While some players not on the roster did not receive direct communication, Gomez says it is not something out of line
Gomez emphasized communication standards varyDownplayed concern about September friendly notificationsFormer striker did acknowledge Gold Cup concernsGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED
Addressing questions over communication from US Soccer, former striker Herculez Gomez said there is a difference in how some players hear from head coach Mauricio Pochettino about roster spots – personal phone calls for star players, but standard emails or intermediaries for others.
Gomez said he asked both Gio Reyna and Joe Scally if they were directly told they would not be on the roster.
“They both kind of looked at each other and said, ‘No’, very blatantly," he said.
Gomez said that players are typically informed when they make the preliminary roster and again if they’re selected for the final 23. However, he explained that it is common that there is no direct communication with those not being called up.
“Sometimes if you're a high-profile player, you may merit a phone call, you may merit a text or whatever, an explanation even though they don't owe it to you," he said. "For the majority of players, I would say the 99 percent of the pool, that doesn't apply.
"If you get a phone call that's awesome, but it's not required – the majority of players know this. So what I'm trying to say here is, don't make too big a deal of the no communication for a September friendly. Let's see if this no communication goes beyond that. That is a big deal. You want to have an environment where communication can be open."
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Gomez revisited Christian Pulisic's controversial decision to skip the Gold Cup as an example of where poor communication can be costly. He argued that if Pulisic and US Soccer had issued a joint statement, much of the fallout could have been avoided.
“I think that was the biggest fault this summer between Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, the players that didn't show up for the national team,” Gomez explained. "If US Soccer, Christian Pulisic, his camp, Mauricio Pochettino had come out with a joint communication. ‘This is the decision, we made going forward, he's not going to be part of this camp’ and just drew a line in the sand, that's it, but together, this wouldn't have happened."
Gomez said the missteps only fueled the controversy.
“And I'm not saying any of this is right, I'm just saying it was a total mess," he said. "Christian Pulisic then goes on a podcast that is on a network where his docuseries is on. This is what's going to happen. So, communication is good, it is vital, but in things like this, we may be getting a bit carried away.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
With the World Cup less than a year away, these challenges will need to be addressed in order for the organization to reach its goals next summer.
Getty Images SportWHAT’S NEXT?
The USMNT will get together when during the September international break, where Mauricio Pochettino and his side will face South Korea and Japan.