USMNT's Pulisic trains separately with calf injury
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- Christian Pulisic trained off to the side at Monday's USMNT session in Irvine, California, doing individual field work before riding a stationary bike in the gym as he recovers from a calf injury first sustained in training last week.
- Pulisic was forced off at halftime of Friday's 4-1 win over Paraguay after playing a role in both of the first two U.S. goals in the opening 45 minutes.
- U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino described Pulisic's status simply as "Good" when asked Monday, declining to elaborate on the timeline for his return.
- Pulisic downplayed the injury's severity after the Paraguay match, telling Fox Sports: "I just got a bit of a kick first half, so I'm really hoping that it's nothing… I've had similar things before, and I'm staying positive."
- Tyler Adams told reporters "Christian will be ready, everyone. Let's relax," expressing confidence his teammate would be available for Friday's friendly against Australia in Seattle.
- Adams theorized Pulisic had picked up a knock days before the Paraguay game and was kicked in the same spot during the match, helping explain the halftime exit.
Why it matters: Pulisic had a hand in both of the U.S.'s first two goals against Paraguay before being forced off, so his availability directly affects the USMNT's attacking threat against Australia on Friday. The gap between Pochettino's terse one-word answer and the players' confident public reassurances leaves his official status genuinely uncertain heading into the match.
