Christian Pulisic has faced mounting scrutiny from critics of the U.S. men’s national team after its round-of-16 defeat to Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But amid the backlash, two of the program’s most recognizable former stars, Landon Donovan and Tim Howard, have come to his defense.
Donovan and Howard both showed understanding for the pressure Pulisic is under following a difficult tournament, including questions about his performances and his early exit from the knockout loss. Still, Donovan also urged the U.S. captain to take a hard look at the way his inner circle operates and how people around him interact with others off the field.
“This is an opportunity to help and to change your life forever,” Donovan said on “Unfiltered Soccer,” the podcast he co-hosts with Howard. Donovan said he has spoken with people connected to U.S. Soccer, as well as sponsors, teammates, staff members and coaches, and claimed there is frustration with how matters involving Pulisic are handled.
Donovan stressed that he does not necessarily believe the issue starts with Pulisic himself, but rather with the agents, family members and others who influence the environment around him. He said people have grown tired of what they view as poor treatment, limited access and constant resistance to media requests, adding that commentators who regularly cover the team often do not receive the same greetings from Pulisic that they get from other players.
“There’s just this sense about him that you can’t get near him,” Donovan said. “And I actually don’t think it’s from him. I think it’s from the people around him.” Donovan added that Pulisic should address the situation directly with those closest to him and make clear that their approach is not helping his career or public image.
Donovan also drew from his own experience, recalling the criticism he endured after the United States failed to advance from the group stage at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. At the time, Donovan was widely viewed as the face of the national team, much as Pulisic is now.
“I have been in his shoes. … I know the feeling. The feeling is identical,” Donovan said. He explained that the fallout pushed him toward therapy and forced him to honestly evaluate his life and career. Donovan said those conversations, including difficult ones with people he loved, ultimately changed his life in a positive way beyond soccer.
Although the 2026 U.S. squad advanced further than Donovan’s 2006 team, Pulisic had a limited impact on the tournament. The 27-year-old finished without a goal and recorded one assist, while a calf injury affected him during all three group-stage matches. He left Monday’s defeat early in the second half because of an ankle issue, and his postgame remark to FOX Sports’ Jenny Taft that he has “time to rest” drew particular criticism on social media.
As Pulisic is dealing with some backlash, Howard said that he hopes the USA star isn’t on social media for a bit. But, like Donavan, Howard also suggested that Pulisic change his off-field approach.
“Yeah, rubbed some people the wrong way,” Howard said of Pulisic’s post-match remarks. “I don’t envy Christian Pulisic right now. That’s a difficult place to be. I do, though, believe that the sort of perceived nonchalantness is not that he doesn’t care. I think he’s hurting. I think he’s aware. I think that’s his own defense mechanism. All I can is, I think it’s impossible for him to feel the way that he felt — being one of the leaders on that team and being the biggest name and the best player with his ankle hurt and getting crushed going out of a World Cup — I would find it almost impossible for him to give a legitimately nonchalant interview.
“So, there’s something else going on there.”
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This isn’t the first time Donavan has pointed remarks toward Pulisic. He took multiple swipes at the AC Milan star for opting not to play for the USA in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup due to rest.
But as Donovan acknowledged that he doesn’t have “a great relationship” with Pulisic, he hopes he’s able to change how he conducts himself off the pitch so he doesn’t alienate himself from the fans.
“He has a big challenge ahead,” Donovan said. “I’m looking ahead to the next game, the next U.S. game in this country, what do you think that’s going to look like? Think about that, is he going to get booed when they announce him? Maybe. People are livid. It’s a long, winded way of saying, this can be a good moment in your life. A lot of things need to change, and I actually think it’s not him — it’s the people around him.”
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