Pulisic left OUT of key CONCACAF Nations League games

November 12, 2019 By Oscar Rojas

Topics: CONCACAF Nations League, USA, USMNT, Christian Pulisic

The American footballer will not be able to help the Stars and Stripes in their quest to reach the semi-final stage of the competition.

Just when the USMNT needed their star man to deliver one of his best performances with the national team's jersey, Christian Pulisic will not be around to help Gregg Berhalter's cause as coach for the Stars and Stripes.

The American footballer was living one of his best moments at Chelsea, but he will not be able to show his skills against Canada and Cuba in the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League games, since he picked up a hip injury during Chelsea's last game against Crystal Palace.

The USMNT needs to win both of their upcoming games against Canada and Cuba to make it to the next round of the CNL. As of now, Canada leads Group A with nine points, and a draw would see them through to the semi-finals, leaving the Stars and Stripes and Cuba out of the title race and forcing them to go through a longer qualifying process to play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Coach Berhalter admitted that even if it was in the team's best interest to have Pulisic around, Chelsea and the USMNT deciced not to risk a long-term injury.

"Christian is officially at this stage ruled out. This was a collaborative decision with the club, looking after the best interest of the player. This group and the coaching staff want nothing more to have Christian here, but it was a risk we weren't willing to take at this time," Berhalter said.

The Stars and Stripes will lock horns against Canada this Friday, while they will put an end to their activity in Group A when they face Cuba at a neutral venue.