Christian Pulisic did not feature in the United States’ recent qualifier against Australia, a decision that stemmed from a calf injury sustained earlier in the week.
A Coach’s Outlook
Coach Mauricio Pochettino addressed the media after the match, emphasizing that the team’s focus remains on the upcoming fixture and that Pulisic’s recovery is progressing faster than expected.
The lineup that faced Australia included Matt Freese between the posts, Alex Freeman and Tim Ream forming the central defensive pairing, and Antonee Robinson providing width on the right back, while Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams anchored the midfield.
Attacking Options
With Pulisic unavailable, Malik Tillman and Ricardo Pepi were handed key attacking responsibilities, while Folarin Balogun and Gio Reyna added depth on the flanks; Sebastian Berhalter also featured in the midfield rotation.
Pochettino highlighted the importance of unity, noting that the squad’s collective effort would be the deciding factor against a resilient Australian side.
Australia, traditionally a tough opponent, presented a significant challenge, especially given the loss of their own star forward in recent qualifiers.
Pulisic’s only goal for the senior side came in a September 2024 match against New Zealand, a moment that underscored his impact when fit.
The United States Soccer Federation, which oversees the USMNT, continues to monitor Pulisic’s condition and expects him back in training within the next two weeks.