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'We could have been more unified ' - Clint Dempsey questions U.S. Soccer over handling of Christian Pulisic's Gold Cup absence, claims USMNT drama was avoidable

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National team legend Clint Dempsey questioned U.S. Soccer's communication and approach regarding Christian Pulisic's absence from the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer.<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6448184/2025/06/26/clint-dempsey-pulisic-usmnt-podcast/" target="_self"></a>When Pulisic was not included in Mauricio Pochettino's roster for the summer tournament, U.S. Soccer released a statement, with sporting director Matt Crocker saying, "Christian and his team approached the Federation and the coaching staff about the possibility of stepping back this summer, given the amount of matches he has played in the past two years at both the club and international level with very little break."Since the announcement in late May, the decision was criticized by multiple former USMNT players, including <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/christian-pulisic-blasted-missing-international-duty-usmnt-legend-landon-donovan-cristiano-ronaldo-comparison-portugal-uefa-nations-league/blt0822eb0e742f571a" target="_self">Landon Donovan,</a> <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/live-up-to-the-hype-alexi-lalas-questions-christian-pulisic-s-usmnt-absence-says-expectations-rise-for-ac-milan-star-and-he-needs-to-respond-ahead-of-world-cup/blta041d8c1f481f217" target="_self">Alexi Lalas</a>, Tim Howard, and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/usmnt-legend-clint-dempsey-criticizes-former-teammate-landon-donovan-on-2013-sabbatical/blt559b6a3bfb151718" target="_self">Dempsey himself.</a>Pulisic subsequently made an attempt to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/that-s-way-out-of-line-christian-pulisic-hits-back-at-usmnt-legends-landon-donovan-tim-howard-amid-criticism-about-out-gold-cup-withdrawal/blta66475f5f4299963#cs71c45859aec9dd8d" target="_self">clear things up</a>, but only added another layer to the conversation, saying he <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/they-only-wanted-one-roster-usmnt-star-christian-pulisic-says-mauricio-pochettino-declined-offer-to-play-in-pre-gold-cup-friendlies/blt96c9365fe72fd33c" target="_self">asked to play in two June friendlies but was turned away.</a> That <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/usmnt-boss-mauricio-pochettino-responds-to-christian-pulisic/blt1a8dd6e300ce69cf" target="_self">prompted a response from Pochettino</a>, while multiple first-team players, such as Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams, also chimed in to defend Pulisic.<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6448184/2025/06/26/clint-dempsey-pulisic-usmnt-podcast/" target="_blank">Speaking to The Athletic</a>, Dempsey said that was all avoidable had the federation communicated differently and the two parties had aligned with their messaging.“Why wasn’t there a way that we could have been more unified in the messaging that’s going out to the public?" Dempsey said. "You have one of the best players for the national team, and if it had been England, if Harry Kane was missing a tournament or the Nations League or World Cup qualifying, there would be people asking questions.“It’s important to be unified and to have that conversation. Then there’s no back and forth looking like two people are at odds with each other, especially a year out from the World Cup. It could have been handled better. Still, the best way to solve problems - whether you get a red card in the game or you do something stupid - is to get back on the pitch and let your play do the talking for you.”Dempsey, who represented the USMNT 140 times, had previously revealed he once had an injection in his adductor to play for the USMNT, and that he would do whatever it takes to represent his country. The now 42-year-old was asked if players are accountable for their actions in such moments.“You would like to think you have a good enough relationship with your teammates that you could put a call in and ask, ‘Hey, what’s going on? Is there something I can do for you? We need you in this tournament.' At the same time, for me, it was never a question if I was going to go into the national team and play,” Dempsey said. “Whether it was Gold Cup, World Cup qualifying, the Confederations Cup, Copa America, the World Cup, I wanted to be there because as a kid, I dreamed about representing my country.“I knew that there were a lot of kids where I am from that didn’t make it. You’re representing for them, your town, your city, your state, your country. So everybody’s going through different things. Everybody’s dealing with different injuries and different things mentally. I’m not privy to those conversations to know what’s going on."The drama was exacerbated by the fact the USMNT had lost four straight matches entering the Gold Cup.“What’s made this situation difficult is what happened with Copa America when we did not get out of the group stage, then losing to Panama and Canada in Nations League and then the four losses in a row, the worst streak we’d had in a long time," he said. "It put more pressure on this Gold Cup. There are not many opportunities left after this for meaningful games, and you want to try to get things right.”

WHAT HAPPENED?

Pulisic played more than 3,500 minutes for AC Milan this past season as the Rossoneri competed in the UEFA Champions League, Serie A, and domestic competitions. In his interview with CBS, the 26-year-old claimed his mind and body "started talking" to him, and that the best course of action was to ensure he was fit for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Dempsey believes it could have been handled better, and perhaps, more privately.“It shows there’s a climate where people care,” Dempsey said. “I’m not trying to be a part of the drama. You’re asking me my opinion, and I’m giving you how I look at things. In terms of the Christian situation, all I think is U.S. Soccer could have been more unified about how that gets out to the public... you never want to get in a situation where it’s tit for tat."Everybody wants the same thing: to have the U.S. playing well. We want to be excited. I’d like to focus more on the positives of the new faces. They’re gonna be in this Gold Cup, they’re gonna push to get into the lineup and get this fanbase and team back on track to being inspired because we are one year out from the greatest tournament.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The former U.S. striker added that he believes development with the current USMNT group has become stagnant, and that the young core that carried them into the knockout round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup was the last real sense of growth from young prospects within the program.“You’ve had this new talent, you’ve developed it so far, but then where’s this next young talent that’s coming up and pushing these guys and having competition for spots?" he said. "That would create an environment where you have to look over your shoulder and be on your game to make sure that someone’s not taking your spot.”

WHAT DEMPSEY SAID ABOUT USMNT

The USMNT are currently competing at the Gold Cup, topping their group. They <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/mauricio-pochettino-s-usmnt-set-to-face-costa-rica-in-2025-gold-cup-quarterfinals/blt5a3a77d7d5f712df" target="_self">will play Costa Rica in the quarterfinals</a> on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

WHAT NEXT?

'We could have been more unified ' - Clint Dempsey questions U.S. Soccer over handling of Christian Pulisic's Gold Cup absence, claims USMNT drama was avoidable | Goal.com

Dempsey said that drama was avoidable had the federation communicated differently and the two parties had aligned messaging

&apos;We could have been more unified &apos; - Clint Dempsey questions U.S. Soccer over handling of Christian Pulisic&apos;s Gold Cup absence, claims USMNT drama was avoidable

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