SEATTLE – U.S. men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino said he will meet with the medical staff on Thursday before deciding whether Christian Pulisic is fit to play against Australia in Friday’s World Cup group-stage match. Pulisic’s calf issue continues to create uncertainty for the tournament co-hosts as they prepare for a crucial Group D fixture.
Pulisic started the USMNT’s 4-1 victory over Paraguay last week and delivered a strong first-half performance before coming off at the break with a calf problem. Pochettino said the forward took a knock to his left calf and was later kicked in the same area, prompting the coach to remove him as a precaution. Pulisic has trained individually throughout the week, working in the gym and with a ball alongside members of the technical staff rather than with the full squad. He was seen wearing a sleeve over his left calf on both Wednesday and Thursday.
“Tonight, the day before the game, we will have a meeting with our medical staff and assess the entire group,” Pochettino said Thursday. “Tomorrow, we will communicate the decisions we cannot make tonight. He’s involved, he’s much better than he was on Friday. We’ll see.”
Several members of the USMNT have stressed over the past week that Pulisic’s injury is not expected to be long-term, and Pochettino echoed that message in his prematch comments.
“At the moment, if he is not available tomorrow, he will be available for the next game, but he is making a huge effort to be ready,” Pochettino said. “For every player who loves representing his country, this is an amazing opportunity to help the team, perform and win games. When something like this happens, it is painful, but Christian is strong, has a great mentality and is doing everything possible to be ready as soon as he can.”
The other 25 players in the World Cup squad are expected to be available for selection.
“The positive thing is that after three or four weeks working together, we only have one doubt for tomorrow,” Pochettino said.
The coach did not indicate who might replace Pulisic if the forward is unavailable to start against Australia, but he acknowledged that he is considering his options.
“At the moment, we are evaluating all the possibilities just in case, and then we will make a decision once we have confirmation one way or the other tonight,” Pochettino said.
Pulisic’s teammates have spent the week hoping he will be available for Friday’s match, a key Group D game that could help determine who finishes top of the table. They have also noted the effort Pulisic has put into trying to be ready.
“As far as his recovery, I don’t really know, to be fair,” midfielder Weston McKennie said earlier Thursday. “I’m more just the energy guy, trying to give good spirits and hopefully he can be involved tomorrow. I know he really wants to play, he’s doing everything he can and the staff is doing everything they can. That’s probably a better question for Pochettino than for me. I’m in my own la-la land.”
Despite the possibility of missing an important match, Pulisic appears to be in good spirits as the U.S. aims to make a major statement this summer.
“Mentally, he’s great,” McKennie said. “He’s playing in a World Cup, he’s here on home soil and his family is here. We’re not staying at a bad hotel, we wake up and see the beach, so it’s hard for someone’s mental state to be affected in these conditions. U.S. Soccer and all the guys are around, we’re like a big family, so we’re always there to lift someone up if they’re down and push them even further. I think he’s doing well mentally.”
