​Carli Lloyd voiced strong disappointment with how the United States performed in their 4-1 World Cup Round of 16 defeat to Belgium on Monday in Dallas, Texas, calling the team’s performance another embarrassing moment for the U.S. women’s national team. Before the knockout game even began, Lloyd criticized the squad’s body language and overall readiness, suggesting they looked as though they were already defeated in spirit prior to taking the field. She argued that the mood and demeanor from the start reflected a lack of confidence and decisiveness, noting that big-game players should rise to the occasion in high-pressure moments, something she felt was missing.
Lloyd also expressed particular dissatisfaction with Christian Pulisic’s level of influence during the match and throughout the tournament. She acknowledged the challenges the team faced and indicated that, despite Pulisic’s status and potential star power, he did not deliver consistently enough to lift the U.S. in this campaign. Her assessment encompassed the entire World Cup experience, pointing to occasional flashes of quality but not the sustained impact expected from a player of his caliber.
In the match against Belgium, Pulisic’s World Cup journey ended on a downward note. The AC Milan forward was subbed off just before the hour mark after a heavy challenge from Youri Tielemans in the 54th minute. After initially staying down, Pulisic attempted to continue but was forced to limp off with an ankle issue, visibly emotional as he left the pitch. He later described the moment as frustrating and acknowledged the emotional toll of the defeat.
“It’s just frustrating to end like that, of course,” Pulisic told reporters after the game. “Now I have time to rest, so it’ll be OK.” He added that the summer had been an incredible journey and that he never wanted it to end. He expressed gratitude to the American people for their unwavering support and described the experience as unforgettable, while also looking ahead to future challenges. The forward reflected on the need to rebound and to advance to the next level, emphasizing the goal of competing with and defeating the world’s best teams.
Pulisic’s tournament arc included an earlier calf injury sustained in the opening match against Paraguay, which forced him to leave at halftime and return only during the second half of the group-stage finale against Türkiye. He will conclude his second World Cup with one assist across four appearances. As the U.S. team and its supporters process this exit, questions about leadership, consistency, and the ability to perform under pressure will likely dominate discussions in the days and weeks ahead. The broader takeaway remains: the United States must regroup, refine its approach, and push to elevate performance in order to contend with the world’s elite teams in future World Cups.