Alexi Lalas lays into Christian Pulisic for snubbing the Gold Cup

The US Men’s National Team is gearing up for a turbulent summer, one marked by heightened pressure and expectations following their recent failure in the Concacaf Nations League.

Mauricio Pochettino and his squad are well aware of the need to secure the Gold Cup, making this summer’s Concacaf tournament a crucial benchmark for the national team as they prepare to host the World Cup next year.

Pulisic puts rest ahead of summer tournament

However, Pochettino will have to navigate several challenges, chief among them the absence of his captain, Christian Pulisic. The star winger has opted for rest, declining his call-up for this summer’s Gold Cup - a decision confirmed by both US Soccer and Pochettino himself.

Pulisic’s decision has sparked criticism within the USMNT community, particularly from former players. Among them is Alexi Lalas, who strongly questioned the captain’s absence during a pivotal moment for Team USA on his podcast State of the Union.

“I don’t understand how a player turns down the chance to represent his country when it needs him most, especially at such a crucial time. This is a tough blow for Pulisic’s image and for the team—when they need a positive presence, this summer should have been the perfect opportunity to build experience ahead of the World Cup,” Lalas said.

Lalas uses Messi as an example

Continuing his criticism of Pulisic, Lalas argued that the “Captain America” made the wrong decision by skipping this summer with the USMNT. He compared him to Lionel Messi, emphasizing that despite the heavy match schedule throughout his career, Messi has consistently chosen to represent Argentina in crucial moments.

“I played in a different era, but there’s no denying that the times I competed in were tough. The challenges we faced back then don’t compare to the opportunities, comforts, and assurances that players have today. Yes, they play a lot of matches—but you know what? So does Messi, and he’s never refused to play for his national team,” Lalas added.

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