Mauricio Pochettino will face his toughest competitive task yet with the USMNT as they take on the defending Gold Cup champions, Mexico, in the 2025 Gold Cup Final. The USMNT will be without key players who will likely be a part of the final roster for the World Cup,

When the USMNT faces Mexico in the Gold Cup final on Sunday, it will do so without many of its top players, including Christian Pulisic.

Christian Pulisic isn't with the U.S. after deciding to sit out of the Gold Cup following two grueling seasons in Europe with AC Milan. The 26-year-old attacker told CBS Sports that he offered to play the two friendlies versus Turkiye and Switzerland before the tournament started, but coach Mauricio Pochettino turned him down.