A Call to Reflection
Christian Pulisic has been under fire for his performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but he has found support from US soccer icons Landon Donovan and Tim Howard. Both Donovan and Howard have expressed empathy for Pulisic, acknowledging the challenges he faces, but also urging him to reassess his approach off the pitch.
A Need for Change
Donovan and Howard believe that Pulisic's entourage and the people around him are contributing to the negative perception of the player. "This is an opportunity to help and to change your life forever," Donovan said on his podcast, "Unfiltered Soccer," with Howard. "One of the biggest problems — I speak to people who are at U.S. Soccer. I speak to his sponsors. I speak to his teammates. I speak to the staff and the coaches. People are fed up with the way things are handled around him."
Donovan also shared his own experiences, drawing parallels between his situation after the 2006 FIFA World Cup and Pulisic's current situation. "I have been in his shoes. … I know the feeling. The feeling is identical," Donovan said. "I would just say this: It led me to therapy. It led me to take a look at my life and my career honestly for the first time. It allowed me to have massive, important conversations with people I love in my life about all things, not just soccer, and it changed my life forever, in a positive way."
Finding a Way Forward
While Pulisic's 2026 US team went further than Donovan's 2006 squad, the 27-year-old didn't contribute significantly to the team's success, logging zero goals and an assist during the tournament. As Pulisic faces backlash, Howard hopes he takes a break from social media and reevaluates his 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."
Donovan and Howard's comments come as Pulisic faces criticism for his performance and his post-match comments, including his statement that he has "time to rest". As the US soccer star navigates this challenging time, he would do well to heed the advice of his predecessors and make a concerted effort to change his approach and reconnect with fans.
