In a column in the Daily Mail, ex-USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard was highly critical of Christian Pulisic’s celebration against Jamaica.
Tim Howard has hit out at former international team-mate Christian Pulisic, branding the USMNT star’s actions “stupid” after he celebrated a goal by mimicking a dance made popular by America’s president-elect, Donald Trump.
Pulisic does ‘Trump dance’ in Jamaica victory
After scoring in the USMNT’s Nations League win over Jamaica on Monday, Pulisic could be seen swaying and pumping his fists, in imitation of the viral dance moves performed by Trump on the US election campaign trail.
Pulisic is not the only high-profile US athlete to do the ‘Trump dance’ in recent times. Others, such as NFL player Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers, and the UFC fighter Jon ‘Bones’ Jones, have also copied Trump’s moves.
What did Tim Howard say about ‘Trump dance’?
Writing in a column for the Daily Mail today, Howard said: “Here’s my personal view: doing a dance that mimics Donald Trump is stupid. Why? Because, whether it’s the president of the United States or my neighbor down the street, I would never back someone who I believe is racist. I wouldn’t glorify that. I wouldn’t do it for anything.”
And Howard, who won 121 USMNT caps between 2002 and 2017, gave short shrift to Pulisic’s claims that his celebration against Jamaica “was not a political dance” and was “just for fun”. “I don’t buy that,” the retired goalkeeper said. “Any show of support for Donald Trump is political.”
“US Soccer must bear some responsibility”
By celebrating in a way that spectators may interpret as an endorsement of a politician with a clear anti-diversity agenda, Howard added, Pulisic only serves to undermine key inclusivity and equality initiatives promoted by his colleagues in the US’s women’s soccer team.
“Pulisic is taking a lot of heat from soccer fans,” the 45-year-old said. “It’s hardly surprising, given the USWNT has led the fight for equal pay, and inclusion, and LGBTQ+ rights. Players such as Megan Rapinoe have gone to war with Trump. Now the USMNT’s biggest star is doing his dance.
“US Soccer must bear some of the responsibility for this. Yes, Pulisic is no kid. He is 26 and he has been this country’s prized asset for years. But, given the political and social landscape over the last four years, organizations need to educate players. To remind them that their words and actions matter. To teach them that everything they do and everything they say has to be thought through.”