Carli Lloyd Shades Christian Pulisic After Team USA World Cup Loss

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Carli Lloyd may have been a midfielder, but she’s become a striker in her retirement.

Following the U.S. men’s national team’s tough 4-1 loss to Belgium during the 2026 World Cup’s round of 16 match on July 6, the soccer player-turned-commentator shared her candid opinion on the team’s performance.

“I feel like they lost the game before they even stepped out onto the pitch,” Lloyd remarked on Fox Sports’ broadcast after the match. “And I’m not sure why, and I don’t know the reasons. But just from the beginning, just chasing, tentative, scared—just not confident on the ball.”

She also took specific aim at the team member dubbed “Captain America,” 27-year-old Christian Pulisic.

“I think big time players, you wanted some of those big-time players to step up in big moments,” she said. “And I gotta be honest, I was a bit disappointed with Christian Pulisic. I think whether he wants to be the star of this team or not, we didn’t see enough from him in this particular game and really the whole World Cup, little glimpses here and there.”

During what would prove to be the American team’s final showdown against Belgium, Pulisic—who landed one assist throughout the five games the team played in tournament—was ultimately sidelined after twisting his ankle in the 59th minute of the game.

But despite the loss in the Round of 16, Lloyd still wanted to give the team their flowers.

John Nacion/FOX Sports via Getty Images & John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images

“On the brighter storyline, it’s been a fantastic World Cup,” the 43-year-old added. “This team has united the country, they have gotten American fans to fall in love with them, and there is a bright future. But this is just a real disappointing loss to go out on.”

As for Pulisic, largely considered the face of the team, Lloyd wasn’t quite ready to let him out of the penalty box. Following the match, Pulisic shared some insight into what went down with his ankle, and Lloyd didn’t love his answer.

“I just twisted my ankle, sprained my ankle,” he told Fox Sports. “I mean, it’s just frustrating to end like that, of course. But now I have time to rest, so, hopefully it’ll be okay.”

Omar Vega/USSF/Getty Images

Lloyd, however, is of the camp that there ain’t no rest for the wicked—not when there are future matches for which to prepare.

“You rest when your playing career is over,” she wrote on X July 7. “Period.”

As for the remaining teams in the World Cup as it heads to the quarterfinals, those countries still hoping to bring home the trophy include Spain, France, Morocco, Belgium, Norway, England, Argentina and Switzerland.

For more insight into some of the stars on those teams, read on.

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