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Pulisic Expected Ready for USMNT Australia Match

6/16/2026

Summary

Pulisic Ready

Coach Mauricio Pochettino said Christian Pulisic is “good” after his calf injury ahead of the June 19 match against Australia.
Pulisic left the June 12 4-1 win over Paraguay at halftime after a kick to his left calf and completed a workout on June 15.
Midfielder Tyler Adams and forward Haji Wright said Pulisic appears normal and will be ready.
If Pulisic cannot play, Pochettino could start Tim Weah, Gio Reyna, Alejandro Zendejas, Haji Wright or Brenden Aaronson.

Summary

Pulisic Powers Win

Christian Pulisic (AC Milan) assisted Folarin Balogun in the U.S. 4-1 win over Paraguay.
His left-side runs forced an own-goal that gave the United States a 3-0 lead.
The victory set a record as the United States’ highest-scoring World Cup match.
The team will travel back to Inglewood on June 25 for the group game against Turkey.
Pulisic and coach Mauricio Pochettino avoided media, leaving the squad’s medical update undisclosed.

Summary

Pochettino Grants Rest

Coach Mauricio Pochettino gave the U.S. team Sunday off to aid physical and mental recovery.
The expanded 48-team World Cup spaces group matches about a week apart, similar to a club season.
The U.S. squad trained at Great Park in Irvine, where a gym sits beside the pitches.
Tyler Adams said the extra rest days help players manage season-long fatigue entering the World Cup.

History

Historical Context

When the United States hosted the 1994 FIFA World Cup from June 17 to July 17, it attracted a record 3,587,538 fans and saw Bruce Arena’s side finish third, the nation’s best result since 1930. The tournament’s lucrative $120 million TV deal and squad rotation taught officials the value of health management, a lesson Pochettino applied in 2024 while overseeing Christian Pulisic’s calf injury and rotating Tim Weah and Haji Wright.

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Pulisic Ready

Coach Mauricio Pochettino said Christian Pulisic is “good” after his calf injury ahead of the June 19 match against Australia.
Pulisic left the June 12 4-1 win over Paraguay at halftime after a kick to his left calf and completed a workout on June 15.
Midfielder Tyler Adams and forward Haji Wright said Pulisic appears normal and will be ready.
If Pulisic cannot play, Pochettino could start Tim Weah, Gio Reyna, Alejandro Zendejas, Haji Wright or Brenden Aaronson.

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