Christian Pulisic's Dad Calls Out Landon Donovan amid USMNT Comments, Gold Cup Absence

During Sunday's UEFA Nations League final, former USMNT forward and current Fox Sports pundit Landon Donovan called out a number of the players from the men's national team for not appearing in the upcoming Gold Cup.

"This is what it means to represent your country," he said, referencing 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo playing for Portugal. "This is what it means. And if you don't want to take this as a professional soccer player, as someone who gets the opportunity to wear that jersey and take it seriously and responsibly, then don't come in. This is what it means."

On Monday, Christian Pulisic's father, Mark, took issue with those comments, and his son seemingly agreed with his take while liking the social media post:

The Pulisics aren't the only ones to make that point:

The AC Milan and USMNT star made the decision to skip the Gold Cup to give himself a rest after a few long seasons for both club and country. Yunus Musah and Antonee Robinson also chose to sit out the tournament to rest.

Pulisic's decision was made alongside the U.S. Soccer Federation, and one that manager Mauricio Pochettino has publicly supported.

"Christian is a very nice guy, is very committed to the national team and he wants to help and of course is desperate to play in the [2026] World Cup and arrive in the best condition," he said. "All these conversations that we were taking with the players, I think that was the best decision to help him because every player are in different circumstances."

But while Donovan didn't reference Pulisic by name, he didn't hold back when criticizing the players who weren't participating in the Gold Cup.

"[Ronaldo is] 40 years old. He's played a long-ass season. He's tired. He's out there grinding," Donovan added. "Hurt himself in the process, and I can't help but think about some of our guys on vacation, not wanting to play in the Gold Cup. It's pissing me off."

Donovan isn't making a new point. Others have levied similar criticisms at USMNT players in the past. The counterargument is that top players—especially ones in European leagues—are asked to play a grueling schedule for club and country, with a relatively short offseason. They have to find a moment to rest at some point, and Pulisic believes it's in his best long-term interests to choose this moment to take such a break.

The entire thing would be a moot point if a large number of first-team options were available for the tournament. That isn't the case, however, due to injury, rest or other commitments (namely the Club World Cup).

But because the United States will have an incredibly diluted roster for the Gold Cup—and because Pulisic is the face of the USMNT—the debate has now become a major talking point.