Is Christian Pulisic playing today vs Australia? Injury update on USA World Cup star – USA Today

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SEATTLE — For the U.S. men’s national team, the biggest question ahead of Friday’s game against Australia surrounded the health of Christian Pulisic.
Before the match, USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino revealed that Pulisic would not be playing in the pivotal game as he continued recovering from a calf injury suffered in the opener. Ricardo Pepi will get the start in Pulisic’s place.
“We hope that as soon as possible he can be ready to be selected again and to be part of the team,” Pochettino told Fox Sports. “Now we need to be focused in our team, in the players who are going to play. we have ahead a very important game.”
Pulisic was sensational in the USMNT’s 4-1 win Paraguay on Friday, June 12, but was forced to leave at halftime after tweaking his left calf.
Pulisic was kicked in the left calf during the USMNT’s World Cup opener against Paraguay and exited the game at halftime of the 4-1 victory.
“Bit of a kick in the first half, so I’m really hoping that it’s nothing,” Pulisic told reporters during postgame interviews. “Taking a little bit of precaution today, but I’m hoping I’ll be fine. Just the back of my leg, sort of my calf area, but I’ve had similar things before, and staying positive. I don’t think it’s anything.”
Here’s how the Group D standings look after one match has been played (goal differential in parentheses:
Seth Vertelney: USA 2-1 Australia
The key to this game will be who scores first. If the U.S. can manage that, Australia will have to come out of its shell. Even if Christian Pulisic can’t play, the USMNT attack is playing at a high level right now.
Jon Arnold: USA 2-0 Australia
While Australia showed how dangerous it can be on the counter, the U.S. attack’s chemistry will lead to another early goal that will change the dynamic of the game.
Jesse Yomtov: USA 1 – 1 Australia
Americans came out guns blazing in their opener, but Australia proved against Turkey that it’s a much stronger side than pundits anticipated.
Victoria Hernandez: USA 2 – 1 Australia
Both teams outperformed expectations in their openers, but the U.S. will be playing with more to prove on home soil.
Explore live group standings, stats and the updated bracket with USA TODAY Sports here.
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