U.S. soccer legend Carli Lloyd has voiced sharp criticism of star player Christian Pulisic and the entire men's national team following their decisive World Cup exit. The team's tournament concluded with a 4-1 loss to Belgium in Seattle on Monday night.
Lloyd stated that the team appeared to lack confidence and appeared "scared" from the outset of the match. "I felt like they lost the game before they even stepped out onto the pitch," Lloyd said in a post-game analysis. "Chasing, tentative, scared, not confident on the ball."
She specifically called out Pulisic, a key player for the U.S. squad, for his performance throughout the tournament. "I think big time players, you wanted some of those big time players to step up in big moments," Lloyd commented. "I've got to be honest, I was a bit disappointed in Christian Pulisic. Whether he wants to be the star of this team or not, we didn't see enough from him in this particular game and really, the whole World Cup. Little glimpses here and there."
The U.S. team struggled defensively, conceding early goals to Belgium. The first Belgium goal came within nine minutes, attributed to naive defending, and their third goal was scored after goalkeeper Matt Freese was dispossessed outside his penalty area.
Pulisic's own tournament was impacted by injuries. He missed part of the opening match against Paraguay and the entire second game against Australia due to a calf issue. He also sustained an injury during the loss to Belgium, reporting a twisted ankle and knee in a single play.
"I felt really good this summer with the guys and I thought my level was high," Pulisic said after the match. "I didn't quite have the moments I was hoping to and to try to help us to really push and get over this next step of beating a really good team. I'm disappointed with myself, of course, but I'm going to try to stay positive. I did a lot of good things and the team did as well."
Despite the disappointing exit, Lloyd acknowledged that the team had shown positive aspects during the World Cup. "Aside from this loss, on the brighter storyline it has been a fantastic World Cup," she said. "This team has united the country. They have gotten American fans to fall in love with them and there is a bright future. This is just a real disappointing loss to go out on."
Questions also surround the future of U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino, who has been offered a contract extension but is also reportedly attracting interest from European clubs.
