The U.S. men's national team crashed out of the 2026 World Cup in the Round of 16 on Monday night, falling 4-1 to Belgium. But it wasn't just the scoreline that had fans and former players talking — it was what star attacker Christian Pulisic said after the match.
Pulisic, widely regarded as the face of American soccer, left the game early in the second half after tweaking his ankle and knee. When asked about the injury afterward, he told reporters, “I just totally twisted my ankle and my knee in one play. I mean, whatever. I have time to rest. It’s just unfortunate way to finish.”
That comment didn't sit well with Sydney Leroux, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and former U.S. women's national team star. She took to social media to voice her frustration, writing: “He rested the entire World Cup.”
The post quickly went viral, echoing the sentiment of many fans who felt Pulisic failed to deliver when it mattered most. Leroux wasn't alone in her criticism. Fellow USWNT legend Carli Lloyd also called him out, saying, “You wanted some of the big time players to step up in big moments, and I’ve got to be honest, I was a bit disappointed in Christian Pulisic. I think, 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.”
Fox Sports analyst Nick Wright piled on as well, calling Pulisic's performance a “no-show” and adding, “To have the man who is supposed to be the greatest player in the history of our country simply no-show in the biggest tournament of his life is just awful.”
Criticism of Pulisic has been building throughout the tournament. Despite his status as the team's most gifted player, he failed to register a goal or assist in the knockout stage and was largely invisible against Belgium. His injury — and the timing of his postgame comments — only added fuel to the fire.
The backlash has reignited a broader conversation about Pulisic's leadership and legacy on the international stage. For a player touted as the best American ever, his World Cup résumé remains thin. The 2026 tournament was supposed to be his coming-out party on home soil, but instead, it ended with a whimper — and a quote that many felt showed a lack of competitive fire.
As for the future, Pulisic will be 31 by the time the 2030 World Cup rolls around. Whether he'll still be the focal point of the USMNT remains to be seen. But for now, the criticism from former players like Leroux and Lloyd has made one thing clear: American soccer fans expect more from their star — and they're not afraid to say it.
