- Twellman says the team lost work ethic, determination
- Contrasted 2014 World Cup ambition with current team
- Says U.S. players face far less pressure
Addressing the ongoing tension between current USMNT players and critics, Apple TV analyst Taylor Twellman said that, while he believes Christian Pulisic is committed to the USMNT, his decision to skip the Gold Cup and the way he handled the announcement opened him up to fair criticism.
Pulisic maintains he made the right decision to withdraw from the summer tournament, and called out critics – especially former men’s وطني team players – who questioned his passion. His father and several USMNT teammates also defended him in the latest episodes of the PULISIC docuseries.
“Let’s make this abundantly clear: the question of Christian Pulisic and his commitment to the national team was completely off base. He’s always been committed, and he still will be committed. That’s not what we’re talking about here, but that’s what got Pulisic and his family upset,” Twellman said on the Dan Le Batard show. “He could have nipped it in the bud, immediately releasing a statement of why he’s not playing in the Gold Cup and that is what US Soccer expected…
“It’s nobody on the outside’s fault that they are reacting, and doing their job at the same time of giving their رأي of the situation that’s going on.”
السابق ثورة نيو إنجلاند star pointed to the 2014 World Cup team as the last American squad that embodied the characteristic grit and determination that defined previous generations.
“But the reality is that the identity is no longer ‘We’re gonna outwork you, we’re going to have a dog in this fight, we’re going to roll up our sleeves and do whatever we can to beat you,’ ” Twellman said. “Now we’re questioning whether or not you have that. And in 2014 World Cup when the United States tied Portugal – and should have won – they barely lost to بلجيكا even though Tim Howard made 15, 16 saves, most saves ever. The question then, which is about 11 years ago, is how can the United States Men compete with the top 10 countries in the world?
“But over the last two years, this generation lost a Copa America, couldn’t advance in the group stage in their backyard. They lost to كندا back-to-back, they’ve lost to Panama in three straight games and not gotten a result all in their backyard, all going into a World Cup. And you have the audacity to complain about criticism?”
His criticism extended beyond results to the players’ responses, as he expressed dismay at their complaints about media scrutiny.
“Imagine if you were from Argentina, or England or البرازيل أو ألمانيا – the amount of pressure that would be on you, that’s where you lose me,” he said. “I’ve got to… talk about are the players committed to going into a World Cup in their backyard in the biggest moment of their lives – and we’re talking about a docuseries where the analysts outside are being called evil. They have completely lost the plot to me and they’ve created this on their own.”
The current USMNT سمات more players at elite European clubs than any previous American team, yet results have not matched this apparent talent upgrade. The discord between players and media has intensified following public criticism from Pulisic and Weah directed at former national team players.
The USMNT will face immediate tests during the September FIFA international window with مباريات ودية against Korea and اليابان,
