Not long ago, Musah looked like one of the first names for the future of the USMNT midfield. He was seen as a natural fit alongside Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams - energetic, press-resistant and versatile enough to solve different problems.
Now, the picture appears very different.
For a player still only 23, this is not a story about decline in the traditional sense. It is about momentum lost at exactly the wrong time.
What makes this feel bigger is the public criticism. Donovan’s words were pointed, and former goalkeeper Tim Howard was no softer, saying a player with that level of talent cannot simply "fall[s] off the face of the earth" without owning his part in it.
That matters because Pochettino is shaping a squad for a home World Cup, where every place will be judged through a harsher lens. Availability, rhythm and trust count for plenty. If Musah withdrew when he was expected to be involved again, it would not be surprising if that affected how he is viewed internally.
There is still time for Musah to change the story, but it now looks like he needs a reset more than a rescue. Regular football, a clear role and a strong start to the next club spell may be his only route back into serious contention. The next United States squad announcement will be the immediate headline; the bigger one is whether Musah can force his way back into the conversation before the 2026 World Cup comes fully into view.