The dynamic between Mauricio Pochettino and Christian Pulisic has been under the microscope since the summer, raising the question: have they truly buried the hatchet?

Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah have now responded directly to the criticism from figures like Landon Donovan — doing so with a pointed, eight-word reality check that’s impossible to ignore.

Inside the USMNT locker room, there was no division over Pulisic’s absence, with Adams confirming that every player supported his choice as the squad focused on long-term goals ahead of the World Cup.

While many fans and analysts accepted this as a reasonable move, one voice of disapproval — Landon Donovan, a legend of the Stars and Stripes — cut through the noise and sparked a storm of controversy.

A respected USMNT legend has come to the defense of Pulisic and his fellow absentees, backing their decision to rest and blasting their critics with a harsh nine-word claim that has reignited the national debate.

Mexico beat the United States 2–1 in a heated Gold Cup final, with Edson Álvarez scoring the winning goal in the 77th minute after a first-half equalizer and early U.S. lead.

After scoring the equalizer against the USMNT in the Gold Cup final, Mexico striker Raul Jimenez emulated Diogo Jota's celebration.

With a great header, Chris Richards scored the opening goal for the USMNT against Mexico in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup final.

With Mexico and the USMNT clashing for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup final, Santiago Gimenez issued a bold statement to his teammates at AC Milan Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah.

USA and Mexico meet in the 2025 Gold Cup final. Soccer fans across the country can watch all the action live through multiple television networks and leading streaming services.

Mexico and the United States will face each other for the eighth time in a Gold Cup final, with El Tri holding the edge in the rivalry with five wins out of seven previous meetings.

The U.S. reached the final with a 2–1 win over surprise contender Guatemala, despite missing key European-based players like Pulisic, Musah, and McKennie.

Mexico will face Honduras in the 2025 Gold Cup semifinals, with a spot in the final on the line. Soccer fans across the country can watch all the action live through multiple TV broadcasts and major streaming services.

USA will face Guatemala in the 2025 Gold Cup semifinals, with a spot in the final on the line. Soccer fans across the country can watch all the action live through multiple TV broadcasts and major streaming services.

The United States will face Guatemala on Wednesday, July 2, in the semifinals of the 2025 Gold Cup. The matchup will be held in St. Louis, as both teams prepare for a do-or-die battle with a spot in the final on the line.