Former United States men’s national team forward Eric Wynalda was vocal in his support of Christian Pulisic’s decision to sit out for the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup.
A litany of USMNT fans were furious with Pulisic after he requested to not compete in the USA’s final competition ahead of next summer’s home World Cup. The reasoning behind Pulisic’s absence is because he wants rest.
Wynalda took aim at the fans on social media calling out Pulisic. He claimed on his show, “Unleashed”, that fans have never played at a high level before and don’t have the grounds to criticize Pulisic.
The 55-year-old who made over 100 appearances for the national team also urged fans to continue supporting the USMNT.
Eric Wynalda Pulisic defense
️ "You've never played in a World Cup. He has. So respect the decision."
Eric Wynalda fires back at the outrage over Pulisic skipping the Gold Cup. ⚽Watch the full episode of Unleashed now #USMNT #Pulisic #GoldCup #Unleashed #GOLZTV
— GOLZ TV (@golz_tv) May 26, 2025
“Calm down people. Understand that you have never played in a World Cup. You have never played at a high level in football, and he’s playing at possibly the highest level,” Wynalda said. “Just take this for what it is. Try to respect the decision that has been made. Continue to support the U.S. national team - whoever puts on the shirt, because that is your job.
“That’s my job, I’m going to support the players who take the field in this Gold Cup.
“And the fact that Christian Pulisic is not going to be on the field is not going to affect how I support this team in any way, shape, or form.
"Support your team. Stop going on social media and attacking this young man and this decision that is obviously the best decision that he could possibly make at this juncture, at this moment in time for the national team’s future.”
Wynalda has been critical of Pulisic in the past claiming that the Milan forward isn’t a leader and shouldn’t wear the captain’s armband for the U.S. anymore.
It seems this time around Wynalda is on team Pulisic.
The USMNT’s 2025 Gold Cup begins on June 15 against Trinidad and Tobago.
