Reuters/Troy Wayrynen | Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports
Former USWNT striker Carli Lloyd has doubled down on her criticism of Christian Pulisic
Former USWNT great Carli Lloyd was critical of men’s national team star Christian Pulisic in the immediate aftermath of the loss to Belgium, calling his display in the tournament “disappointing.” Lloyd has continued to put the heat on Pulisic with a response to his comments about being able to rest.
After the United States men’s national team’s 4-1 loss to Belgium in the Round of 16, Christian Pulisic spoke to Fox Sports about the injury he suffered that forced him off the pitch against Belgium just before the 60th minute.
“I just twisted my ankle, just sprained my ankle. It’s just frustrating to end like that, of course, but now I have time to rest, so it’ll be okay,” Pulisic said.
The nonchalant gimmick NEEDS TO END!
I get to rest now?! BE SO FR! pic.twitter.com/qOnYNLl9dl
— Noah Riffe (@NoahRiffe) July 7, 2026
Former USWNT striker Carli Lloyd has doubled down on her criticism of Christian Pulisic by taking a shot at his comments about getting rest
Pulisic’s comments and general tone did not go well with American soccer fans, nor apparently Carli Lloyd, who directly addressed what the AC Milan winger said with a direct post on social media.
You rest when your playing career is over. Period.
— Carli Lloyd (@CarliLloyd) July 8, 2026
During the postgame show following the USMNT’s Round of 16 loss, Lloyd said that “big time players” such as Pulisic failed to step up.
“It’s a bit of a downer for us being out here now after this loss, but I felt like they lost the game before they even stepped out onto the pitch,” Lloyd said immediately after the match. “I’m not sure why, and I don’t know the reasons, but just from the beginning, just chasing, tentative, scared, just not confident on the ball. And I think big-time players— you wanted some of those big-time players to step up in big moments.”
“I gotta be honest, I was a bit disappointed with 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. Little glimpses here and there,” she added.
Lloyd’s opinion of Pulisic is particularly relevant because she’s one of the few people who has the unique experience and knowledge of what it takes to be the leader of an American national soccer team and deliver at the World Cup, as Lloyd captained the USWNT to a World Cup title in 2015 and famously scored a hat trick in the final against Japan.