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Christian Pulisic doesn’t get the benefit of anyone’s doubt.
In perhaps the most important World Cup in U.S. soccer history, Pulisic ultimately failed to make an impact.
Pulisic was injured in the United States men’s national team’s first match, causing him to miss their next match before playing limited minutes in the group stage final.
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American Landon Donovan celebrates his victory at the final whistle of the 2010 World Cup. (EMPICS Sport-PA Images via Getty Images)
But Pulisic, the face of US Soccer, disappointed in both knockout matches and exited the round of 16 against Belgium after an ankle injury. After the defeat, Pulisic said he could “rest”.
Landon Donovan has had both highs and lows during his World Cup career and, although he admitted that he “wanted to[ed] ‘be careful’ regarding his observation on Pulisic, the USMNT legend didn’t hold back much on the criticism he ‘deserves’.
“At the end of the day, he’s your best player, he’s your star player, and it just hasn’t happened to him…” Donovan said on his “Unfiltered Soccer” podcast with former teammate Tim Howard. “It’s part and parcel of this role. It’s just disappointing, I’ve been waiting for it for a while… and it just hasn’t happened.”
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. “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 done it – I’m not criticizing, I’m just saying it factually. He is who he is at this stage.”
Donovan also wasn’t happy that Pulisic left the Belgium game.
“The reality is he came out of a World Cup knockout match at home with his leg still intact. Because I would have had to be dragged 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. Put whatever you need in me, 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 was a “nice footballer”, but “other than that you’ll have to ask me very direct questions that I could give you very direct answers to”.
Pulisic has only one goal in eight career World Cup matches. In Monday’s loss, he lost possession 11 times in the first half.
