The former USMNT star called into question the players' priorities after they opted to step out of the 2025 Gold Cup
Donovan understands players needing breaksPulisic in meaningless matches for Milan raises concernsRobinson's participation for Fulham also problematicGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED
Fomer U.S. Soccer star Landon Donovan addressed Christian Pulisic's absence from the USMNT Gold Cup roster, pointing out that – while the player cited the need for rest as his reason for declining participation – he continued to play for AC Milan in matches with little significance.
This comes after Pulisic played in the final two league games.
“With Christian, I think the hard part with him is, he is, whether he likes it or not, the leader of this team,” Donovan said on his Unfiltered Soccer podcast with Tim Howard. “And that’s the kind of influence a leader has, because other guys hear, get wind of Christian not going, and say ‘Maybe I don’t want to go.' So with Christian, I put him separate, he’s played a ton of games, he’s been the leader, he’s been the man, he performs, and he cares, it shows that he cares.
“But the problem I have with Christian, in the last few weeks, is that he’s still playing for Milan. So if you’re tired and you’re burned out, whatever. If you guys are still playing for a Champions League spot, I get. But they had nothing to play for this weekend."
AdvertisementGettyWHAT LANDON DONOVAN SAID
Donovan, who scored 161 league goals in his club career, also said he's confused about Antonee Robinson's absence from the Gold Cup roster. Fulham announced this week that Robinson underwent successful minor right knee surgery and will now be undergoing a period of rehabilitation over the summer in order to be ready for the start of the 2025-26 season.
“The Jedi Robinson thing, so if people remember, he took time off during the Nations League because he needed to get his knee right.," he said. "So he also now said, he’s not going to go to the Gold Cup, he doesn’t want to go to the Gold Cup. Fine, you’ve had a long season, you’ve performed great. But why are you starting playing 90 minutes in the last two games for Fulham if your knee is still messed up?"
The former LA Galaxy star was critical of the prioritization from the U.S. Soccer's 2024 Male Player of the Year Award winner.
“What are you doing? What kind of message is that sending?" he said. "If you are really injured, then no problem, totally fine and we respect that because everyone has to make the decision that’s best for them. What the hell are you doing?
"So my biggest thing is the national team is not a priority for them. I’m not going to say they don’t care, there are levels of caring, but it’s just not a priority for them. If it was, Antonee would have said, ‘I’m not playing these last four games because I want to play in the Gold Cup, ’ period, end of story.”
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
These absences reflect a broader challenge for the USMNT regarding player commitment and priorities. According to Donovan, the pattern suggests the national team isn't a true priority for some of its most important players.
Getty Images SportWHAT’S NEXT?
The USMNT will begin their Gold Cup campaign on June 14 against Trinidad and Tobago after friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland on June 7 and 10, respectively.