A collective sigh of relief swept through the U.S. Men's National Team camp on Monday as positive news emerged regarding star forward Christian Pulisic's calf injury. After an injury scare that forced him out of the second half of USA World Cup opener, one of America's most important soccer players is trending toward being ready for Friday's pivotal World Cup group stage clash against Australia in Seattle.
Pulisic only played in the first half of last Friday's 4-1 victory over Paraguay, surprisingly being substituted at halftime, with Sebastian Berhalter called upon by manager Mauricio Pochettino to replace him. For a team riding on the high of one of its best-ever World Cup performances, the sudden absence of their captain cast a shadow over what should have been a moment of pure celebration.
The A.C Milan forward had been active and effective in those opening 45 minutes, contributing to two of the team's first three goals before leaving the match. After being kicked in the back of his left leg during the first half, Pulisic was substituted at halftime as a precaution. U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino explained the decision, stating the player felt tightness and it was "difficult for him to walk.
After the final whistle, Pulisic spoke candidly with Fox Sports' Tom Rinaldi on the sideline, downplaying the concern while being careful not to promise anything. "I got a bit of a kick to the back of my calf," he said. "But I'm hoping it's nothing serious at all… I'm gonna give everything I can to be back, that's for sure. I'm not going to give you 100% but yeah, I'll be there." He added that he'd had similar knocks before and was staying positive.
Pulisic did not participate fully in Monday's training session at Great Park, instead undergoing a "modified training session" with team performance staff. While his teammates took to the main pitch, the 27-year-old worked individually on an adjacent field, performing lateral hops and single-leg jumps to test his calf. He later moved to the gym for a stationary bike workout, a prudent approach to managing the knock he sustained. FOX's Jenny Taft, reporting from the training ground, noted that Pulisic appeared to be moving well, and that Pochettino came over directly to pass on a message.
When pressed for an update on his star forward's condition by reporters, Pochettino kept it short. Characteristically short, really. "Good," the Argentine manager said, without elaborating.
The more colorful reassurance came from midfielder Tyler Adams, who seemed almost amused by the level of public anxiety surrounding his teammate. "Christian will be ready, everyone. Let's relax," Adams said. "I think that he picked up a knock a few days before the game, and I think he got kicked in the same spot again during the game. And when you go in at halftime, things obviously get tight within the 15, 20 minute break. But he'll be fine."
The timing of this injury update matters enormously. Australia arrives at Lumen Field, officially renamed Seattle Stadium for the tournament by FIFA, having already claimed three points with a 2-0 win over Türkiye on Saturday night. A U.S. victory would go a long way toward securing a spot in the knockout rounds, and it's hard to imagine the Americans playing their best soccer without Pulisic pulling the strings in the attacking third.
With both the U.S. and Australia sitting atop Group D with three points each, Friday's match in Seattle is crucial for determining who will top the group. While Pulisic's participation appears all but assured, the team is wisely managing his workload to ensure their talisman remains at full strength for a deep tournament run. For now, the mood around camp seems measured but optimistic. The captain says he'll be there. The coach says he's good. And Tyler Adams says there is nothing to fear.
