Landon Donovan, Christian Pulisic, and the drama over USMNT stars not playing

The faces of two different generations of the United States men's national soccer team are engaged in a bit of a drama. While commenting on Portugal's celebration in its win over Spain in the UEFA Nations League final for FOX Sports on Sunday, USMNT legend Landon Donovan took an implied dig at Christian Pulisic and other U.S. players for their decision to sit out the upcoming Concacaf Gold Cup.

"This is what it means to represent your country," Donovan said as the broadcast showed Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal teammates celebrating the triumph. "This is what it means. And if you don't want to take this as a professional soccer player, as someone who gets the opportunity to wear that jersey and take it seriously and responsibly, then don't come in. This is what it means.

"[Ronaldo's] 40 years old. He's played a long ass season. He's tired. He's out there grinding. Hurt himself in the process, and I can't help but think about some of our guys on vacation, not wanting to play in the Gold Cup. It's pissing me off."

INGLEWOOD, CA - MARCH 23: Christian Pulisic's absence from the USMNT ahead of the Gold Cup has become a point of discussion. (Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Even though Donovan didn't name Pulisic or any other current USMNT player, Pulisic's father certainly viewed it as a slight. Mark Pulisic fired back at Donovan in an Instagram post on Monday, posting a screenshot of him asking ChatGPT why Donovan took a sabbatical in 2012-13. 

"Landon Donovan took his sabbatical because he was feeling both physically and mentally exhausted after years of intense competition and the pressure that comes with being a top athlete," ChatGPT replied to the elder Pulisic's question. "He'd been playing