Christian Pulisic, the star forward and face of the U.S. men’s national soccer team, has faced intense backlash following the USMNT’s 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the World Cup round of 16. Unlike previous early exits where criticism was more evenly spread across the team, Pulisic is being singled out as the primary scapegoat. Former U.S. soccer legends and prominent analysts have publicly questioned his heart and leadership, portraying him as a quitter who failed to live up to his “Captain America” nickname during the crucial match.

The criticism has been particularly harsh from figures like women’s soccer icon Carli Lloyd, who condemned Pulisic’s lackluster performance and attitude, especially after he appeared to downplay the seriousness of a sprained ankle by saying he could “rest” following the game. Men’s soccer greats including Landon Donovan and Tim Howard have echoed this sentiment, criticizing Pulisic for allegedly asking to be substituted and not fighting through injury, pointing to their own experiences of perseverance during tough moments as contrasting examples.

Beyond on-field struggles, concerns have grown about the management of Pulisic’s brand and public image. Despite earning an estimated $20 million annually from major sponsors such as Puma, Volkswagen, and Hershey’s, insiders reveal that people close to U.S. Soccer, sponsors, and media are frustrated with how his career is handled, citing issues with his agents, family, and overall communication strategy. Donovan has called for Pulisic to undergo media training and “man up,” emphasizing the need for a significant change to salvage his standing both on and off the field.

Although Pulisic recently acknowledged fans' support on Instagram and expressed regret for not delivering more, the heated media environment and criticism from soccer veterans underscore the challenges he faces in restoring his reputation. The negative sentiment had been simmering for years and erupted following this World Cup performance, with some critics suggesting it may take until at least the 2030 World Cup for Pulisic’s legacy to recover fully. Meanwhile, the U.S. soccer community and Pulisic’s camp appear to be preparing for a public image overhaul in the aftermath of the disappointing tournament exit.