Christian Pulisic breaks silence on USMNT Gold Cup drama after ‘out of line' jabs by legends
An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Christian Pulisic, wearing a USA soccer uniform, holds a soccer ball, Image 2 shows Landon Donovan controls a soccer ball during a training session, Image 3 shows Tim Howard, goalkeeper for the U.S. men's national soccer team
Christian Pulisic believes those questioning his commitment to the U.S. Men's National Team are 'way out of line.'
The star winger/midfielder has faced blowback from USMNT legends Landon Donovan and Tim Howard for his choice to skip the upcoming Gold Cup, but he told CBS Sports Golazo's 'Call It What You Want' show Thursday that he 'sticks with his decision' — regardless of what his childhood idols might think.
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'It's tough, especially when some of them as well even privately, the way they talk to me and clearly want to show support and be a friend and everything, and then it goes and they say something slightly different publicly,' Pulisic said. 'Does it hurt me, am I surprised by it? Not really.'
'To question my commitment, especially towards the national team, in my opinion, that's way out of line.'
After playing a nine-month season with AC Milan, Pulisic asked USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino to be left off the roster for the Gold Cup.
'Towards the second half and towards the end of the season, my body just started talking to me and my mind and I started to think what is gonna be best for me leading into next year and going into the World Cup?' Pulisic explained on the podcast. 'And was that to play eight more games and then get no rest at all, go straight into preseason, and then grind another year and go straight into the World Cup? That's not what I felt was best for my body.'
Christian Pulisic will not play for the U.S. Men's National Team at this summer's Gold Cup. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Pulisic said he did ask the coaching staff to play in the USMNT's two recent friendlies — against Turkey (June 7) and Switzerland (June 10) — but the coaches declined, opting for roster continuity heading into the Gold Cup.
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'I fully respect that,' Pulisic said. 'I didn't understand it, but it is what it is.'
Donovan had indirectly criticized Pulisic on Fox Sports over the weekend during the UEFA Nations League final won by Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal team, saying: 'I can't help but think about our guys on vacation not wanting to play in the Gold Cup. It's pissing me off.'
United States' Landon Donovan controls the ball during a training session on May 14, 2014. AP
United States' Tim Howard in a World Cup qualifying match in Sept. 2013. AP
Howard, on the May 28 episode of the Unfiltered Soccer podcast, raised concerns that Pochettino would 'not know what his best team is made of in the most difficult moments' with key players like Pulisic skipping the Gold Cup.
Pulisic's father, Mark, mocked Donovan by posting a screengrab of him asking ChatGPT about Donovan's sabbatical in 2012-13.
The USMNT's Gold Cup roster will also be missing Antonee Robinson (knee surgery), and Weston McKinnie, Gio Reyna and Timothy Weah, who are all playing in the upcoming Club World Cup.
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