While the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) prepares for the Concacaf Gold Cup, a significant focus is on Christian Pulisic, who is absent from the squad.

The star player was omitted from the USMNT’s roster for pre-Gold Cup friendlies and chose to skip the tournament altogether due to his intense match schedule. This decision was made with the team’s guidance, considering Pulisic’s heavy workload of 57 matches for club and country in the 2024-25 season.

Initially, the soccer community accepted this choice, but Landon Donovan’s criticism ignited tension between him and Pulisic’s father, Mark. Donovan expressed his displeasure publicly, contrasting Pulisic’s absence with his own experiences as a player.

Pulisic addressed these criticisms in a recent CBS Sports segment, asserting, “To question my commitment towards the national team, in my opinion, is out of line.” He emphasized the importance of rest as he prepares for future competitions, especially with the World Cup on the horizon.

The incident has sparked a wider conversation among fans and analysts, further intensified by criticisms from other soccer personalities such as Eddie Johnson and Clint Dempsey, who defended Pulisic’s choice and condemned the double standards presented by Donovan’s past decisions.

This ongoing situation raises questions about commitment and personal health within the competitive sports landscape.