Christian Pulisic says he's ready and willing to play for the U.S. Men's National Team on Thursday against Türkiye, even if his coach isn't ready to commit to it just yet. The USMNT captain has been sidelined since halftime of the team's World Cup opener against Paraguay, when a calf issue that had been nagging him for days finally caught up with him. He missed Friday's 2-0 win over Australia entirely, watching from the sideline as the U.S. clinched a spot in the Round of 32 without him.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Pulisic said he still isn't totally sure how to describe the injury, calling it something like a strong contusion or strain. He explained he took a hard kick to the calf a couple of days before the Paraguay match, started the game anyway, and played through it long enough to help set up the first two goals before the pain became too much to ignore by the second half.
The U.S. men's national team star told reporters on Wednesday that he feels "great" and is eager to play a part in Thursday's Group D finale against Türkiye at SoFi Stadium.
“It was obviously a different set of emotions for sure, not being able to play,’’ he said. “But I enjoyed just being on the sideline, being around the team. I wanted to be there. I obviously just couldn’t be happier and prouder of how the guys handled that whole situation. I had faith in them. I knew they would [win]. It’s a really cool team to be a part of, and I just enjoyed the experience,” he said during the U.S. training session Wednesday at Great Park, per Yahoo Sports.
While Pulisic is available, head coach Mauricio Pochettino faces a decision on how to use his talisman in a match that is essentially a dead rubber. With the U.S. already guaranteed to top Group D and Türkiye eliminated, the priority is ensuring key players are fit for the Round of 32 match. Pochettino has already indicated that players carrying yellow cards, including starters Antonee Robinson, Chris Richards, Tyler Adams, and Folarin Balogun, will likely be rested to avoid suspension.
This caution could extend to Pulisic, who acknowledged he is unlikely to play a full 90 minutes. "Obviously, not a good chance, I'll probably go and play 90 right away, normally, after you come back and miss a game, but we'll see."
The coach confirmed that a final decision on whether Pulisic will start or come off the bench will be made with the medical staff. Regardless of his role, Pulisic's presence alone is a massive boost for a team riding high after its first consecutive World Cup victories since 1930. Without its star player, the U.S. showcased its depth and attacking prowess against Australia, a fact that has only increased the excitement around the squad. Pulisic himself was impressed with the team’s performance against Australia.
"It's not surprising to me," Pulisic said of the team's performance. "I see what this team can do. We have depth. We have really strong players in a lot of positions. I don't need to do everything. It's such a strong team".
Kickoff against Türkiye is set for Thursday, with the Round of 32 looming just days later for a USMNT side chasing a result it has never managed at a World Cup: a quarterfinal spot or better since the 2002 tournament.
