USMNT star Christian Pulisic’s injury status is officially a real concern for USA vs. Australia in the World Cup, set to kickoff at 3 p.m. ET from Lumen Field in Seattle.
After the USMNT initially had plenty of confidence around Pulisic’s calf injury, the latest updates have been more cautious as we near Friday’s game vs. Australia.
Pulisic has not trained fully with the team this week, instead working individually to the side while the USMNT medical staff continues to evaluate his left calf, which he aggravated vs. Paraguay.
Below, we’ll give you the latest Christian Pulisic injury update, whether Pulisic is playing vs. Australia, and who could start in his place — including Gio Reyna and Sebastian Berhalter — if the USMNT has to adjust without its star attacker.
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Christian Pulisic Injury Update for World Cup: Will Pulisic Play vs. Australia?
Pulisic is not officially ruled out for USA vs. Australia, but the USMNT star midfielder — often called Captain America — looks like a legitimate game-time decision after missing full team training throughout the week.
USA manager Mauricio Pochettino did not rule Pulisic out Thursday, but he also stopped well short of saying he will play. Pochettino said the staff would meet with the medical team before making a final call, adding that Pulisic is “much better,” but ending with: “We’ll see.”
Pochettino also discussed the plan if Pulisic does sit out, saying he’s hopeful that he’ll be ready for the final group stage game — vs. Türkiye on Thursday, June 25.
That’s the biggest change from earlier in the week. Right after the Paraguay match, the USMNT sounded pretty calm about Pulisic’s status, with multiple players saying that he would be ready.
But the closer we get to Friday, the more cautious the updates have become around Pulisic’s status for Friday afternoon in Seattle. Without a Friday morning miracle, Pulisic certainly looks to be more on the "doubtful" side of questionable than he is probable to play — speaking in NFL terms.
Pulisic still has not practiced fully as we arrive to Matchday 2, and he has been seen doing gym work, ball work with trainers, and wearing a wrap or sleeve around his left calf.
Weston McKennie gave a more measured update Thursday, per The Guardian, saying Pulisic “really wants to be” on the field and is doing everything he can to be ready.
That does not mean Pulisic is out vs. Australia. But it does make his status more uncertain than it sounded early in the week. Even if he is active vs. Australia, it’s fair to wonder whether he starts, plays limited minutes, or comes off the bench.
For now, Pulisic looks truly questionable for USA vs. Australia. If he plays, managed minutes feel more likely than a full 90, especially as the USA already have three points and are considerable favorites to win vs. Australia on PrizePicks Team Pick, with a 72% implied chance (two way).
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What Happened to Christian Pulisic at World Cup? Injury News
Pulisic left the USMNT’s 4-1 win vs. Paraguay at halftime after aggravating a calf issue.
The injury is an aggravation to his left calf. Pochettino said after the match that Pulisic had taken a knock before the game, then got kicked in the same area during the first half.
At the time, the move sounded more precautionary than serious. The U.S. led 3-0 at halftime, and Pulisic had already made a major impact on the match.
But calf injuries can be tricky for players like Pulisic, whose game is built on burst, change of direction, pressing, and carrying the ball into dangerous areas. They can also lead to more severe injuries if not properly healed.
Even if Pulisic is available Friday, the USMNT may have to decide whether a limited version of him is worth the risk — or whether it makes more sense to manage his minutes with more World Cup games ahead.
Who Will Be In USMNT Starting Lineup is Pulisic is Out? Potential Replacements
If Pulisic does not start vs. Australia, Gio Reyna could be one of the USMNT’s top replacement options, as he was vs. Paraguay in the second half.
It may not be a simple one-for-one swap, though. Pochettino could also use one of a few options:
- Gio Reyna — Best creative upside if the U.S. wants to replace Pulisic’s final-third passing and chance creation.
- Brenden Aaronson — Best pressing/energy option. If Pochettino wants more defensive work rate, ball pressure, and off-ball running.
- Sebastian Berhalter — Best control option. He was the actual halftime replacement vs. Paraguay, so he could play a similar role here, though USA was already up 3-0 in that game.
- Malik Tillman shift — Tillman could take on more attacking responsibility, with another midfielder added behind him. This keeps one of the U.S.’s most active and exciting final-third players closer to goal.
There are other possibilities, but Reyna is the most interesting attacking option if the USA wants to keep creativity in the lineup in a similar fashion to what Pulisic brings to the pitch.
Reyna came off the bench late vs. Paraguay and still made a notable impact, scoring in the 98th minute to seal the 4-1 win.
Despite playing limited minutes, Reyna completed all nine of his passes and made 13 offers to receive, showing how quickly he got involved in possession and looked to connect the attack.
Australia played 56% of the game vs. Türkiye in low-block defense, per FIFA. If the Socceroos do the same here and forces USA to break down a compact shape, Reyna’s passing and final-third feel could be valuable from the start.
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Gio Reyna World Cup Projections vs. Australia on PrizePicks
If Pulisic is ruled out or starts on the bench, Reyna could become one of the more important USMNT players to watch for PrizePicks World Cup picks.
On PrizePicks, simply choose More or Less on Player stat projections, submit your Lineup, and earn money if you’re right. Demon picks pay more, Goblin picks pay less but are easier to hit.
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Reyna projections are live for USA vs. Australia on PrizePicks, including:
- 2.5 Shots (Demon)
- 2.5 Tackles (Demon)
- 0.5 Goals (Demon)
- 0.5 Assists (Demon)
- 0.5 Goal + Assist (Demon)
- 0.5 Fouls (Goblin)
- 0.5 Fouls Drawn (Goblin)
If Reyna is in the XI, his passing and chance creation will be crucial, especially against an Australia team that may force the USMNT to work through tight spaces in the final third.
Reyna’s 0.5 assists and 0.5 goal + assist projections may be worth watching if Pulisic sits, since Reyna could take on more creative responsibility. He is not the same type of direct runner as Pulisic, but he can connect the attack, find runners, and create through combinations around the box.
His 2.5 shots projection is a tougher read. Reyna can get into shooting spots, but his role is usually more creator than volume shooter — that explains why it’s a higher-paying Demon projection. Still, if the USA is aggressive early, Reyna could be on the ball plenty.
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Christian Pulisic’s injury status remains the biggest question for USA vs. Australia after a week of limited training and no full practices, making him a true game-time decision despite early optimism from the USMNT.
Whether Pulisic starts, or it's Gio Reyna stepping into a larger role, be sure to check the latest USMNT lineup news on Playbook before making your World Cup picks.
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