Mauricio Pochettino Not Sure If Christian Pulisic Will Play For U.s. Vs. Australia

SEATTLE — Christian Pulisic’s position for nan United States’ 2nd World Cup lucifer Friday successful Seattle is uncertain a week aft he aggravated a near calf injury.

“Tonight, we person a gathering pinch our aesculapian staff. We will measure nan full group,” U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino told reporters Thursday. “He’s evolving and overmuch amended from Friday. We will see.

“If [he’s] not disposable tomorrow, he’ll beryllium backmost for Turkey.”

The U.S. faces Australia pinch a chance to fastener down first successful Group D pinch a triumph coupled pinch a nonaccomplishment aliases tie by Turkey successful its crippled Friday pinch Paraguay. But that task will beryllium overmuch much difficult without Pulisic, who group up nan first 2 goals successful nan Americans’ tournament-opening win complete Paraguay past week.

Pulisic near that crippled astatine halftime aft being kicked successful his near calf. He said he had been deed successful that aforesaid spot successful training earlier nan World Cup began. When Pulisic said pinch reporters aft that game, he was stepping without a limp and said he didn’t judge nan wounded was serious.

“I’ve had akin things before,” he said. “I’m staying positive. I don’t deliberation it’s anything.”

But he trained gingerly, isolated from his teammates, this week arsenic interest astir nan wounded grew.

U.S. guardant Christian Pulisic handles a walk successful beforehand of Paraguay midfielder Andres Cubas (14) during a 4-1 U.S. triumph connected June 12 astatine nan World Cup.

(Kelvin Kuo / Los Angeles Times)

Pulisic is nan closest point to an irreplaceable subordinate nan U.S. has, truthful if he is incapable to go, Pochettino has fewer bully options to switch him. He could plug Gio Reyna into Pulisic’s playmaking spot connected nan near wing. Tim Weah could besides start, but his earthy spot is connected nan correct side, meaning Pochettino whitethorn person to change his formation.

When Pulisic came retired astatine halftime against Paraguay, Pochettino replaced him pinch Sebastian Berhalter. He could do that again aliases he could springiness Cristian Roldan, who is connected his 2nd World Cup team, his first minutes successful nan tournament.