Christian Pulisic<\/strong> took to Instagram to address the USMNT\u2019s<\/strong> elimination from the 2026 World Cup<\/a><\/strong>, sending a heartfelt message to fans days after the team\u2019s 4-1 Round of 16 loss to Belgium<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The forward began by thanking supporters, while also acknowledging that the tournament\u2019s ending wasn\u2019t good enough on his part. \u201cTough to find the words. I want to start by saying thank you to everyone who believed. The support carried us all the way through. It simply wasn\u2019t good enough from us in the end<\/strong> and I wanted to deliver so much more<\/em>,\u201d Pulisic<\/a> began.<\/p>\n The AC Milan forward closed his message by noting that this is only the beginning of growth for this team and for the sport in the country. \u201cI still feel blessed to be a part of this team. The memories this summer will last a lifetime. It\u2019s just the start for us and for this sport in America<\/strong><\/em>,\u201d Pulisic wrote.<\/p>\n While the USMNT<\/a> were thrashed by Belgium in the Round of 16, the team came within one match of matching their best-ever finish<\/strong>, when they reached the quarterfinals<\/strong> at the 2002 edition in South Korea-Japan before falling to Germany.<\/p>\n Despite the heartfelt message to fans, Pulisic is facing the harshest criticism of anyone right now. The forward was forced off in the 59th minute<\/strong> of the loss to Belgium after twisting his ankle, but what upset fans was what he said after the match.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n see also<\/p>\n Christian Pulisic offers injury update as he leaves World Cup with one major regret after USMNT\u2019s elimination<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just frustrating to end like that, of course. But now I have time to rest<\/strong>. I feel it\u2019ll be OK<\/em>,\u201d Pulisic said on Fox<\/em>, referring to his recovery. The 27-year-old was criticized by Landon Donovan<\/strong><\/a>, along with former U.S. women\u2019s national team players Carli Lloyd<\/strong> and Sydney Leroux<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cHe rested the entire World Cup<\/strong><\/em>,\u201d Leroux wrote on her X (formerly Twitter) account, while Lloyd also piled on, writing, \u201cYou rest when your playing career is over. Period<\/strong><\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\nPulisic faces intense criticism<\/h2>\n
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