Christian Pulisic’s dad escalated feud with Landon Donovan in Instagram post
Christian Pulisic's father didn't like that the USMNT legend called out his son.
It's a new week, which means new drama for the U.S. men's national team. And this time, Christian Pulisic's father, Mark, is getting involved.
In the wake of the USMNT star's absence from the Gold Cup roster, Pulisic has been subjected to criticism from all sides of the U.S. soccer community. Pulisic — who was coming off a career year at AC Milan — had asked head coach Mauricio Pochettino to leave him off the Gold Cup roster in order to rest and recover this summer.
Yet, the Gold Cup represents the final competitive tournament the USMNT will have before next year's World Cup. It is also the last remaining extended training camp together. And with a new coach trying to implement his system, it was a terrible look for Pulisic to ask for it off.
On Sunday, Landon Donovan watched as a 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo helped lead Portugal to a UEFA Nations League title — a newer tournament with little prestige relative to other UEFA events. But the fact that the top Spain and Portugal players were willing to play for their national teams in that when USMNT players opted to skip the Gold Cup — well, it had Donovan frustrated.
“This is what it means to represent your country.”
Landon Donovan goes OFF on USMNT players sitting out from international duty.
pic.twitter.com/OfX6TcGfBQ— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) June 9, 2025
Donovan said of Ronaldo:
"He’s tired. He’s out there grinding. Hurt himself in the process, and I can’t help but think about our guys on vacation, not wanting to play in the Gold Cup. It’s pissing me off.”
It was an obvious swipe at Pulisic, Yunus Musah and Antonee Robinson who all are skipping the Gold Cup without injuries or Club World Cup obligations. Mark Pulisic saw those comments, and he put together the most Soccer Dad response.
In an Instagram post of a ChatGPT screenshot, Mark asked for information about Donovan's sabbatical in 2012. The post was liked by Christian as well.
Christian Pulisic’s dad Mark claps back at Landon Donovan for criticizing USMNT players for sitting out of the Gold Cup, referencing the sabbatical he took in his career.
Christian Pulisic also liked the post. pic.twitter.com/DfRF3ixsvl— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) June 9, 2025
Back then, Donovan wanted time away from the game to focus on his mental health. He had already played a major role in three World Cup runs for the USMNT, but then-head coach Jurgen Klinsmann held the absence against Donovan and left him off the 2014 World Cup roster.
Donovan notably did not skip out on his team during the last competitive opportunity before a World Cup. He took part in World Cup qualifying matches in the lead-up to 2014 and participated in the 2013 Gold Cup. He was on the final squad for friendlies before the shocking revelation that he was left off the roster heading to Brazil.
Pulisic's situation is entirely different, and it was yet another poor display from a USMNT parent to use the sabbatical against Donovan.
And judging from the "like," Christian doesn't recognize that difference either.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Christian Pulisic’s dad sparked feud with Landon Donovan on Instagram
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