Christian Pulisic defends himself as Eric Wynalda blasts Landon Donovan over USMNT star

Christian Pulisic faced fresh scrutiny after the USMNT’s World Cup exit-but now a USMNT legend is pushing back.

What happened to Christian Pulisic in the World Cup?

The USMNT crashed out of the tournament after a 3-1 loss to Mauricio Pochettino’s side on 29 November 2022. Pulisic, widely seen as the team’s best player, came off injured with the score already 3-1. Media and pundits piled on Pulisic for not fighting to the end, but the AC Milan forward had suffered a calf strain just days before the match.

Landon Donovan, the former LA Galaxy striker, took aim at Pulisic’s toughness. *“I would have had to be dragged off the field,”* Donovan said. *“I would have died out there with my teammates.”* His comments stoked a debate over Pulisic’s commitment.

Why Eric Wynalda stood up for Christian Pulisic

Eric Wynalda, a USMNT legend, fired back during a Schein Time interview. *“He’s got people like Landon Donovan taking shots at him, which I don’t appreciate,”* Wynalda said. He pointed to Donovan’s own sabbatical in 2012-13 as proof he shouldn’t weigh in on Pulisic’s struggles.

Wynalda didn’t sugarcoat Pulisic’s performance. *“All the facts are working against him right now,”* he admitted. But he argued Pulisic isn’t a headline-grabbing superstar. *“He doesn’t want to be a superstar. He just wants to be a guy on a team that can help when he can.”*

Did Pulisic have a choice?

Pulisic’s injury limited him physically. The USMNT’s tactics also came under fire. Wynalda suggested Pepi could have started instead, knowing Pulisic wasn’t at full strength. *“Putting Pulisic wasn’t the smart choice,”* he said.

The fallout shows how quickly narratives shift after big losses. Pulisic, the AC Milan attacker, now faces questions over his future role in the USMNT setup.

What comes next for Christian Pulisic?

The debate over Pulisic’s toughness won’t fade soon. Donovan’s comments add pressure on the USMNT’s next cycle. Wynalda’s defense offers Pulisic a shield-but the real test is his recovery and return to form.

Pulisic’s next club fixture is still weeks away. The USMNT’s next camp looms large. His ability to silence critics may hinge on proving he’s back at his best.