Oct. 3, 2026, 11:00 a.m. ET
The U.S. males’s nationwide crew will look to make it three straight wins on Saturday, Oct. 3 when it faces Mexico in Glendale, Arizona.
However the U.S. might be with out considered one of its most impactful gamers in opposition to Mexico in recent times: Christian Pulisic.
Pulisic was omitted from Mauricio Pochettino’s 28-man roster for the USMNT’s 4 matches in September and October.
The U.S. is 2 for 2 to this point in its post-World Cup period, beating Peru 4-1 on Saturday, Sept. 26 earlier than a 4-2 win over Chile three days later.
Pochettino has introduced in numerous new faces as he seems to be to judge a few of the nation’s finest younger prospects. The USMNT coach has already given 12 gamers their first caps on this window, eight of that are youngsters.
However there are additionally numerous veterans on the roster. Pulisic is not amongst them.
The 28-year-old’s absence is one thing of a thriller. Although he was injured on the World Cup and missed a lot of AC Milan’s preseason, Pulisic has been again within the combine along with his membership for nicely over a month.
When given the chance to elucidate Pulisic’s absence from his roster, Pochettino declined to get into specifics.
“There isn’t a level now within the first camp of this new cycle to begin to clarify why one participant [is on the roster] and never one other. As a result of if not, possibly we’ll spend an hour right here. We at all times work to attempt to name the gamers we imagine are the perfect for this roster,” the Argentine mentioned when requested about Pulisic.
Pulisic has loved numerous signature moments in opposition to El Tri through the years. His penalty in additional time was the winner within the 2021 Concacaf Nations League last, securing a memorable 3-2 victory.
He additionally scored the winner in a 2-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Mexico in 2021. After his purpose, Pulisic lifted his jersey as much as reveal a shirt that learn “Man within the Mirror” – a reference to Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who mentioned earlier than the sport that the USMNT needed to “mirror” itself after Mexico.
Pulisic additionally scored a brace in opposition to Mexico within the 2023 Nations League semifinal, a 3-0 win for the USMNT that featured 4 whole crimson playing cards.
However the star ahead has but to play Mexico since Pochettino took over. He missed a pleasant loss in October 2024 attributable to “load administration,” whereas he additionally opted out of the 2025 Gold Cup to relaxation after a protracted membership season with AC Milan. The USMNT finally fell 2-1 within the last in opposition to Mexico.
