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Donovan Clears the Air On 'Misunderstood' Pulisic Remarks - 'Wasn't About Taking a Break'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Saurabh Saket | Last updated Jul 30, 2025 3:51 PM ET

USMNT legend Landon Donovan has never shied away from speaking his mind. The American star has been vocal about his thoughts, and national team captain Christian Pulisic found himself on Donovan's hit list following his absence during the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Donovan had expressed his disappointment with Pulisic's absence from the tournament, adding that missing their top star had been a major blow for the team. Pulisic, following his long season with AC Milan, had requested a vacation during the competition, which was approved by the management.

Donovan clears up Pulisic misconception

While many thought Donovan was displeased with Pulisic's leave, the former USMNT star has now cleared up his message, with the ex-LA Galaxy star clarifying his rant.

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Donovan, in his appearance on the Colligans podcast, talked about his message to Pulisic, stating, "I like Christian. I'm giving my opinion based on that. My issue wasn't with him taking a break; they all deserve a break. My issue was with him not taking a break after this team had nothing to play for, and then taking a 4-week break during the summer and not playing for their national team. They are not prioritizing their country."

With Pulisic missing out on the competition, the USMNT suffered a defeat in the finals of the Gold Cup at the hands of Mexico. While many felt the player could have played a big role in securing the win, his absence has allowed Mauricio Pochettino to configure his tactics, allowing him to field a more diverse playing XI in the absence of their top star. With the World Cup set to take place on home soil, fans have a lot of expectations from Pulisic and will hope the player can find his top form during the upcoming campaign.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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