Former USWNT star Carli Lloyd took issue with USMNT forward Christian Pulisic for his comments after Monday's 4-1 loss to Belgium that eliminated the United States from the 2026 World Cup in the round of 16.
Pulisic, who struggled to make a big impact in the game, left the match in the 59th minute with an ankle injury. The 27-year-old later said that he'd be fine, noting that he now has time to recover.
"I just twisted my ankle or just sprained my ankle. It's just frustrating to end like that, of course. But now I get time to rest, so it'll be OK," Pulisic told Fox Sports' Jenny Taft postgame.
Lloyd, one of the most decorated players in U.S. history and a soccer analyst at Fox Sports, expressed her frustration with Pulisic's remarks on social media.
You rest when your playing career is over. Period.
— Carli Lloyd (@CarliLloyd) July 8, 2026
Pulisic also battled a calf injury that limited his participation in the group stage and forced him to miss the U.S.'s 2-0 win over Australia.
Lloyd said she expected more from Pulisic throughout the tournament.
"You wanted some of those big-time players to step up in big-time moments," Lloyd said after the loss to Belgium, according to The Athletic's Andrew Marchand. "And I gotta be honest: I was a bit disappointed in Christian Pulisic. 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. Little glimpses here and there."
Considered the face of the United States' men's soccer team, Pulisic finished the World Cup on home soil with just one assist.
He was off to a promising start in the opening match against Paraguay before being subbed off at halftime with a calf injury, a move that coach Mauricio Pochettino described as a "precaution." The U.S. defeated Paraguay 4-1.
