The Official US Soccer thread

[Lorenzo]

Christian Pulisic's AC Milan decision 'not a good look' claims USMNT legend

Days after being left out of the USMNT roster for the Gold Cup, Christian Pulisic returned to action for AC Milan, much to the frustration of team legend Alexi Lalas

www.themirror.com

alexi lalas is the last person pulisic should be worried about. Lalas probably has a lawn to mow.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

alexi lalas is the last person pulisic should be worried about. Lalas probably has a lawn to mow.

He's not wrong though

I get wanting load management, etc

However, if you ask out of camp - don't run serious minutes in a completely meaningless fixture

I watch a lot of serie A and my lower middle of the pack team has been cycling in youngsters for weeks

I think players schedule are getting too bloated, but this is a bad look - especially from a leader

 

[Lorenzo]

He's not wrong though

I get wanting load management, etc

However, if you ask out of camp - don't run serious minutes in a completely meaningless fixture

I watch a lot of serie A and my lower middle of the pack team has been cycling in youngsters for weeks

I think players schedule are getting too bloated, but this is a bad look - especially from a leader

I think he's obligated to play for Milan though because that's his club team. and Lalas would likely do the same thing if he were ever in that situation. Lalas doesn't have a high horse here. If Lalas wants to criticize one of the MLS guys skipping the gold cup then I guess that's fine. I'd maybe take it more seriously coming from someone like Donovan, but he took sabbaticals and did whatever he wanted to do for his entire career. If anything Donovan is exhibit A of why you don't play every USA campaign because you burn out.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

He's obligated to be there, but under no expectation to play during the last game of the season that has zero implication

With him already talking about load management, Milan could have easily given the game to someone else within the program - it was unnecessary risk from them as well

 

[gmabel830]

Big sigh.. at least a lot of the young'ins got time

 

[SECTION 11]

Thought Freese played well.

 

[Stout]

JFC

 

[Ronin]

That was ugly.

Switzerland 4
USA 0

 

[Stout]

I just read that Pulisic opted out of the GOLD CUP? #### that guy. He should never pull the Stars and Stripes jersey on again.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

This team is a joke - I've never been less interested in the USMNT, something I've always loved.

 

[cardpa]

After watching the debacle last night it's quite evident that the player pool in the US is dismal. There is little to no depth at all. Half the players who took the field to start the match are not capable or just not ready to compete on the international stage. Is it possible that Pochettino is searching for quality depth and has come to the conclusion that even the first squad has holes and he's trying to find capable replacements and is quickly finding out there are none to be found?

This speaks volumes to the US program in general. What are they doing with the U-20 and below teams that there players aren't being coached up enough and what are these coaches doing that there seems to be a lack of development at the lower levels?

Is Pochettino part of the problem. Why was so much space constantly being given to Switzerland? There was certainly a lack of physical play and challenges especially when the US possessed the ball. I recall somewhere in the 70 some minute of the game a US player (don't recall who it was) received a long pass on the deep right flank from Luna and just stood there with the ball for a few seconds instead of challenging the defender who he was one on one with and then simply passed it back.

The defense is still a mess with too many attackers running free because defenders losing track of them. The Switzerland goals came too easy.

 

[cardpa]

I just read that Pulisic opted out of the GOLD CUP? #### that guy. He should never pull the Stars and Stripes jersey on again.

Prima Donna

 

[Ronin]

With 2026 World Cup a year away, the USMNT is directionless

The USMNT has lost four straight games for the first time since 2007, and looked lost in a 4-0 defeat to Switzerland.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[Ronin]

Christian Pulisic: 'I don't regret' skipping Gold Cup, calls some criticism 'way out of line'

Pulisic gave his first interview since opting to rest this summer, a decision that sparked fierce criticism and controversy, including from former USMNT players.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Christian Pulisic: 'I don't regret' skipping Gold Cup, calls some criticism 'way out of line'

Pulisic gave his first interview since opting to rest this summer, a decision that sparked fierce criticism and controversy, including from former USMNT players.

sports.yahoo.com

He can't even pretend to care. So much of that classic US soccer fighting spirit.

 

[Stout]

Christian Pulisic: 'I don't regret' skipping Gold Cup, calls some criticism 'way out of line'

Pulisic gave his first interview since opting to rest this summer, a decision that sparked fierce criticism and controversy, including from former USMNT players.

sports.yahoo.com

Yeah, never again. I never again want to see or hear from this chump. "Oh, I want to play in the friendlies but screw the very important tourney?" And he doesn't understand why Poch is trying to have a unified roster in the run up to the GC? And he wants to skip the GC, leave his team in the lurch, and just slink back for the WC next year? No dude. You don't get to pick and choose. Players the world over go through the same difficulties and most of them would do anything to play for their team in these tournaments.

Just to make my opinion clear, eff that guy

 

[Zeno]

It's getting really hard to root for these guys. There is a serious lack of grit and not much in the way of pride. At least the teams from mid 90's on played with some spirit, even if they were less talented--I would guess teams hated playing the US, probably not the case today.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

It's getting really hard to root for these guys. There is a serious lack of grit and not much in the way of pride. At least the teams from mid 90's on played with some spirit, even if they were less talented--I would guess teams hated playing the US, probably not the case today.

Zero identity.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

Can we beat a vicious Trinidad and Tobago side?

 

[SECTION 11]

I’m growing more optimistic after the dust has settled.

 

[SECTION 11]

I think they need to gamble on finding lighting in a bottle at GK to go any distance in the GC and WC. But I’m actually bullish on the youth.

 

[Ronin]

USA 5-0 Trin & Tob (Jun 15, 2025) Game Analysis - ESPN

Expert recap and game analysis of the United States vs. Trinidad and Tobago Concacaf Gold Cup game from June 15, 2025 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

 

[cardpa]

I was pretty happy with the effort and the run of play in the game. I thought ball movement and runs off the ball were good.

 

[Zeno]

I only got to see the second half of T&T, the US did what they should do to poor teams. They should do the same to Haiti as well.

Saudi is kind of hard to figure out, they didn't look all that good versus Haiti but they played so well last WC that we know there is talent there and they are well coached.

 

[cardpa]

Should be an interesting test for the US team tonight against the Saudi team. Watched Mexico last night and they did not look that impressive. Suriname gave them a game for 70 plus minutes.