Why isn’t Pulisic playing in the friendly match between USMNT and Slovenia?

USMNT key man Christian Pulisic is one of a whole host of major names who will play no part in the Stars and Stripes’ opening game of 2024, which sees Gregg Berhalter’s men face Slovenia in a friendly in San Antonio on Saturday.

AC Milan forward Pulisic, who on Thursday was named US Soccer’s Male Player of the Year for 2023, has been left out of a squad that is also missing Europe-based USMNT regulars such as Weston McKennie, Sergiño Dest, Yunus Musah and Folarin Balogun.

Berhalter goes with inexperienced, US-based squad

This weekend’s game falls outside of FIFA’s official international windows, so with clubs not obliged to release star names, Berhalter has instead picked a raft of uncapped players in a roster made up entirely of footballers who ply their trade in Major League Soccer. Unlike European leagues, MLS is currently in its off season.

All but seven members of Berhalter’s squad have never made a senior international appearance, and only three - Miles Robinson, Shaq Moore and James Sands - have accrued 10 or more caps. Moore is the only player in the 23-man roster that went to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

“A perfect opportunity” to give new faces a chance

The USMNT has regularly used January friendlies to blood new internationals. Tyler Adams, Brenden Aaronson and Walker Zimmerman are among the current regulars who were given their debuts in previous new year fixtures.

“I think this is a perfect opportunity to reward players with strong MLS seasons and bring them into camp and see what they can do,” Berhalter told reporters ahead of Saturday’s game in Texas.

Slovenia head coach Matjaz Kek has also named an inexperienced squad, with captain Jan Oblak among the major figures absent from a group that includes 16 uncapped players.

USMNT squad to face Slovenia:

Goalkepeers: Drake Callender (Inter Miami), Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew)

Defenders: Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union), DeJuan Jones (New England Revolution), Shaq Moore (Nashville SC), Ian Murphy (FC Cincinnati), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), James Sands (New York City FC), Nkosi Tafari (FC Dallas), John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls), Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United)

Midfielders: Joshua Atencio (Seattle Sounders), Aziel Jackson (St. Louis City), Jack McGlynn (Philadelphia Union), Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew), Timmy Tillman (LAFC), Sean Zawadzki (Columbus Crew)

Forwards: Esmir Bajraktarevic (New England Revolution), Bernard Kamungo (FC Dallas), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Duncan McGuire (Orlando City), Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps)

USMNT vs Slovenia: when, where, how to watch?

The international friendly between the USMNT and Slovenia will be played at Toyota Field in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday 20 January 2024. Kick-off is scheduled for 3pm ET/12 noon PT.

In the US, the game will be broadcast by Telemundo, Universo, TNT USA, Max and Peacock.

And you can enjoy the USMNT vs Slovenia on the streaming platform fuboTV, which offers users a free trial.

Get more news on the USMNT in our dedicated soccer section.