Fans Concerned By Sudden Christian Pulisic Move Before USA-Mexico

The United States Men's National Team (USMNT) kicked off a new era under head coach Mauricio Pochettino with a 2-0 win over Panama on Saturday. One thing that has not changed under the Argentinian head coach is the importance of USMNT's No. 10, Christian "Captain America" Pulisic.

Pulisic assured the fans at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas that he is still the star of the show by creating the first goal of the Pochettino era . His incisive cross from the left wing found American midfielder Yunus Musah for the first goal of Musah's international career in the 49th minute of the match.

"Captain America" was subbed off in the 67th minute. Without him, USMNT struggled in attack until Ricardo Pepi's goal in second-half stoppage time sealed the 2-0 win. As it turned out, the final stages of the match without Pulisic proved to be a concerning preview of what American soccer fans can expect from Tuesday's heavyweight USA-Mexico showdown.

Shortly after the win over Panama, the U.S. Soccer Federation delivered the sudden news that five players, including Pulisic, were leaving USMNT camp to return to their club teams before the friendly against Mexico.

Pepi and Weston McKennie are among four players heading back to their clubs to get treatment for minor injuries sustained against Panama. The good news for USA fans is that the reason for Pulisic's move was listed as "load management." That wasn't enough to soothe the worry about facing Mexico without the 26-year-old.

Fan responses to the news on X accused Pochettino of not "getting" the importance of the rivalry and overlooking the Mexicans by putting out a " D team ."

"Gonna be missing damn near our whole starting 11 on Tuesday," wrote another concerned fan in USMNT's Instagram comments .

Without "Captain America," Pochettino will have to rely on the remaining forwards on the roster to step up: Josh Sargent, Brandon Vazquez, Haji Wright and Alex Zendejas. Plenty of American fans deflected concern about the inexperience of the frontline without Pulisic, supporting the new manager's choices.

There are 20 players left on the Yanks' roster available for selection for the match against Mexico at Estadio Akron in Jalisco, Guadalajara, on Tuesday night. The team does not plan to add any replacement players.

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