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FOX Announcer Calls Out Christian Pulisic For Gold Cup Decision

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Jun 13, 2025 5:58 PM ET

The CONCACAF Gold Cup, the largest soccer tournament in North America, is beginning soon and will be arguably the United States' biggest readiness test for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But longtime star Christian Pulisic won't be there, much to the dismay of fans and analysts alike.

Pulisic recently announced his decision to skip the Gold Cup, citing the rigors of the 2025-26 season he spent in Italy with A.C. Milan.

"I had to make the best decision for myself, and also in the long run for my team even though clearly some people haven't seen it that way," Pulisic said.

That excuse didn't fly with longtime FOX announcer Stuart Holden. Appearing on First Things First, Holden slammed Pulisic for turning down the Gold Cup.

After initially empathizing with his issue, he asserted that Pulisic must not see the Gold Cup as a priority and believes that U.S. soccer players need to show up for more than just the World Cup.

"Some of it, of course (is warranted)," Holden said.

"You need your leaders out there. You don’t just get turned up for the World Cup."

"You need your leaders out there. You don’t just get turned up for the World Cup."@stuholden on Christian Pulisic sitting out of this year's Gold Cup pic.twitter.com/1jdF76h6oF
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) June 13, 2025

Holden was actually a lot more calm in some of the language he used in describing his frustration with Pulisic. USMNT legend Landon Donovan was not.

Donovan went after Pulisic and every other USMNT star who opted out of the Gold Cup, pointing out that 40-year-old global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is still representing his national team even after playing an entire season of soccer.

"This is what it means to represent your country," Donovan said on Fox this week. "(Ronaldo is) 40 years old. He's played a long-ass season. He's tired. He's out there grinding, 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."

It doesn't help that the USMNT doesn't seem to be gelling under head coach Mauricio Pochettino either. The team has lost four straight games and are 5-5 since Pochettino took over last year.

Having his best players for the biggest competition they'll have before the World Cup sure would have helped the process along.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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