McKenney Defends Pulisic Amid Donovan’s Criticism

Weston McKenney has come to the defense of his US men’s national team teammate, Christian Pulisic, following critical comments made by former football star Landon Donovan. Donovan voiced his frustrations during Fox Sports’ coverage over the weekend, discussing Pulisic’s absence from the Gold Cup roster.

This summer, Pulisic won’t participate in the Gold Cup due to a lengthy schedule with his club, AC Milan, alongside teammates Yunus Musa and Antonee Robinson.

During the UEFA Nations League broadcast, Donovan expressed his annoyance, hinting at his feelings about Pulisic’s choice without naming him directly. He remarked, “I can’t help but think about not wanting to play in the Gold Cup while our peers are on vacation. That’s making me mad.”

In response, McKenney stepped up to support Pulisic, emphasizing the significance of national team participation. “None of us takes playing for the national team lightly. No one wants to lose,” he said in an interview with USA Today. “We all want to compete, and it’s a bit disheartening. I think back to my days with the national team.”

McKenney pointed out that many players before had faced scrutiny when they didn’t qualify for major tournaments, yet they too dealt with similar pressures.

Pulisic has faced criticism from other former USMNT players, including Clint Dempsey and Alexi Lalas, as the national team approaches the World Cup, which will take place next year while the US, Mexico, and Canada co-host.

McKenney, who will also miss the Gold Cup while participating in the Club World Cup with Juventus, expressed his commitment to prioritizing his fitness, stating it’s crucial to play at one’s best to avoid injury.

Notably, Pulisic’s father, Mark, also weighed in on the situation, referencing Donovan’s past sabbatical during his career. He criticized Donovan for his comments on commitment, suggesting that Donovan should reflect on his own decisions.

Pulisic has shown support for these viewpoints, especially as discussions continue around the implications of player choices and commitment to the national team.

It’s noteworthy that Donovan took a hiatus from football between 2012 and 2013, which led him to skip World Cup qualifiers ahead of the 2014 tournament.