Pulisic does not appear on the call-up list for the friendlies against Peru, Chile, Mexico, and Canada. The U.S. Federation did not report an injury or present his absence as a medical withdrawal. For that reason, the distinction is key: Pulisic did not drop off the list during camp, but rather was omitted directly by Pochettino.

The manager decided to begin the new cycle with other attackers and award minutes to less experienced players. As a result, the team loses its main playmaker, set-piece taker, and focal point in attack.

Other major USA absences

Weston McKennie represents the other high-profile absence in the starting lineup. The Juventus midfielder was omitted from the roster as well and, like Pulisic, does not feature among the injury drops announced afterward.

Another notable absence for Pochettino’s side is Folarin Balogun, who also missed the matchup against Mexico. The forward failed to make the roster after coming off an injury and seeing limited action at the start of the season with Monaco.

The attack faces a complicated situation, as Pepi was called up instead of Balogun. Unlike Pepi, Balogun did not have to leave camp because he was never included on the initial list, and his absence was confirmed from the moment Pochettino made his roster announcement.

Ricardo Pepi’s case is different. The PSV striker appeared on the original roster, but suffered an injury during a match against Twente and was forced to leave camp.

Key takeaways

• Christian Pulisic was omitted directly by Mauricio Pochettino from the roster.
• Weston McKennie was omitted from the roster as another major absence.
• Ricardo Pepi left camp after suffering an injury against Twente.

Pulisic was omitted from Mauricio Pochettino’s 28-man roster for the USMNT’s four matches. The 28-year-old’s absence is something of a mystery. Though he was injured at the World Cup and missed much of AC Milan’s preseason, Pulisic has been back in the mix with his club for well over a month.

Pulisic was an unused substitute for the team’s opening three Serie A matches before featuring in the team’s last three games across all competitions. He got his first start and scored his first goal of the season in a 3-0 win against Lecce on Sunday, Sept. 20.

Key figures who must step up for the USMNT

If there is one piece around which the match can be organized, it is Tyler Adams. The midfielder played 87 minutes in the USA’s victory against Peru and proved vital in sustaining American pressure, closing down spaces, and providing balance to a midfield filled with far more attack-minded players.

His role could prove even more critical against Chile. Marcelino Nunez, Vicente Pizarro, and Cesar Perez form a midfield trio that looks to combine through the center before finding space to advance. Adams will have to read those movements, prevent their midfielders from receiving comfortably, and keep the match from turning into a series of constant stoppages.

Who should capitalize on Pulisic’s absence

Pulisic‘s absence represents an ideal opportunity for those stepping in to replace him. Meanwhile, the absence of Gabriel Suazo and Lucas Cepeda leaves Chile with a distinct weakness on their left side, as both are suspended, allowing the USA to target that area.

Here is where Justin Ellis appears, who needed just four minutes to score against Peru. His speed and ability to attack open space could prove especially useful against a defense forced to reorganize. His connection with Alex Freeman can add another dimension to the attack, as the fullback can overlap to create two-on-one situations, while Antonee Robinson provides depth down the opposite flank with his power and low crosses.

Key takeaways

• A 28-man roster omitted Christian Pulisic for four upcoming USMNT matches.
• 87 minutes were played by Tyler Adams in a victory against Peru.
• Four minutes were needed for Justin Ellis to score against Peru.

Christian Pulisic is not playing in the USA vs. Peru friendly because head coach Mauricio Pochettino left him off the roster to evaluate younger players for the new World Cup cycle and manage his recovery from a World Cup injury. It’s a matter of health and focus.

Pulisic suffered an injury during the World Cup which ended up being a leg microfracture. He has been ramping up action and regaining minutes and momentum for club AC Milan ever since. Another Serie A player like Weston McKennie is also not playing for the USMNT vs Peru.

Pulisic wasn’t the only veteran to be left out of USMNT list

Folarin Balogun won’t play for the USMNT vs Peru either. This is a very new list for Pochettino compared to what he called up for the World Cup. Ricardo Pepi had to withdraw from the team after suffering an injury with PSV, too. This is the full list of big stars that aren’t attending this USMNT window:

• Christian Pulisic
• Weston McKennie
• Folarin Balogun
• Ricardo Pepi

Who will replace Pulisic vs Peru?

Cole Campbell is a leading candidate to fill Pulisic’s spot in the left wing. Campbell, who is a 20-year-old player for SV Elversberg. This could be a golden opportunity for him to start showing off his talents to Mauricio Pochettino.

Elversberg paid a club-record €6 million transfer fee to sign him from Borussia Dortmund in July 2026 to secure regular first-team minutes. Known for his quick pace, elite dribbling, agility, and creativity on the ball, Campbell is one to watch.

Key takeaways

• Christian Pulisic will miss the USMNT friendly vs. Peru to evaluate younger talent.
• Ricardo Pepi withdrew from the squad after sustaining an injury with PSV.
• Cole Campbell of SV Elversberg could step in Pulisic’s place.

Pulisic’s omission from today’s starting XI is purely tactical; he is not nursing an injury. Given Milan‘s squad depth, Amorim elected to hand the start to Omari Hutchinson on the wing instead.

Pulisic has yet to establish himself as a central figure under Amorim this season. His only appearance so far came as a substitute in last week’s 2-2 Serie A draw against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico.

With TV details and kickoff times locked in for U.S. viewers, Milan and Benfica are primed to deliver a compelling spectacle on the pitch in Milan. The matchup carries immense European pedigree, bringing together two iconic clubs with rich continental histories seeking a strong start to their group-stage campaign.

Confirmed lineup for Milan

Without Pulisic in the starting side—but with veteran Luka Modric wearing the captain’s armband—Milan aim to kick off their quest for the Europa League title on the right foot. Here is how the Rossoneri will line up against Benfica:

• Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan
• Defenders: Filippo Terracciano, Koni De Winter, Strahinja Pavlovic
• Midfielders: Samuel Chukwueze, Yunus Musah, Ardon Jashari, Davide Bartesaghi
• Attacking Midfielders: Omari Hutchinson, Alphadjo Cisse
• Forward: Goncalo Ramos

Depending on how the match unfolds, Pulisic could prove to be a crucial option off the bench as Milan pursue their first three points of the group stage. The American winger already has one assist and one yellow card to his name in Serie A play this season.

The manager recently told the press that Pulisic will come on at some point during the match, although he would prefer not to have him play the full 90 minutes. The reason? He wants the forward to be at 100% both physically and on the pitch, as he considers him a very important player for the team.

“He’ll play a few minutes [vs Lazio]. I like him a lot as a player. He’s angry because he has zero minutes so far, and I like that quality in my players. Don’t forget that he had an injury in the summer and then in the first training session he took a knock and had to stop.

“I won’t take out someone who’s doing well just to put in a ‘name’: that’s my way of managing the group and I’ll die by those principles. Pulisic is very important to me,” Amorim said via Milan News‘ Antonio Vitiello.

Milan’s confirmed XI vs Lazio

Milan will be looking to secure three valuable points at the Stadio Olimpico, despite facing a historic rival in Lazio. Ruben Amorim will field this starting XI as he looks to achieve that goal.

Mike Maignan; Mario Gila, Koni de Winter, Strahinja Pavlovic; Samuel Chukwueze, Luka Modric, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Pervis Estupinan; Adrien Rabiot, Alphadjo Cisse; Goncalo Ramos.

What’s next for Milan?

The start of the season has been promising for Milan, and the Rossoneri aim to be contenders in every competition. Here are the upcoming fixtures they have ahead of them beyond Lazio:

• vs Benfica, UEFA Europa League – Matchday 1 (September 16)
• vs Lecce, Serie A – Matchday 5 (September 20)
• at Sassuolo, Serie A – Matchday 6 (October 11)
• at RB Salzburg, UEFA Europa League – Matchday 2 (October 15)
• vs Atalanta, Serie A – Matchday 7 (October 15)

Pulisic suffered a bone bruise and a microfracture in his lower leg during the United States’ World Cup match vs. Belgium on July 6. Since then, he hasn’t played a single minute of soccer action.

He returned to full group training in mid-August, but he has been rushing back into shape. However, given how important a game against Juventus is, AC Milan coach Ruben Amorim could clearly see him as an enticing substitute. For Juventus, Weston McKennie isn’t playing against AC Milan. Hence, American soccer players are not in display.

Pulisic’s big drought is a story on its own

Since arriving at AC Milan, Pulisic has made a name for himself by scoring plenty and also when the team needs him the most. However, all forwards face a drought every once in a while and that’s what has happened to Pulisic.

The last goal Pulisic scored for ‘Il diavolo‘ was on December 28, 2025 against Hellas Verona. As of now, his club drought spans 252 days. He didn’t score a single goal in the entire second half of the 2025–26 Serie A campaign.

Both Juventus and AC Milan are in good form

Juventus and AC Milan started the 2026-27 Serie A with good form. Both teams have won their respective two matches, albeit leaving very different impressions on how they perform.

Juventus barely beat Frosinone and then did enough to get Parma as well. Having said that, the team is not at its full potential. Ruben Amorim started his Milan era beating Torino away from home and then comfortably beating Venezia at San Siro. This is a game where the winner will leave fully motivated for what’s to come.

Pulisic was forced off in the 59th minute after colliding with a Belgian defender while attempting to shoot on goal. The AC Milan star immediately showed signs of discomfort and was unable to continue.

According to the USMNT, subsequent medical examinations revealed that the injury is less severe than initially feared, offering encouraging news for both the player and his club ahead of the 2026-27 season.

What happened to Christian Pulisic in 2026 World Cup?

Christian Pulisic suffered a bone bruise and a microfracture during the USA loss against Belgium in Seattle. This is the full report from the USMNT after medical examinations.

“Christian Pulisic has been diagnosed with a microfracture and bone bruise of the tibia/fibula in his right leg suffered during the match against Belgium. U.S. Soccer and AC Milan will be collaborating on his recovery plan.”

Pulisic’s injury occurred during a promising attacking move for the USMNT. As he prepared to strike the ball toward goal, his foot made contact with the foot of a Belgian opponent. The impact immediately affected his ability to continue, and he was eventually substituted in the 59th minute.

How serious is Christian Pulisic’s injury?

According to a report from The Athletic, this is Pulisic’s projected recovery timeline: “The estimated timeframe for Pulisic’s recovery puts him on track to return sometime in August, meaning he could be back in training ahead of the new Serie A season.”

The diagnosis comes as reassuring news for Pulisic and AC Milan, as there had been concerns that the injury could be much more serious and potentially threaten the beginning of his 2026-27 club season.

Among many things, Pulisic made a promise, calling this lesson only the beginning for the sport of soccer in the United States. Although Pulisic downplayed the injury he suffered against Belgium, he did admit disappointment with how the 2026 World Cup ended.

That same disappointment was echoed by U.S. icon Landon Donovan regarding Pulisic’s performance. Still, after taking a few days to process and digest a packed summer, Pulisic took to social media with a message for the fans and the rest of the world.

“Tough to find the words. I want to start by saying thank you to everyone who believe. The support carried us all the way through. It simply wasn’t good enough from us in the end and I wanted to deliver so much more,” Pulisic’s message on his Instagram read. “I still feel blessed to be a part of this team. The memories this summer will last a lifetime. It’s just the start for us and for this sport in America.”

Pulisic’s numbers at 2026 World Cup

Pulisic appeared in four games at the 2026 World Cup. He didn’t complete any of them. Although it must be noted he played 87 minutes in the Round of 32 against Bosnia and Herzegovina, so he virtually played the full 90 minutes. In the remaining three, however, he was either subbed off with an injury (against Paraguay and Belgium) or subbed in (against Turkiye). Through those four appearances, Pulisic recorded only one assist.

In soccer, however, great performances may be lost in the stat sheet. In Pulisic’s case, he did put together a great first half against Paraguay in the tournament opener. However, he was subbed off at halftime with a lower-body setback, and that was essentially all she wrote for his campaign.

Pulisic didn’t come close to matching that level for the rest of the 2026 World Cup, and it was extremely painful as a nation rallied behind the USMNT while its biggest star looked a gear off.

Focus shifts onto next World Cup

There’s nothing to be done now, and the USMNT must shift its focus to the CONCACAF Gold Cup and World Cup qualifiers, as the next World Cup won’t be until 2030, and the USA isn’t guaranteed to make it.

Pulisic will be 31 at the 2030 World Cup. There’s a scenario in which it could be his last or second to last. Either way, his opportunities are running short, and he squandered his best yet.

As he mentioned that soccer is only writing its first chapters in the USA, he will surely want to have a bigger say in them going forward. Or maybe he will only plant the seed of a tree he won’t see blossom—at least not as a USMNT player.

It’s too late for the USA now. Although the USMNT will receive prize money for reaching the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, it will be little consolation for the broken hearts across the country. Among those left disappointed and hoping for better from Pulisic and the Stars and Stripes was legendary forward Landon Donovan.

“In the end, [Pulisic] is your best player, he is your star, and it just didn’t happen for him. It’s just disappointing. I was waiting for a moment from him, something special, something spectacular, and it just didn’t happen,” Donovan said in a recent episode of his podcast, Unfiltered Soccer, with Tim Howard.

Injuries doomed Pulisic’s World Cup

After a great first half against Paraguay in the tournament opener, Pulisic was subbed off at halftime with a lower-body injury. He went on to miss the game against Australia before appearing in the second half of the USMNT’s loss to Turkiye to close out Group D.

Pulisic played against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32, but his performance flew under the radar. Instead, striker Folarin Balogun and German-born midfielder Malik Tillman stole the spotlight and led the Stars and Stripes to victory. One of the players born outside the United States led the USMNT to the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup.

However, that would be as far as the United States would go, despite playing at home and having FIFA cancel Balogun’s red-card suspension, amid an admission from FIFA president Gianni Infantino that U.S. President Donald Trump called about the suspension. Pulisic was subbed off during the Round of 16 game against Belgium, in which the Stars and Stripes suffered their worst loss in a long time, sounding the death knell for their hopes and dreams at the 2026 World Cup.

What’s next?

From now on, the USMNT will have to watch as the tournament unfolds on home soil, while Pulisic will bear the weight of harsh criticism from sea to shining sea. With the United States eliminated, they will have to wait for the next World Cup, which will be in 2030. For the time being, there’s much work to be done.

“Pulisic will be important for us, I believe in him,” the new manager said via Fabrizio Romano on X. Which team was Captain America linked with? Rumors suggested that MLS side New York City had set their sights on him.

Pulisic has been a key figure for the Rossoneri in recent years, and now, under this new management, he will once again lead the attack. Amorim, who arrives for this new challenge in Serie A, also wants to retain Luka Modric: “I want Modrić to stay, I spoke to Luka and if needed… I will go get him in person! I want Modrić with us this season.”

Both players had active roles in the World Cup, with Team USA being eliminated in the Round of 16, while The Vatreni were knocked out in the Round of 32. Will Amorim ultimately be able to keep them together at AC Milan for a little longer?

What is Pulisic’s injury status?

The heavy defeat suffered by the USMNT against Belgium, a 4-1 loss, not only resulted in their elimination but also saw Christian Pulisic leave the field with an injury. “I just totally twisted my ankle and my knee in one play,” he revealed.

At the time, manager Mauricio Pochettino decided to sub the player off to avoid worsening the situation. Now, with more time to rest and a good recovery, everything indicates that Pulisic will be available for his club soon.

Pulisic’s numbers at AC Milan

Christian Pulisic officially arrived at AC Milan on July 13, 2023, transferring from Chelsea. Since making his debut with the Rossoneri, the American winger has become a key figure in the squad, completing 100 appearances and scoring 31 goals in Serie A play.

“I just totally twisted my ankle and my knee in one play,” Pulisic explained. “I mean, whatever. I have time to rest. It’s just an unfortunate way to finish.” The raw emotion of his comments mirrored the widespread heartbreak surrounding the Americans’ early exit, a reality that clearly set in for the captain after he was forced to the sidelines midway through the second half.

“I felt really good this summer with the guys and I thought my level was high. Yeah, it’s disappointing. I didn’t quite have the moments I was hoping to try to help us really push and get over this next step of beating a really good team. I’m disappointed with myself, of course, but I’m going to try to stay positive. I did a lot of good things and the team did as well,” Pulisic remarked, reflecting on the program’s missed opportunity to break through on the world stage.

The blowout exit was a jarring conclusion for the USMNT that had shown real promise during the group stage. Ultimately, Belgium’s ruthless, clinical finishing exposed a disorganized American side, which failed to capitalize on the massive pre-match boost of having Folarin Balogun’s suspension lifted by FIFA just in time for the knockout clash.

Pulisic’s World Cup campaign beset by injuries

Pulisic’s 2026 World Cup campaign with the USMNT was heavily compromised by unfortunate physical setbacks. The AC Milan forward was carefully managed through a calf injury early on, featuring as a halftime substitute in the opening 4–1 win against Paraguay—where he provided an assist—before starting against Türkiye and Bosnia and Herzegovina as the USMNT navigated its way to the knockout stages.

His tournament came to a frustrating end during the Round of 16 elimination match against Belgium in Seattle. Pulisic suffered a combined right ankle and knee sprain during a heavy 52nd-minute tackle and was forced off the pitch in the 59th minute, shortly before Belgium took total control to secure their comfortable 4–1 victory.

Ultimately, injuries prevented the US talisman from finding his peak form or anchoring the frontline consistently. He concluded the home tournament with four total appearances, 225 minutes on the pitch, zero goals, and one assist.