The USMNT suffered another setback, falling 2-1 to Canada in a disappointing CONCACAF Nations League third-place match at SoFi Stadium.
The loss marks the second consecutive defeat for Mauricio Pochettino’s squad, following their recent stumble against Panama.
However, an incident involving star player Christian Pulisic has grabbed significant attention.
Late in the game, with the USMNT trailing 2-1, cameras appeared to capture Mauricio Pochettino attempting to substitute Christian Pulisic.
In a moment that went viral for all wrong reasons, Pulisic visibly waved off his coach’s instructions. Even the substitute board was on.
Despite Pochettino’s apparent substitution attempt, the AC Milan forward stepped up to take it – only to deliver a poor effort that failed to trouble the Canadian goal.
This act has drawn the ire of fans, who have taken to social media to criticize Pulisic’s apparent defiance and the subsequent poor free kick.
Did Pulisic just say "No" when Poch tried to sub him off?
— scuffed (@scuffedpod) March 23, 2025
Wow,
— Kaylyn Kyle (@KaylynKyle) March 23, 2025
Shocking to see Christian Pulisic
Wave off a sub that his manager was calling for because wanted to take a free kick….
Poch should drop Pulisic for waving off that sub
— Florian Wirtz/Aitana Bonmatí Enjoyer (@xab1ball) March 23, 2025
pulisic waving off the sub just to take the worst set piece of all timepic.twitter.com/C0vKkPVLhp
— sophie (@sophwwfc) March 23, 2025
After 2 weak showings, Pulisic waves off a sub & proceeds to take a crap free kick, all while one of the players that was supposed to come on is a vastly superior free kick taker & showed it with the few chances he had.
— lowerwolves15 (@lowerwolves15) March 24, 2025
The incident adds to the scrutiny surrounding Pulisic’s performance in the match.
Despite being the perceived leader of the USMNT, he struggled to make a significant impact and was eventually substituted in the 69th minute.
Pulisic’s lackluster showing comes after Pochettino publicly challenged him to elevate his game following the loss to Panama.
The visible disagreement on the touchline raises questions about team dynamics and Pulisic’s leadership within the USMNT as they look towards the 2026 World Cup, where SoFi Stadium is set to host their opening match.
