IRVINE, Calif. — Christian Pulisic was back in training with the U.S. men’s national team Monday after missing the week leading into Friday’s win over Australia with a left calf injury.
Though there wasn’t an official update issued on Pulisic’s status, or his chances of getting on the field Thursday in a dead-rubber match against Turkey, his return is a positive sign.
With reporters only getting to see 15 minutes of practice, it was unclear whether Pulisic participated in the full session.
Pulisic initially suffered the calf injury in training before the June 12 victory over Paraguay. IMAGN IMAGES via ReutersPulisic himself hasn’t addressed reporters since immediately after the Paraguay game, when he said he’d been kicked in the left calf but expected to be OK.
For a few days after that game, the tone from camp around Pulisic’s injury was largely positive, but things shifted midway through last week.
Ultimately, he was held out of the 2-0 win against Australia and — with the USMNT having won its group later that night — there’s no incentive to rush him back before the round of 32 on July 1.
If Pulisic can play, though, giving him minutes to avoid a 19-day layoff has merit.
“It’s a tough situation when you’re going through a small little knock, could [call it an] injury, during an important tournament when everyone wants to be at their 100 percent,” said midfielder Alex Zendejas, one of Pulisic’s close friends on the team. “I think it’s not so much talk about the injury or talk about the moment he’s going through. Talk to him about other stuff, try to get his mind off it.
Christian Pulisic never returned to full training and ultimately watched Friday’s 2–0 victory in Seattle from the bench. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters“Me and him get along. We have other guys, too, a little group. That helps, having someone else we can talk to, just to be there for him.”
Midfielder Cristian Roldan was held out of training with a muscle strain and is considered day to day.
A spokesman declined to elaborate on which muscle he strained.
Folarin Balogun missed the warmup period of training open to reporters and was spotted in the tent.
A spokesman said he was doing extra recovery and there is no concern about his status.
Balogun said before training that despite being on a yellow card, he’d like to play against Turkey.
“Of course I want to play, but it’s also important to be smart,” Balogun said. “I don’t want to pick up a yellow card and miss the round of 32.”
