Former United States men's national team goalkeeper Tim Howard has criticized Christian Pulisic's decision to imitate Donald Trump to celebrate his goal against Jamaica on Monday.
"Here's my personal view: doing a dance that mimics Donald Trump is stupid," Howard wrote in his column for The Daily Mail. "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."
The "Trump dance" became a viral trend after the president-elect performed it on the campaign trail. He was announced as the next U.S. president Nov. 6. The San Francisco 49ers' Nick Bosa was fined by the NFL for wearing a "Make America Great Again" cap while crashing an on-field interview in October and then did the "Trump dance" after producing a sack Nov. 10. UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones also performed the dance in front of Trump when he knocked out Stipe Miocic last Saturday night.
Pulisic insisted that his celebration wasn't political after the USMNT's 4-2 victory and that it was "just a dance that everyone's doing."
"If someone feels strongly the other way, no problem," Howard said. "But if you're going to make a political statement, then be bold and brash enough to stand behind it. Don't go quiet and don't plead innocence like Christian Pulisic."
The AC Milan winger, who was born and raised in Pennsylvania, has been criticized by soccer fans in the United States and beyond for his apparent Trump tribute - and Howard believes this should be expected. Howard and Pulisic played together 10 times for the USMNT.
"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," Howard said.
He continued: "U.S. 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."