Christian Pulisic Turns Heads with Reaction to Criticism Amid USMNT Absence
On Thursday, the United States Men's National Team made it official that head coach Mauricio Pochettino will be heading to the CONCACAF Gold Cup — the final major tournament before the United States co-hosts the 2026 World Cup — without team captain Christian Pulisic.
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According to ESPN, Pulisic and his team proposed the break to the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) after Pulisic played more than 3,500 minutes in all competitions for AC Milan across the 2024-2025 season.
Fellow national team veterans Weston McKennie, Timothy Weah, Giovanni Reyna, Antonee Robinson and Yunus Musah are also missing after their respective European campaigns.
Since Pulisic's absence was first reported, criticism has been repeatedly aimed at the Yanks' No. 10, most recently from USMNT legend Landon Donovan on Sunday.
United States Men's National Team and AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic (10).Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
The Pulisic family did not take kindly to Donovan's veiled comments after 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo battled through injury to help Portugal win the UEFA Nations League — a continental trophy similar to the Gold Cup.
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"This is what it means to represent your country,' Donovan said on Fox Sports' coverage of Portugal's win over Spain. '(Cristiano Ronaldo) is 40 years old. He played a long-(expletive) season. He was out there grinding and hurt himself in the process. And I can't help but think about some of our guys who are on vacation not wanting to play in Gold Cup. It's pissing me off.'
Pulisic's father, Mark, heard Donovan's criticism and clapped back Sunday night on Instagram.
"This guy is .. talking about commitment.. look in the mirror + grow a pair and call names out or are you afraid next time you want an interview you will get rejected again," he wrote in an Instagram post.
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His son liked the post — the first public response of any kind from the American captain since his Gold Cup absence was first reported. USMNT fans sounded off with their thoughts on social media.
"This is getting spicy," wrote one fan on X. "I remember how awkward Pulisic and Donovan were speaking to each other last year. I just assumed they were both introverted but looks like something was already brewing in the background."
"This is reminiscent of Claudio Reyna coming to his son's defense," noted a response. "Circumstances are different but it is sad that this kind of drama follows our star USMNT players."
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"Donovan helped the US make the quarterfinals of the World Cup," said one reply. "What has Pulisic won with the USMNT?"
"Why hasn't Pulisic said ANYTHING himself?" a fan said of the captain. "He's letting everyone else talk for him. It doesn't show any sense of leadership or responsibility."
Pulisic has 32 goals and 18 assists in 76 appearances for the United States, but he will not add to that total this summer.
After losing to Turkiye 2-1 on Saturday, USMNT plays another warm up friendly on Tuesday against Switzerland before beginning the Gold Cup on Sunday against Trinidad and Tobago.
Related: Mauricio Pochettino Makes Statement After USMNT Loss
Related: Christian Pulisic's Girlfriend Posts Photo He 'Did Not Approve'
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
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