'If you want to understand, it's really obvious' – USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino responds to Christian Pulisic, eager to move past off-field drama

Jamaica v United States: Quarterfinals - Leg Two - 2024 Concacaf Nations League

The U.S. head coach explained his reason behind Pulisic's absence in the friendlies as he looked to finally put the subject to bed

Mauricio Pochettino USMNT vs Switzerland

WHAT HAPPENED?

Mauricio Pochettino has responded to Christian Pulisic’s recent interview, in which the U.S. star revealed he had asked to join the national team for the initial phase of this summer’s schedule.

“With Christian, he explained that he wanted to be involved in the two games and, knowing that, I respect and understand him,” Pochettino said. “I understand him, but I don’t need him to understand our decisions."

He added, "My position is that I am 53 with a lot of experience in football, and I was a player before I was a coach. If you want to understand this, it’s really obvious. It’s easy to understand that I wanted a roster to prepare in those two games because, for me, the Gold Cup is a very important competition. It’s not a problem because you need to listen and communicate.”

Speaking to CBS on Friday, Pulisic revealed he had asked to feature in the two friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland before stepping away for rest ahead of the European season.

Pochettino, however, opted to leave the winger out entirely, preferring to keep a consistent group for both the friendlies and the Gold Cup.

In his interview, Pulisic said he didn’t understand the coach’s decision. On Saturday, Pochettino clarified in a pre-match press conference that players don’t always need to understand every choice he makes as head coach.

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WHAT POCHETTINO SAID

Pochettino continued to explain his decision and insisted it should be up to the national team to analyze player's fitness.

"Players don't need to understand or not understand that," Pochettino said. "Players need to listen and stick with our plan. They cannot dictate the plan because, if so, then we'd invert positions, no? It is obvious, and the most important thing is that we explain. We explained why we decided not to include him [Pulisic] in the two friendlies, and then if you have some problems, it's not a problem if you understand or don't understand.

"I think it's so clear that we say that we want to start training with the same group for two friendly games, and it's up to us to assess, to analyze if you need rest or not. We have a group of professionals in performance, doctors, coaches, all in the federation, that can assess it. We assessed Sergino [Dest], we spoke with Sergino, and we decided not to include him in the Gold Cup and not in the two games."

Pulisic USMNT 2024

THE BIGGER PICTURE

During his interview, Pulisic said he hadn’t spoken to Mauricio Pochettino since the decision was made for the AC Milan winger to miss this summer’s matches. Pochettino offered an explanation, emphasizing that he avoids showing favoritism and relies heavily on his staff to scout players with their club teams.

The USMNT boss also said his door is always open and that, in his view, all players - including Pulisic - are on equal footing.

“The communication is good with him, just like with any other,” Pochettino said. “I have the same communication with him as with others. I do not prioritize. You can see he's the best player and, yes, he's a good player, but he needs to perform, and I'm not going to treat him differently than, say, Diego [Luna]. If he performs well, then he's the best and he'll have a place with the national team, but it's not that players are here because they want to play, or want this or want that."

While he wouldn't dive into specifics, Pochettino insists his communication with Pulisic is fine.

“When I signed my contract with the federation, I am the head coach. I am not a mannequin, but this is how we are and that is my culture about football. I know that the communication has gone very well because, in March, I was talking a lot about the World Cup, a lot about the different things that I'm not going to discuss because, for me, it's private. But, yes, I have good communication with him.”

United States v Turkey - International Friendly

WHAT NEXT FOR THE USMNT?

The USMNT will kick off the Gold Cup on Sunday against Trinidad and Tobago, and Pochettino is hoping that the start of the tournament will now allow everyone to move on from all of the recent off-field drama.

"We are content with our decision," Pochettino said. "Our decision was to prepare for the Gold Cup and give the opportunity to the players who are going to be involved in the Gold Cup, and to prepare for this tournament.

"Yes, now we need to move on. I think it's a lot of noise, but it's not affecting us because I think we are so focused on this Gold Cup."