The Christian Pulisic-Folarin Balogun leadership debate that could folllow US Soccer into next World Cup

For nearly a decade, Christian Pulisic has carried a title few American soccer players have ever worn.Captain America. The face of the United States men’s national team.The player you see splashed across television commercials for Michelob Ultra, Wells Fargo, Gatorade, Volkswagen, McDonald’s, Chipotle and Puma.

The star player who is expected to deliver when the lights are the brightest.That burden comes with enormous financial rewards.It also comes with enormous responsibility.Following Team USA’s stunning 4-1 loss to Belgium in the Round of 16 at the World Cup, no American player has found himself under a harsher spotlight than Pulisic.Some of the criticism is self-inflicted.

Some is warranted.Some has crossed the line into personal attacks.

But much of it stems from one unavoidable reality: America’s biggest star simply did not produce on the world’s biggest stage.Across five matches, Pulisic scored zero goals, had one assist and attempted just three shots.Injuries repeatedly interrupted his tournament.

He dazzled during the opening half against Paraguay before a calf injury forced him off.Frankly, he never looked the same again.

He missed the Australia match, came off the bench late against Turkey, was solid against Bosnia-Herzegovina, then endured one of the poorest performances of his international career against Belgium, committing 11 first-half turnovers before leaving the game in the 59th minute with an ankle injury.When asked about the injury immediately after the loss, Pulisic explained he had twisted his ankle before adding, “Now I get time to rest.”The comment was about recovering from the injury, but the timing of it, especially in the emotional aftermath of such a horrific loss, rubbed fans the wrong way.Former players, including Carli Lloyd, Sydney Leroux, Landon Donovan and Tim Howard, criticized the remark, while social media erupted with accusations that America’s captain lacked urgency or accountability.Pulisic’s Instagra...