Milan Starboy's Comeback Biggest Issue for National Team to Face Hong Myung-boo..A feud with Pochettino Pulisic? It's only in the past
Sep 06, 2025
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A day before the match against the U.S., the South Korean national team's biggest interest is in the `new student from Germany' Jens Kastroff, while the U.S. national team led by Mauricio Pochettino is most interested in the `Milan Star" Christian Pulisic.
Pulisic was the United States national team's last summer. After a grueling season at AC Milan, he was eager for a short break before the preseason and gave up his participation, expressing disapproval of the U.S. national team's schedule for a transfer to the Gold Cup. Pulisic's personal decision plastered media headlines, drawing the ire of American soccer stars such as Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey, as well as fan and media resentment. Pennsylvania-born national team midfielder Pulisic offered to play in the A-match friendly in June and skip the Gold Cup considering fatigue and physical conditions, but Pochettino made it clear that he would run the Gold Cup and friendly matches as a call-up list. With the message that the national team call-up list is not formed at the request of individual players and that whether or not they can play after call-up is a decision of the coach and the professional staff, the players cannot order their plans. I'm a director, not a mannequin, and I've made sure I refuse. The concept of `us' should come first, not individual playersIt was also emphasized that "
However, ahead of the A-match in September, Pochettino called Pulisic back, and at a press conference held at the Morristown Team Hotel Banquet Hall in New Jersey a day before the A-match warm-up match against South Korea on the 6th (Korea time), he dismissed the summer feud as "past." "It is my pleasure to have Pulisic here with me." expressed his feelings.
Pochettino said "We often make mistakes. Because each person interprets the situation differently" "Most importantly, if smart people want to move on and do the right thing, it's easier to understand, organize, and solve problems (I want to be a smart person). This is a thing of the past." He made it clear that he had no intention of further controversy.
At the U.S. national team, which began training in New Jersey this week, Pulisic did not contact the media, but his teammates welcomed him with open arms. Defensive back Chris Richards called Pulisic the team's "Star Boy" and said "It means a lot to have him back." "He's a quiet personality, but it's good to feel his presence on the field." Pulisic is important not only to our team but also to the nation. It's our star player. It's good that such a player joins the team again, and it's another meaning to show enthusiasm for him to participate in training camp. He clearly had a burning passion. There was a lot of speculation, but he said, "To be here because he's ready to play." Pochettino also reiterated that the atmosphere is "good" and stressed that it is important to make the journey to the World Cup well now.
The U.S. and Pochettino are taking on a considerable psychological burden ahead of the 2026 North-China World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico. U.S. soccer fans hope to see the U.S. hold out for longer at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after it was eliminated in the round of 16 against the Netherlands.
Reporter Jeon Young-ji sky4us@sportschosun.com
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
