Donovan and Howard defend Pulisic after the USA's elimination from the World Cup
Christian Pulisic became one of the main targets of criticism after the United States' elimination in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, against Belgium. In defense of the American captain, two historical figures in the country's football emerged: Landon Donovan and Tim Howard. Both showed empathy for the striker's difficult moment, but left a clear call for changes in the way the player — and those around him — manage his career outside the four lines.In an episode of the Unfiltered Soccer podcast, which Donovan co-hosts with Howard, the former international highlighted that he understands what Pulisic is going through, recalling the turmoil he felt when the US team fell in the group stage of the 2006 World Cup, a competition in which he was the face of the team. "I've been in your shoes. I took that to therapy, it forced me to look at my life and career honestly and it ended up changing my life for the better", shared Donovan, in a message of identification and support for the current team leader.
Still, Donovan was blunt about the circle surrounding Pulisic. The former captain spoke candidly about the environment around the striker, pointing the finger at agents, family members and other influencers. "People are fed up with the way things are managed around them. It's not necessarily him, but rather the one who influences him. They treat people badly, refuse interviews, create the feeling that no one can get close. He has to come out and have a serious conversation with them, because this isn't helping him", he warned.
On a sporting level, Pulisic — currently at AC Milan — finished the 2026 World Cup without goals and with one assist. A calf injury hampered him during the group stage, forcing him to miss parts of all three games, and an ankle problem caused him to leave the round of 16 match against Belgium early. Post-game, his sentence to reporter Jenny Taft, from FOX Sports — “I have time to rest” — set social media on fire, being seen by many as inappropriate to the moment.
Tim Howard, former goalkeeper and Donovan's companion on the podcast, also left a protective reading, advising Pulisic to stay away from social media for a while. He acknowledged that the striker's stance may have “annoyed some people”, but considered that the apparent “non-chalance” is, in fact, a defense mechanism. "I don't envy the place he's in. It's almost impossible to believe that, being the leader of the team and the best player, coming out hurt and eliminated from a World Cup, he gave a genuinely indifferent interview. There's something else going on there," said Howard.
This is not, however, the first episode of public friction between Donovan and Pulisic. The former international had already criticized the striker's decision to give up the 2025 Gold Cup to rest. Donovan himself admitted that he does not have “a great relationship” with Pulisic, but despite this, he wants the number 10 to change the way he interacts with the media and fans to avoid alienating the public. "He has a big challenge ahead of him. In the USA's next game, at home, will he be whistled when it is announced? Maybe. People are furious. But this could be a good moment in his life, if a lot changes — and I believe that, more than him, those around him have to change", he concluded.
The elimination against Belgium ended the USA's journey in an expanded World Cup played in 16 cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada. On a stage of this size and with high expectations in the host country, managing image and proximity to fans and the media takes on extra weight — exactly the point that Donovan and Howard ask Pulisic to replicate, to recover ground on and off the field.
Read more on our latest coverage and stay tuned for updates on what happens next.