• •Landon Donovan publicly criticized Christian Pulisic’s leadership on Fox Sports following the 4-1 loss to Belgium.
• •The critique focused on Pulisic's role as captain after the team’s elimination in the 2026 World Cup Round of 16.
• •It remains unclear how the USMNT coaching staff or other senior squad members will address these internal criticisms as the team looks toward the next cycle.

Landon Donovan publicly expressed disappointment with Christian Pulisic’s performance and leadership during the USMNT’s 4-1 Round of 16 loss to Belgium. This critique arrives as the program grapples with a high-profile exit from a home World Cup where expectations were significantly higher. Unlike previous eras where criticism was often reserved for coaching staff or federations, the focus on Pulisic highlights a growing friction regarding the efficacy of the team's current leadership hierarchy. Whether this signals a shift in the squad's internal dynamic or a temporary frustration remains to be seen as the federation evaluates its path forward.