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yesterday

Donovan Criticizes Pulisic’s Gold Cup Opt-Out, Teammates Respond

Key players including Christian Pulisic are sidelined to rest after long club seasons; the USMNT heads into the Gold Cup under coach Mauricio Pochettino following a 2-1 friendly loss to Turkey.

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Soccer Football - Serie A - AC Milan v Monza - San Siro, Milan, Italy - May 24, 2025 AC Milan's Christian Pulisic REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo/File Photo
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Overview

  • Landon Donovan criticized USMNT players for opting out of the Gold Cup and indirectly referenced Pulisic during Fox Sports’s coverage of the UEFA Nations League final.
  • Christian Pulisic decided to sit out the Gold Cup citing fatigue after consecutive 50-match seasons with AC Milan.
  • Weston McKennie labeled Donovan’s remarks disappointing and defended Pulisic’s choice to rest to avoid injury and maintain peak performance.
  • Mark Pulisic fired back on Instagram by highlighting Donovan’s own 2013 sabbatical and accusing him of hypocrisy.
  • Under first-year coach Mauricio Pochettino, the USMNT is recalibrating its roster ahead of Gold Cup group-stage matches following a 2-1 friendly loss to Turkey.