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<ul><li>Gomez criticizes handling of Pulisic and Robinson's omissions</li><li>Suggests roster misaligned with World Cup preparations</li><li>Says majority of Gold Cup players won't be on World Cup squad</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

'That’s all you’re getting from this camp' - Herculez Gomez criticizes Mauricio Pochettino's roster, says USMNT makeup not conducive for World Cup preparation

CONCACAF Gold Cup

Costa Rica

Former USMNT player Herculez Gomez criticized the makeup of coach Mauricio Pochettino's pre-Gold Cup roster, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/tyler-adams-folarin-balogun-and-sergino-dest-headline-usmnt-s-pre-gold-cup-squad-as-christian-pulisic-antonee-robinson-and-yunus-musah-miss-out/bltf076aa048becaa31" target="_blank">which was released last week</a>. The ESPN analyst suggested that the USMNT roster - minus the likes of Christian Pulisic and Antonee Robinson - does not reflect what is expected to be the squad for the 2026 World Cup. “I hear this, all the time from fans, the discourse is ‘Well you really need the team together, it’s the last go you’re going to have before the World Cup, you really need them together!’ " Gomez said on Futbol Americas. “You’ve got players coming back from injury, you’ve got some players who aren’t even there (because of Club World Cup commitments), you’ve got (17) MLS players who weren’t there before. To get who together? If anything, Pochettino may identify a player or two, but that’s all you’re getting from this camp.”

WHAT HAPPENED

He also voiced concerns over the messaging regarding Pulisic and Robinson’s omissions, saying that U.S. Soccer took two different approaches. The federation issued a statement regarding Pulisic, with Matt Crocker, U.S. Soccer sporting director, 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.”Regarding Robinson, who has been dealing with a tendon injury, Pochettino said, "We were considerate and talked with the medical staff and the staff from Fulham about the situation ... I saw it as a big risk and, in this moment, we need to consider and pay attention to the advice of the medical staff and, of course, Fulham."Gomez took issue with the different statements, suggesting Pulisic is also injured. “I think the messaging here is just so strange by U.S. Soccer and I’m sure at some point we’ll get more context from that," he said. "But what they’re essentially saying in one sense with Antonee Robinson is ‘No this is a medical issue. Antonee Robinson is injured.’ He doesn’t train, he only plays, so he’s not that injured to stop but he’s gotta play. And Christian Pulisic, he asked for time off but he’s still playing and we saw it - both of them played their last game of the season, but one is medical, the other one is not."Players play injured all the time, and if you’re a player like Robinson or Pulisic, you’ve got more riding on the line than most. Antonee Robinson has a looming $60M potential transfer to a team like Liverpool - could define his future. He’s going to be fine with the USMNT, while Pulisic has been dealing with a chronic hip issue that if he doesn’t sort out right now, it’s going to keep nagging lead up into a World cup year.” <iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="362" src="https://youtube.com/embed/kK4J9EmwpnA" title="YouTube video player" width="644"></iframe>

WHAT HERCULEZ GOMEZ SAID

Gomez's suggestion that most current Gold Cup squad members won't make the final World Cup roster underscores concerns building toward 2026. With limited FIFA international windows remaining before the World Cup, each roster decision carries significance.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The 2026 iteration of the Gold Cup begins on 14 June for the US after they play two friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland on June 7 and 10, respectively.

WHAT’S NEXT?

'That’s all you’re getting from this camp' - Herculez Gomez criticizes Mauricio Pochettino's roster, says USMNT makeup not conducive for World Cup preparation | Goal.com

The former USMNT striker questioned the roster decisions as well as messaging around omissions of Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson

&apos;That’s all you’re getting from this camp&apos; - Herculez Gomez criticizes Mauricio Pochettino&apos;s roster, says USMNT makeup not conducive for World Cup preparation

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