Christian Pulisic’s World Cup campaign came to an abrupt end during the Round of 16 clash with Belgium, as an ankle injury forced him off the field in the second half of the 4-1 defeat that eliminated the U.S. men’s national team.
Former USMNT legend Landon Donovan, speaking on his “Unfiltered Soccer” podcast alongside ex-goalkeeper Tim Howard, expressed disappointment over Pulisic’s failure to deliver in crucial moments, despite acknowledging the player’s talent.
Donovan, a Fox Sports analyst, emphasized that Pulisic, widely regarded as the team’s marquee player, underperformed in high-stakes situations. “In the end, he’s your best player, he’s your star player, and it just didn’t happen for him,” Donovan stated. “I want to be careful because I’m sure people are piling on him, a lot of it he deserves, of course. That’s part and parcel with this role. It’s just disappointing, I was waiting for a moment for him … and it just didn’t happen.”
The 36-year-old Pulisic missed the 2025 Gold Cup to prepare for this World Cup, but injuries hampered his contributions, resulting in just one assist across four matches. A calf injury in the opening game against Paraguay sidelined him for the win over Australia, and he re-injured his ankle before Belgium’s decisive third goal, exacerbated by goalkeeper Matt Freese’s error.
Donovan contrasted Pulisic’s approach with his own 2006 World Cup experience, where he endured criticism but refused to leave the field. “The reality is, he came out of a World Cup knockout game at home, with his leg still intact. Because you would have had to f–king drag me off the field,” he said. “And I would have punched the doctor in the face and said, ‘You’re not taking me off the field. Put whatever you need to put in me, and I’m staying on the field.’”
Pulisic has faced widespread scrutiny, including from former U.S. women’s national team stars like Carli Lloyd and Sydney Leroux. Following the loss, Pulisic acknowledged his frustration but noted he can now prioritize recovering fully, stating, “It’s just frustrating to end like that, of course. But now I have time to rest. I feel it’ll be OK.”
“I’m starting to look back, Tim — it’s more than just a trend now. It is,” Donovan added. “Like, when the games are easy, and it’s a home qualifier, and it’s Jamaica, yes. But in the big moments and the big games, he just hasn’t — I’m not criticizing, I’m just saying it factually. He is who he is at this point.”
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