​The Sporting News asked why Carli Lloyd, a former U.S. Women’s National Team star, kept taking aim at Christian Pulisic, the face of the U.S. men’s soccer program, and what sparked the ongoing tension. The article notes that this piece originally appeared on The Sporting News and invites readers to set The Sporting News as a preferred source.
In the wake of the United States’ 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the Round of 16, the game was described as a total collapse rather than a string of isolated errors. Among all players, Christian Pulisic faced the most scrutiny after the loss, with some labeling him USMNT captain America even as his World Cup run fell short of expectations—no goals and limited full matches due to injuries.
Following the defeat, Lloyd’s critiques of Pulisic became a focal point, even as she has historically praised him at times. Lloyd’s comments come in the context of her long-established credibility, having won two Women’s World Cups and even delivering a famous hat trick in the 2015 final. Yet, her stance on Pulisic has varied over time, and in 2024 she drew attention for suggesting Pulisic was among the sport’s emerging top talents.
The current tension appears to surface as Lloyd, now working as a Fox Sports analyst, offers blunt assessments of Pulisic’s performance. She also expressed her views from her personal account, signaling a more pointed critique of the Milan-based star on social media.
What Lloyd has said about Pulisic is examined here in detail. After the United States’ loss to Belgium, Lloyd’s critique was direct: “You wanted some of the big-time players to step up in big moments, and I’ve got to be honest, I was a bit disappointed in Christian Pulisic. I think, whether he wants to be the star of this team or not, we didn’t see enough from him in this particular game and really the whole World Cup.” Her remarks came as part of her duties as a Fox Sports commentator, offering her take on Pulisic’s performance.
The discussion also touched on Pulisic’s comments about resting after his ankle injury against Belgium. “I just twisted my ankle, sprained my ankle. It’s frustrating to end like that of course. But now I get time to rest, so hopefully it’ll be okay,” Pulisic said, remarks that Lloyd did not mince words about, posting on Tuesday night, “You rest when your playing career is over. Period,” from her personal account, which many interpreted as a reply to Pulisic’s stance.
Throughout, the article notes that while Lloyd has not publicly named Pulisic, her messages were clearly aimed at him, highlighting the delicate balance between constructive criticism and personal public feuds in a sport that thrives on star power. The piece closes by reflecting on the broader debate about Pulisic’s role and status within the USMNT, especially in light of the 2026 World Cup discussions and roster projections for the team. It underscores the broader question of how much accountability stars should bear for a team’s performance and how former players transition into critical media voices when evaluating the next generation of U.S. soccer leaders.