Latest news with #U.S.Men'sNationalTeam
New York Post
7 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Two bottles of wine couldn't ‘ease the pain' of USMNT disaster for Landon Donovan
The U.S. Men's National Team's performance Tuesday didn't do much to soothe American soccer legend Landon Donovan. Neither did the bottle. 'Currently on my second bottle of wine, still hasn't eased the pain,' Donovan posted to X after the squad lost, 4-0, to Switzerland. Advertisement 4 Landon Donovan criticized current USMNT players such as Christian Pulisic. Getty Images Donovan is widely regarded as the top U.S. men's player of all-time, recording 57 goals and 58 assists across his 157 USMNT appearances. With the legendary status he holds, it's been hard for him to watch the current team have some of its top players, like Christian Pulisic, sit out opportunities like the Gold Cup to gain experience with the rest of the squad ahead of next year's World Cup. Advertisement 4 USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino during the 4-0 friendly loss to Switzerland. AP Donovan's frustration came out on Fox's UEFA Nations League final broadcast when he said, 'I can't help but think about our guys on vacation not wanting to play in the Gold Cup. It's pissing me off. 'This is what it means to represent your country,' Donovan added while 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal to a victory. 'And if you don't want to take this as a professional soccer player, as someone who gets the opportunity to wear that jersey and take it seriously and responsibly, then don't come in. This is what it means.' 4 Pulisic elected not to play for the USMNT in the Concacaf Gold Cup. REUTERS Advertisement Donovan didn't name any names, but Pulisic is the clear culprit as he is the USMNT's current star and is among the players skipping the upcoming matches despite not being injured. Pulisic is fresh off a 34-match season with AC Milan. While Pulisic didn't respond, he liked his father's Instagram post calling out Donovan for doing a similar thing in 2012-13, which led to him being left off the 2014 World Cup roster. 4 Christian Pulisic (c.) with dad Mark (l.) and mom Kelley (r.) Chelsea FC via Getty Images Advertisement The USMNT will have its next chance to impress fans — and Donovan — on Sunday against Trinidad and Tobago. Until then, Donovan may need to find another vice for easing the pain if two bottles of wine didn't do the trick.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Graham Zusi Named Community Ambassador for nbkc bank as Kansas City Prepares for Global Soccer Spotlight
KANSAS CITY, Mo., June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With just over a year until Kansas City takes the global stage as part of soccer world's biggest tournament, nbkc bank® has named former U.S. Men's National Team standout and Sporting Kansas City legend Graham Zusi as its Community Ambassador. Zusi's role at nbkc bank is effective immediately and continues through next year's tournament. Kansas City will host matches on June 16, June 20, June 25, June 27, July 3 and July 11, 2026. Zusi, who played in the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ in Brazil, brings to nbkc, Kansas City and the global soccer audience an accomplished playing career and a long-standing connection to the community. Over 15 seasons with Sporting Kansas City, he earned distinction as a seven-time MLS All-Star, 2013 MLS Cup champion, and three-time U.S. Open Cup winner. He started all four matches for the U.S. Men's National Team during its 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign and was instrumental in its advancement to the knockout stage. In his new role with nbkc, Zusi serves as an experienced local presence during a visible international moment for Kansas City. He will represent the bank through community appearances, select speaking engagements with nbkc clients, employees and civic groups, and by hosting a community-wide foosball tournament, details of which will be released at a later date. "We're thrilled to have Graham Zusi join us during such an exciting moment for soccer in Kansas City," said Michael Bartkoski, CEO of nbkc bank. "Graham shined on the world soccer stage and brings a unique connection to the sport and Kansas City—and helps nbkc deepen its ties to both communities. We are looking forward to helping prepare the business community for this monumental event." "I'm excited to represent nbkc as Kansas City prepares to host the biggest event in the soccer world," Zusi said. "I've come to know nbkc as a bank with good people who are committed to the community and focused on making banking simple and approachable for individuals and businesses." Now stepping into entrepreneurship--including his leading the development of a six-unit residential project in Kansas City -- Zusi credits his career on the field with preparing him for success in business. "Soccer taught me discipline, resilience and the value of teamwork—qualities that are just as important in business as they are on the field," said Zusi. "I appreciate nbkc's support of local businesses throughout the region." The announcement of Zusi's role with nbkc builds on the bank's recent community initiatives. On Memorial Day weekend, nbkc helped underwrite free admission support for the National World War I Museum and Memorial for active-duty military members, veterans and their families. In October 2025, nbkc will be the official banking partner and a gold-level sponsor of the Garmin Kansas City Marathon. About nbkcHaving marked its 25th anniversary in 2024, nbkc is a mainstay in the Kansas City region and a diversified online banking company with a national scope. Known for combining intuitive technology and personal support to create exceptional client experiences, nbkc offers online mortgage and consumer banking nationally; community and commercial banking throughout its home region of Kansas City; and banking as a service to fintech companies across the U.S. The bank is also known for starting Fountain City Fintech®, an accelerator program initiated to support fintech startups. Formed in 1999, nbkc continues to pursue its mission of leading the industry to simpler and more transparent banking. Member FDIC. Equal housing lender. Media Inquiries and Interview Requests: Melissa Janine View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE nbkc bank Sign in to access your portfolio
New York Post
18 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
US men's soccer team hears boos after ugly loss to Switzerland
It was an American horror story of epic proportions for the U.S. Men's National Team on Tuesday night in their Gold Cup send-off match, as the club was booed off the field in Nashville, Tenn., during their 4-0 loss to Switzerland. The Americans didn't field their best lineup, but the ugly showing right before a major international tournament had U.S. soccer fans upset as the club walked off the field at halftime down by four goals and then again when the final whistle blew at the end of the match. The displeasure was audible on the TNT broadcast of the friendly match, and by the end, with large swaths of the 30,000-seat capacity Geodis Park visibly empty, it was apparent how upset U.S. soccer fans were. The loss was the fourth straight for the USMNT and put them on their longest losing streak since 2007. And to make matters worse, the four goals conceded in the first half were the most they've given up in more than 40 years. Switzerland's captain Granit Xhaka (10) brings the ball up field during his team's 4-0 blowout win over the U.S. men's soccer national team on June 10, 2025. AFP via Getty Images 'The first half was not good enough by any of our standards,' center back Walker Zimmerman told TNT Sports following the match. 'That's the disappointing thing, is we talked a lot about how we could compete, how we can believe in each other, how we can keep pushing. Take pride and we just fell short on all those aspects in the first half.' He added: 'It's disappointing, but at the same time, we know that we have a tournament ahead of us where these games are going to be coming quick and fast and our only option is to build on those.' The loss was another knock against the American squad that is facing plenty of challenges going into the Gold Cup tournament, and is a year away from the start of the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in North America. The USMNT has gone 5-5 since new head coach Mauricio Pochettino took over in September of last year, and he'll face plenty of questions if the United States doesn't come together during the Gold Cup.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Reports: USMNT midfielder Musah to join Napoli in €25m transfer
Reports: USMNT midfielder Musah to join Napoli in €25m transfer Show Caption Hide Caption Weston McKennie: Landon Donovan's dig at Christian Pulisic was sad U.S. Men's National Team standout Weston McKennie reacts to Landon Donovan's comments regarding Christian Pulisic. Sports Seriously Yunus Musah looks to be on the move, though the AC Milan midfielder won't be leaving Serie A. According to multiple reports, Musah is on the brink of joining Italian champion Napoli in a move worth around €25 million. Napoli coach Antonio Conte is said to be an admirer of the 22-year-old, who looks to be part of a revamped midfield that is also set to include former Man City star Kevin De Bruyne. Musah will help replace Philip Billing, who was on loan from Bournemouth this past season and will not be retained. Musah has spent two seasons with Milan after joining from Valencia in 2023. The midfielder earned plenty of minutes with the Rossoneri, but never completely found his footing during his time at the club. The U.S. international managed 40 appearances in all competitions last season, playing a variety of positions including right back, right winger and central midfield. Though he was at times a lock starter, Musah's minutes declined over the final weeks of the 2024-25 campaign. He was removed twice as a tactical sub in a four-game span in March and April. Musah is set to trade Serie A's eighth-place finisher for its champion, swapping a season with no European competition for Champions League play. It will be a welcome boost for his USMNT chances. Musah was set to be on the Gold Cup roster this summer, but requested to be removed due to a personal issue. Musah has 46 caps with the USMNT, including starts in all four of the team's games at the 2022 World Cup.
New York Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
USMNT star fires back at Landon Donovan over Christian Pulisic ‘vacation' shade
Weston McKennie defended his U.S. Men's National Team teammate Christian Pulisic in a new interview after American soccer great Landon Donovan indirectly criticized Pulisic on Fox Sports over the weekend. Pulisic, along with Yunus Musah and Antonee Robinson, is not part of the U.S. roster for the Gold Cup this summer after asking head coach Mauricio Pochettino to leave him off after taking part in a long 50-game schedule for his club team, AC Milan. Donovan hinted at his displeasure over the decision, without mentioning names, during Fox's UEFA Nations League final broadcast, at one point 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.' 3 United States' Landon Donovan, controls the ball during a training session on Wednesday, May 14, 2014. AP McKennie would speak up on Pulisic's behalf. 'Obviously, none of us take for granted playing for the national team. None of us want to lose games,' McKennie told USA Today. 'All of us want to compete. And for me, it's a little bit, I won't say sad, but as a former national team player, I think as a national team player pool — previous, present — I think it's more about trying to build or even say something like that to a person directly rather than putting it out there. 'That's just my opinion because we've all been through those moments, even when comments about us losing the Nations League were made by many players from before, but they've had the same thing on a bigger stage with not qualifying for the World Cup.' 3 Weston McKennie of the United States controls the ball against Canada during the first half of the CONCACAF Nations League third-place match at SoFi Stadium on March 23, 2025 in Inglewood, California. Getty Images Pulisic has seen some criticism from several USMNT alums, including Clint Dempsey and Alexi Lalas. The U.S. Men's National Team has faced growing scrutiny with the World Cup just over a year away and the United States set to host, alongside Mexico and Canada. McKennie, who won't be playing in the Gold Cup for the United States either as he suits up for Juventus in the Club World Cup, reiterated the honor that playing for the U.S. is, while noting the importance of not pushing yourself if you're not 100 percent. 3 AC Milan's Christian Pulisic reacts after missed a chance to score on April 11, 2025. REUTERS 'Obviously, if you don't feel like your body is in the right condition, and you don't feel like your body is in the best form or shape or whatever, to be able to do that at 100 percent, and you feel like you're risking injury, then it's better to let someone else go in that is completely 100 percent,' he said. The American soccer star wasn't the only one to defend Pulisic, with his father, Mark, taking a swipe at Donovan in an Instagram post on Monday. Mark posted on his account a screenshot from ChatGPT asking it to 'tell me about Landon Donovan's sabbatical and why he took it.' The screenshot also showed the lengthy response, and Mark took a further shot at Donovan in the caption. 'This guy is … talking about commitment,' the caption read. '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.' Pulisic also liked the post. Donovan had stepped away from soccer in 2012-13, skipping World Cup qualifiers, and he was later left off the 2014 U.S. World Cup roster.
