The post-World Cup autopsy for the USMNT has taken a painful turn. Star attacker Christian Pulisic, already under fire for a quiet tournament, is now facing a significant injury that will keep him off the pitch for weeks.
According to The Athletic, Pulisic has been diagnosed with a bone bruise and microfracture in his leg. The 27-year-old suffered the injury during the 52nd minute of Monday night's 4-1 defeat to Belgium, when his attempted shot instead slammed into the back of Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans' calf.
The diagnosis comes amid a storm of criticism directed at Pulisic. Former USMNT star Landon Donovan didn't hold back, telling Awful Announcing, “I’m starting to look back and … it’s more than just a trend now. … When the games are easy … yes. But in the big moments and the big games, he just hasn’t. … He is who he is at this point.”
Carli Lloyd, another American soccer legend, echoed those sentiments: “I gotta be honest, I was a bit disappointed with Christian Pulisic. Whether he wants to be the star of this team or not, we didn’t see enough from him in this particular game and, really, the whole World Cup.”
Pulisic broke his silence on Wednesday night with a statement on the team's early exit. “Tough to find the words. … It simply wasn’t good enough from us in the end and I wanted to deliver so much more. … It’s just the start for us and for this sport in America,” he wrote. Notably, he did not address the criticism or his injury.
The timing of the injury adds another layer of uncertainty. With Pulisic sidelined, the USMNT's rebuilding effort faces an early setback. Some critics have pointed to deeper issues, including the price tag on youth soccer, as a barrier to developing top-tier talent.
Meanwhile, the debate over Pulisic's role in big games continues. Former USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard recently dropped a cryptic remark about Pulisic's 'dark side', fueling speculation about off-field factors. Others, like Piers Morgan, have offered three 'solutions' for US soccer after the World Cup exit.
For now, Pulisic's focus will be on recovery. But the questions about his ability to deliver when it matters most will linger until he returns to the pitch.
