Alexi Lalas Defends Christian Pulisic Amid Criticism After World Cup Performance

USMNT midfielder Christian Pulisic has taken a ton of heat this week over how he performed throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup culminating in 60 lackluster minutes before going off injured in Monday's loss to Belgium. Some are ready to never see Pulisic ever suit up in Stars & Stripes again, but Alexi Lalas has a different take.

On his State of the Union podcast, the FOX soccer analyst asserted that he still believes Pulisic can contribute a lot to the USMNT. But he also conceded that Pulisic might not be the face of American soccer anymore. Nevertheless, he believes that Pulisic can still contribute in a big way and expects him to be part of the team in the 2030 World Cup (assuming the U.S. qualifies).

"When it comes to Christian Pulisic, in terms of him eventually and potentially being the best male American soccer player, I think it's now going to be have to be relative to what he does from a club perspective. Which has been incredible, but he is yet to have that World Cup and that type of moment that transcends and surpasses all of his club accomplishments. And it remains to be seen whether going forward this team is going to be built around Christian Pulisic," Lalas said.

"I still think he has a lot to give. But this has hurt his brand; this has hurt the perception of who he is as the face and Captain America. You know the accusations of being soft, what happened last summer and all that. That's not going to go away, and that is now on his resume, if you will.

But you know, he is a big boy. I think he can handle it, and who knows, maybe next World Cup ends up being his World Cup, but I think there is going to be a lot of change when it comes to this team going forward."

Falling on Deaf Ears?

U.S. soccer fans didn't seem to wanna hear Lalas' more measured and hopeful response though. His comments section is filled to the brim with people wanting the USMNT to either build around someone else or dump Pulisic entirely:

"Ummm. Is this parody? Even his own teammates are tired of his act. Build around Richards and Robinson and get a decent back and a keeper. The worry about the front," one user replied.

"Please god, let this be his last World Cup. Pulisic is overhyped and an absolutely embarrassment to our program," another declared.

"Honestly, this is tough for him to overcome because this WAS his moment. He's in his prime at 27 and completely dropped the ball and didn't perform. I think he returns in 2030 but his role is smaller. It's a shame really because he's a great player just not built for the moment," a third lamented.

"Hell no. He shouldn't be on the team representing the flag. It stands for everything he is not."

"Pulisic has already pulled a hammy for the next World Cup."

"Build around Balogun, Tillman, Berhalter, Freeman. Richards and Wes will likely be there. You don't want to take a roster full of thirtysomethings to a World Cup. Int'l soccer demands require younger legs, but let merit sort it all."

Lalas has made his position clear, but so have the fans. The more important question is where the coaches will stand three years and 11 months from now.

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This story was originally published July 8, 2026 at 5:54 PM.