The big rivalry between the United States and Mexico is just around the corner, knocking on the door. The rivalry, the excitement, and of course, the fans' expectations are through the roof. But instead of having a full squad ready to go all in, some of the brightest stars of the USMNT are simply walking away. Yeah, you heard that right. Marlon Fossey, Weston McKennie, Ricardo Pepi, Christian Pulisic, and Zack Steffen are leaving camp and heading back to their clubs before the decisive match against Mexico next Tuesday.
The first thing that pops into every soccer fan’s head is, "Wait, what? These guys are leaving? We’re about to face our biggest rival!" And rightfully so, right? We’re talking about five players who, whether you like it or not, are heavy hitters on this team. Christian Pulisic, for example, isn't just one of the best players in the U.S.; he’s practically the face of the national team across the world.
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There are plenty of reasons to explain this pre-showdown exit. One of them is the infamous "FIFA dates." A lot of times, players who play for clubs outside the U.S. have commitments with their teams and need to head back to fulfill their duties. This isn’t new. European clubs, especially, aren’t exactly known for being generous when it comes to releasing players for extended periods. They want their athletes ready and fit for the competitions that matter to them.
But how acceptable or even healthy is this practice for U.S. soccer? Will the U.S. ever get a real shot at being competitive in international tournaments if European clubs keep pulling the "give me my player back now" card? Without guys like Pulisic, McKennie, and Pepi, no matter how much we hope, the team is weaker. And against a Mexico side that’s always thirsty for a win, that could cost us big time.
The European season is in full swing. These guys are playing two or three times a week at a high level, and like any elite athlete, the wear and tear is real. Pulisic, McKennie, and the rest are literally sprinting to maintain their spots in their clubs. The risk of injury is constant. We’ve already seen way too many stories of players returning from international duty injured, only to be sidelined for weeks or even months at their clubs. That’s a nightmare for any player. A serious injury, you lose your spot, your game rhythm is gone, and goodbye starting lineup.
The truth is, this showdown with Mexico carries symbolic weight that goes far beyond the pitch. It’s a rivalry that’s been brewing for years, kind of like a Real Madrid vs. Barcelona or Boca Juniors vs. River Plate, but in the CONCACAF world. And without their key players, the U.S. might fight hard, but the chances of winning definitely drop.
But at the same time, we’ve got to remember that the team doesn’t just rely on five players, right? Sure, having Pulisic, McKennie, and the rest makes a huge difference, but soccer is a team sport. And we’ve seen surprises happen before.
Soccer in the U.S. is still growing. There’s no skipping steps. If today European clubs are calling up most of our talent, it’s because these players have finally reached the level those big leagues demand. But the price of that is, on big match days like this one against Mexico, we might not always have our best players on the field. And that’s a headache that the USMNT coach, whoever they are, is going to have to deal with for a long time.
The silver lining? Well, if the team manages to hold their own even without the stars, their confidence skyrockets. It shows we’re building a deeper roster with more options and better balance. Because if we’re always relying on one or two superstars, we’ll never really grow. The future of U.S. soccer depends on having a squad that can win even when the big names aren’t available. But without Pulisic, Pepi, McKennie, and the others, Mexico’s favoritism grows. Still, that doesn’t mean the game’s over yet.