Tensions are high among United States Men's National Team (USMNT) alumni, with former players publicly debating the conduct and career of star player Christian Pulisic following the team's World Cup elimination. The controversy ignited after the team's 4-1 loss to Belgium.
Landon Donovan, a prominent USMNT figure and now a soccer pundit, has been critical of Pulisic for several years, questioning his commitment. Donovan recently expressed disappointment with Pulisic, stating, "Pulisic is who he is" at age 27 and suggesting issues stemmed from those influencing the player, including his agents and family.
Donovan elaborated on these concerns during his "Unfiltered Soccer" podcast, co-hosted with Tim Howard. He described a perceived pattern of poor treatment and inaccessibility from Pulisic's camp. "People are fed up with the way things are handled around him," Donovan said, adding that requests for interviews are often denied and Pulisic himself has been distant from commentators.
Donovan's comments have drawn a sharp response from former USMNT midfielder Jermaine Jones. Jones defended Pulisic, calling him "the greatest American player of all time" in a post on X. He criticized former players for downplaying Pulisic's achievements, cautioning them about "throwing stones when you live in a glass house."
Jones, who was Donovan's teammate on the USMNT, implied that critics like Donovan should be mindful of their own past actions. Donovan had previously taken a brief sabbatical from the national team in 2013, though he did not miss any major tournaments, unlike Pulisic, who reportedly missed the Gold Cup to prepare for the World Cup and then sustained an ankle injury during the tournament.
Pulisic himself commented on his injury after the Belgium match, stating, "I just twisted my ankle and sprained my ankle. It’s frustrating to end like that, of course, but now I get time to rest, so I’ll be OK." These remarks, perceived by some as nonchalant following the decisive loss, have amplified the criticism and contributed to the divisions among soccer commentators and fans. Pulisic has withdrawn from four of the last nine USMNT games due to injury, drawing scrutiny. The recent debates highlight a growing friction between different generations of USMNT players and personalities as the program navigates its future.