The atmosphere was supposed to be celebratory. With just one year to go before the United States co-hosts the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expectations for the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) were sky-high. Instead, those hopes were drowned in boos and bewilderment following a 4-0 humiliation against Switzerland in their final tune-up before the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
The defeat marked Mauricio Pochettino’s fourth consecutive loss in charge, and fans were left angry, not only by what they witnessed on the field—but also by a cryptic five-word message from their absent star, Christian Pulisic.
The match quickly spiraled out of control for the Americans. Dan Ndoye opened the scoring in just the 12th minute, and from that point on, it became a training exercise for the 20th-ranked Swiss side. Michel Aebischer added another ten minutes later, capitalizing on a defensive midfield gap, and things deteriorated further when a goalkeeping error by Matt Turner allowed a third. Johan Manzambi then delivered the knockout punch in the 36th minute, rounding off a half that saw the USMNT concede four times in just over half an hour.
Fans at the stadium responded with loud boos at halftime. Despite some tactical changes and improved energy in the second half, the U.S. failed to register even a single shot on target. With two goals scored and nine conceded in their last four games, pressure is mounting on Pochettino, especially as he attempts to prepare a depleted squad for the Gold Cup and next year’s World Cup.
Hidden message that fueled more rage
While the on-field issues drew concern, it was Christian Pulisic’s social media post that truly ignited fury. The 26-year-old, who opted out of the Gold Cup this summer, had been largely silent since the announcement. But on Tuesday—as his teammates were dismantled by Switzerland—he posted a series of vacation photos to Instagram with a five-word caption that instantly lit up social media: “Just what the doctor ordered.”
The images showed Pulisic enjoying time with his girlfriend Alexa Melton, relaxing with friends, and posing with family, clearly savoring a well-earned break. But for fans already fuming about the team’s form, the timing and tone of the message came off as tone-deaf—especially with many questioning the leadership vacuum left by his absence.
The backlash grew louder after USMNT legend Landon Donovan criticized unnamed players for skipping national duty. “I can’t help but think about some of our guys on vacation right now not wanting to play in the Gold Cup. It’s p*ssing me off,” Donovan said during Fox’s coverage of the UEFA Nations League final. While he didn’t name the Milan star directly, the implication was clear.
Adding fuel to the fire, Pulisic’s father, Mark, also made headlines with a scathing response to Donovan’s comments, defending his son’s decision and stirring further debate about player priorities, commitment, and communication.
