SEATTLE — Captain America is on ice.
Christian Pulisic was out for the U.S. men’s national team Friday against Australia after spending the week battling a left calf injury, leaving the Americans without their best player on a day they could clinch the top spot in their group.
“Christian is not available and the evolution is really well,” manager Mauricio Pochettino told Fox about 90 minutes before the 2-0 win over the Socceroos. “Today was training in the morning in the training camp. I think the feelings are good.
Christian Pulisic of USA battles for the ball with Juan Jose Caceres and Diego Gomez of Paraguay. Getty Images“I hope as soon as possible he can be ready to be selected again and be part of the team. Now we need to be focused and be part of the team, the players that are going to play. We have a very important game. Australia’s going to be really tough. But of course a little bit sad because he wanted to stay, he wanted to participate today. It’s still so early.”
Without Pulisic, the Americans went with a two-striker setup, Ricardo Pepi starting alongside Folarin Balogun up top.
That combination was a first under Pochettino.
Players said they were told Pulisic couldn’t go, and of the lineup decision, Friday morning.
Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States arrives at the stadium before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Australia. FIFA via Getty Images“To play with Pepi today wasn’t a shock,” Balogun said. “It wasn’t like a plan B because CP was out. It didn’t feel like that to me. It just felt like another solution to the game. Also Australia plays with a back five so two strikers to occupy centerbacks is also a good idea. So I think that’s credit to the boss. You can see today, it worked.”
Pochettino said his plan was to have two triangles, with the goal of pinning Australia’s three centerbacks: Jedi Robinson, Malik Tillman and Pepi on the left; Weston McKennie, Sergiño Dest and Balogun on the right.
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“That approach worked really well,” Pochettino said, “and we are happy.”
With another week to work with and the U.S. having already clinched passage through to the knockout rounds, the pressure is — at least a little bit — off Pulisic’s injury situation.
If Paraguay earns a result against Turkey later Friday evening, clinching the top spot in Group D for the USMNT, there would be little need for Pulisic to play against the Turks next week anyway.
Still, the situation will remain closely watched.
Though Tyler Adams successfully avoided a yellow card, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson and Balogun were all booked in the second half.
Single yellow cards don’t carry over after the group stage, but a second one — which triggers a suspension — would, making it crucial to avoid one next week.
