Christian Pulisic’s relationship with U.S. men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino hasn’t wavered since the American star missed the CONCACAF Gold Cup. In fact, the relationship has likely improved following Pulisic’s latest performance in Tuesday’s home friendly vs. Japan.
Pulisic assisted on the USMNT’s second goal at Lower.com Field in a 2-0 victory over No. 17-ranked Japan. The 26-year-old played 66 minutes in the match, logging his second-straight start of the September window.
Pulisic received ample criticism this summer from former USMNT players after requesting rest from international duty instead of being part of the Gold Cup roster. In an interview with CBS Sports’ Golazo Network, Pulisic later revealed that he offered to play in the pair of June friendlies but had his offer declined by Pochettino, who wanted one final roster for both sets of matches.
After earning his 80th international cap on Tuesday, Pulisic admitted that there is zero drama between him and Pochettino.
“We have good conversations,” Pulisic told reporters postmatch on Tuesday of his relationship with Pochettino. “Honestly. Probably what you guys experience and what the media sees is a bit not exactly what we experience. Things are good. We spoke. We had a normal camp and everything is good between us, good between the team.
“There’s probably not as much drama as you guys think there is,” he added.
Pulisic remains one of the key leaders in the USMNT squad heading into the final eight months of World Cup preparation. The AC Milan star has played a large role for his club over the past two seasons and is hoping to carry that production over to the USMNT in what will be the second World Cup appearance of his international career.
While other players took centerstage for the USMNT during the Gold Cup, Pulisic showed his importance in a much-needed Top-25 victory in Columbus. Pulisic reaffirmed his commitment to the program, believing there were no steps back in this window.
“I love this team. It’s everything to me,” Pulisic said. “I’ve been here for quite a long time. I’m getting to see some new guys, getting to bond with some old players. Even seeing [Cristian] Roldan again, it’s so cool for me.
“For me personally, I don’t feel like a step was lost,” he added.
Pochettino became the eighth head coach in USMNT history to reach double-digit wins in charge of the program, moving his record to 10–1-8 overall. The Argentine has faced much adversity in his year in charge, even challenging the fanbase to support the team, regardless of the result.
Pulisic has praised his growing relationship with Pochettino, voicing their unity in helping the USMNT be as best as they can be.
“Obviously, national team can be tough because you don’t spend day-to-day together,” Pulisic said. “So I think in the camps we’ve come in, got to know each other and starting to just, yeah, learn each other, learn the team, and, yeah, how we can both help each other as best we can to go forward and try to win. So, I’d say it’s good.”