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Is Landon Donovan a hypocrite? Christian Pulisic feud explodes

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Andy Hageman | Last updated Jun 10, 2025 11:49 PM ET

Landon Donovan’s scathing remarks about USMNT players skipping the CONCACAF Gold Cup have ignited a fierce debate. The soccer legend slammed stars like Christian Pulisic for opting out, questioning their pride. Weston McKennie fired back, defending his teammates’ choices and exposing the hypocrisy in Donovan’s stance.

McKennie’s Measured Defense

Weston McKennie didn’t mince words when addressing Donovan’s criticism. He argued that players prioritize health and form, not neglect the national team per Reuters. “Everyone’s got opinions, but they don’t know our realities,” he said.

Donovan’s Past Haunts Him

The controversy deepened when Mark Pulisic, Christian’s father, highlighted Donovan’s 2012 sabbatical. Donovan took a break citing exhaustion yet now critiques players for similar choices per Marca. Christian’s Instagram “like” on the post was also a less-than subtle jab.

A Shifting Soccer Culture

This clash reveals a generational divide in U.S. soccer. Donovan’s era prized unrelenting duty; today’s players embrace science-backed recovery per CBS Sports. Balancing passion with well-being is the new norm.

Team Chemistry at Risk?

The USMNT’s recent losses in friendlies have intensified scrutiny on team dynamics. This public clash between Donovan and McKennie risks fracturing locker room unity, with European-based stars feeling misunderstood per ESPN. Healing these rifts is crucial to building a cohesive squad for World Cup 2026.

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

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