USMNT manager’s pointed words for Christian Pulisic over Gold Cup controversy

U.S. Men’s National Team boss Mauricio Pochettino isn’t letting a single player “dictate the plan” he has for the American squad, even if that player is Christian Pulisic. 

The ongoing controversy surrounding Pulisic’s absence from the squad after deciding not to play in this summer’s Gold Cup has been the focal point of American soccer. 

It’s led to a number of former USMNT players, most notably Landon Donovan, to criticise Pulisic, who has said he’s taking a step back after a grueling season with his club team, AC Milan.

Pulisic added to the controversy when he appeared on CBS Sports Golazo Network last week and revealed that he had wanted to play in a pair of exhibition matches before the Gold Cup, but Pochettino declined the request, wanting to play the same squad all summer. 

The American soccer star said he had understood that it was a “coach’s decision” and that “I fully respect that,” but Pulisic added that he “didn’t understand it.” 

That didn’t seem to bother Pochettino. 

“Players don’t need to understand,” Pochettino said, according to Fox Sports. “Players need to listen and to stick with our plan. They cannot dictate the plan.

“He explained why he only wanted to be involved in two games and not the Gold Cup, and I respect that. I understand him. But I do need that he understands our decision. When I signed my contract with the [U.S. Soccer] Federation, I am the head coach. I am not a mannequin.”

The dynamic between the new USMNT head coach and one of the biggest stars on the team in Pulisic has added to the already concerning issues surrounding the program as it prepares for the World Cup next year and continues to struggle on the pitch more recently. 

A loss to Switzerland last week sent the US into the Gold Cup on a down note, but it rebounded by beating Trinidad and Tobago 5-0 in its group stage opener on Sunday.

Pulisic had noted in his interview that he had only had one conversation with Pochettino, but the coach brushed that aside, asserting that he tries to maintain the same level of communication with all his players. 

“I love to be in communication with my players,” he said. “I love to communicate, but at the same time, I want to [ensure] that all the players feel the same respect from the coaching staff and from myself.”