Pulisic back on US Roster for September Friendly matches after skipping Concacaf Gold Cup

Christian Pulisic will return to the American national team for friendly matches against South Korea and Japan next month after skipping exhibitions of June and the Concacaf Gold Cup to take free, a decision that led to a spit with coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Pulisic, the best American player, offered to play in friendly matches against Turkey and Switzerland prior to the Gold Cup, but did not want to participate in the tournament, an offer that was rejected by Pochettino.

The 26-year-old played in about 100 club matches during his first two seasons with AC Milan and wanted an extensive break in the summer before the US’s World Cup hosts, a decision criticized by various former American stars.

He was one of the 22 players who were chosen on Tuesday for the matches against South Korea on September 6 in Harrison, New Jersey and Japan three days later in Columbus, Ohio. Another player will be added, the American football federation said.

Defender Sergino Dest was able to play his first national team match in 18 months after recovering a torn ACL on April 20, 2024. Winger Tim Weah is also back after missing the Gold Cup because the FIFA prioritized the player to the World Cup.

Vooruit Josh Sargent and Alejandro Zendejas returned after they had been left from the Gold Cup roster. Sargent scored in the first four games of Norwich.

Targetmen Jonathan Klinsmann and Roman Celentano belong to four players who can make debut, together with defenders Noahkai Banks and Tristan Blackmon. Klinsmann, a son of former coach Jurgen Klinsmann, is accompanied by midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, a son of ex-coach Gregg Berhalter.

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Blackmon, a 29-year-old Vancouver defender, was also tried by Canada.

Goalkeemen Matt Turner and Zack Steffen were surprising omissions, together with defenders Cameron Carter vickers and Joe Scally, midfielders Brenden Aaronson, Johnny Cardoso, Weston Mckennie, Aidan Morris, Yunus Musah and Tanner Tessmann and Voorwaartse Wright.

Several players were bypassed because they were injured or recover from injuries, including left back Antonee Robinson (knee surgery in May), midfielder Malik Tillman (Kalf) and progressive Patrick Agyemang (Hernia Surgery), Folarin Balogun (Ankle) and Ricardo Pepi 29).

Gio Reyna was not admitted after switching to Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday.

With the help of a schedule, the most projected World Cup starters, the US lost from Mexico with 2-1 in the Gold Cup final. Pochettino kept 12 players out of his Gold Cup selection.

Turner was the American starting goalkeeper from 2022 to last spring, but after sparingly playing with his club, Matt Freese was forced during the Gold Cup. Turner has started with three games since his return to the New England of Major League Soccer, a less than his total for Crystal Palace throughout 2024-25.

Steffen, a starter for a large part of the 2022 qualification, has been playing six games for Colorado since returned on July 12 of the right knee operation.

Other Gold Cup players fell were goalkeeper Chris Brady; Defenders Miles Robinson, John Tolkin and Walker Zimmerman; midfielders Quinn Sullivan; And forward Paxten Aaronson and Brian White.

Published August 26, 2025