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Christian Pulisic doesn’t get the benefit of anyone’s doubt.
In perhaps the most important World Cup in American soccer history, Pulisic ultimately failed to make an impact.
Pulisic was injured in the US men’s national team’s first game, causing him to miss the next game before playing limited minutes in the group stage final.
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American Landon Donovan celebrates victory at the final whistle of the 2010 World Cup. (EMPICS Sport – PA Images via Getty Images)
But Pulisic, the face of American soccer, disappointed in both knockout matches and left the round of 16 match against Belgium after an ankle injury. After the defeat, Pulisic said he can “rest.”
Landon Donovan saw both the ups and downs during his World Cup career, and while he admitted he “wants to[ed] “be careful” regarding his comment about Pulisic, the USMNT legend didn’t hold back much about the criticism he “deserves.”
“At the end of the day, he’s your best player, he’s your star player, and it just didn’t happen to him…” Donovan said on his “Unfiltered Soccer” podcast with former teammate Tim Howard. “That’s part and parcel of this role. It’s just disappointing, I was waiting for a moment for it… and it just didn’t happen.”
Christian Pulisic during the FIFA World Cup Group D match against Turkey at Los Angeles Stadium on June 25, 2026, in Inglewood, California. (Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
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“I’m starting to look back, Tim; it’s more than just a trend now. It is,” Donovan continued. “For example, 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 done it. I’m not criticizing him, I’m just saying it objectively. He is who he is right now.”
Donovan was also not thrilled that Pulisic left the game against Belgium.
“The reality is he came out of a World Cup qualifying game at home, with his leg still intact. Because you would have had to drag me off the field,” Donovan said. “And I would have punched the doctor in the face and said, ‘You’re not taking me off the field. Give me whatever you need and I’ll stay on the field.'”
Christian Pulisic leaves the field after the round of 16 match against Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 6, 2026, in Seattle, Washington. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)
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Howard was cryptic in his not-so-positive analysis of Pulisic, saying he’s a “good footballer” but “other than that, you’d have to ask me very direct questions that I could give you very direct answers to.”
Pulisic has just one goal in eight career World Cup games. In Monday’s loss, they lost possession 11 times in the first half.
