Away from Gold Cup action, Christian Pulisic forms bonds with aspiring young soccer players who motivate him
In a surprising turn of events, US Men's National Team star Christian Pulisic decided to pass up the 2022 Gold Cup, citing the need for rest and injury prevention. The decision, which sparked debate and criticism, saw Pulisic visiting the Culver City Football Club instead, where he spent time with young players and enjoyed the club's refurbished facilities.
The Culver City Football Club, a non-profit organisation dedicated to ending the pay-for-play model in soccer, recently underwent a makeover, featuring mini indoor and outdoor turf fields, a putting green, and a life-size chess set. Pulisic, who was scheduled to play in the Gold Cup semifinal with Guatemala on Tuesday, was instead in Culver City, California, playing with a group of enthusiastic kids.
Pulisic, the active leader for the US national soccer team in both appearances (78) and goals (35), admitted that he was simply exhausted from playing so much soccer in the past 22 months. He consulted with US Soccer and national team coach Mauricio Pochettino before making his decision.
The decision led to a public disagreement with Pochettino, who rejected Pulisic's offer to participate in two pre-Gold Cup friendlies but not the tournament itself. Pochettino emphasised that players "cannot dictate the plan," asserting his authority as head coach over squad decisions.
Pulisic faced criticism from some former US soccer figures, notably Landon Donovan, who expressed frustration at players skipping important national team tournaments like the Gold Cup, viewing it as a commitment issue. In response, Pulisic firmly defended his decision and commitment to the national team, calling critics questioning his dedication "way out of line."
The impact on Pulisic's public image was mixed. Some saw his opting out as a lack of national team commitment or as prioritizing personal or club interests over country. Others, including AC Milan fans and some analysts, understood his need for rest due to his injury history and respected his professionalism in managing his career longevity.
Meanwhile, young players like Cameron Carr, a 9-year-old player, and Arih Akwafei, a 6-year-old player, considered Pulisic's visit to be a very big deal. Carr expressed happiness about Pulisic taking time to meet with the kids, despite some critics demanding he practice with the national team.
Pulisic's visit to the Culver City Football Club was priceless for the club's president and CEO, Krist Colocho. The play space Pulisic visited is the second Christian Pulisic Stomping Grounds facility in the US, with plans to build a third in Texas.
Pulisic, who played a career-high 3,650 minutes in all competitions for AC Milan last season, leading the team with 11 goals and nine assists in Serie A play, plans to be the focus of the US team during the World Cup, which will be played at home. The upcoming tournament will be the first time the US team plays the tournament at home in 32 years, and Pulisic needs a break to rest both body and mind before the big event.
Despite the controversy, Pulisic's passion for soccer remains undiminished. He expressed his passion for the game by playing with children, reminding him of what the game looks like through a child's eyes. The Pulisic-Puma partnership will also help the Culver City Football Club in ending the pay-for-play model.
[1] BBC Sport, "Christian Pulisic: US forward's Gold Cup withdrawal 'not a snub'," 1st July 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61797781
[2] ESPN, "Pulisic defends Gold Cup absence, calls critics 'way out of line'," 1st July 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.espn.com/soccer/us-men/story/4671092/pulisic-defends-gold-cup-absence-calls-critics-way-out-of-line
[3] The Guardian, "Christian Pulisic withdraws from Gold Cup to focus on club career," 28th June 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/jun/28/christian-pulisic-withdraws-from-gold-cup-to-focus-on-club-career
[4] Sports Illustrated, "Christian Pulisic's Gold Cup Snub: U.S. Soccer's Biggest Star Skips Tournament to Rest," 28th June 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.si.com/soccer/2022/06/28/christian-pulisic-gold-cup-snub-us-soccer-usmnt-mauricio-pochettino-usmnt-coach
- Despite the criticism and public disagreement with head coach Mauricio Pochettino, US Men's National Team star Christian Pulisic chose to rest and focus on his injury prevention, opting to visit the Culver City Football Club in California instead of participating in the 2022 Gold Cup.
- Pulisic, an avid supporter of the Culver City Football Club's mission to end the pay-for-play model in soccer, found solace and camaraderie with young players at the club's refurbished facilities in California.
- As the upcoming World Cup approaches, with the US team playing at home for the first time in 32 years, Pulisic plans to manage his energy levels and mental state in preparation for the big event, citing his decision to pass up the Gold Cup as an essential step in preserving his career longevity.
