Pulisic Defends Gold Cup Decision Amidst Criticism from Former U.S. Stars

Christian Pulisic, the United States winger, has addressed the criticism surrounding his decision to not participate in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, stating that those challenging his dedication to the national team are "way out of line." After a demanding season with AC Milan, where he played 50 matches, Pulisic believes that prioritizing rest and recovery is the correct approach, particularly with the World Cup looming next year in North America.

In addition to Pulisic, other players like Yunus Musah and Antonee Robinson have also opted out of the Gold Cup, which runs from June 14 to July 6, despite not being sidelined by injuries. The decision to withdraw has led to backlash from former U.S. soccer stars such as Landon Donovan and Alexi Lalas, whose criticism Pulisic finds particularly disheartening, given that he admired them growing up.

During a recent interview with CBS Sports, Pulisic conveyed his dismay over the mixed messages from these former players, acknowledging that while he looked up to them, the public questioning of his commitment felt unwarranted. He mentioned that while constructive criticism regarding his performance is acceptable, implying a lack of dedication is unfair and not reflective of his true commitment to the national team. The recent 4-0 defeat to Switzerland has underscored the challenges facing the U.S. team in this period.