Christian Pulisic ruled out for USMNT’s World Cup match against Australia

SEATTLE — Christian Pulisic was held out of the U.S. World Cup match against Australia on Friday because of a calf injury – an expected decision after he left last week’s opener at halftime and did not participate in full training this week.

“Christian is not available,” Mauricio Pochettino told Fox Sports before the game. “I think the feelings are good, and let’s hope that as soon as possible he can be ready to be selected again and be part of the team.”

An influential player in the 4-1 victory over Paraguay in Inglewood, California, Pulisic was removed after aggravating an ailment suffered in training a few days earlier.

U.S. officials were cautiously optimistic Pulisic would be able to return to face Australia in a match pitting Group D’s leaders. But they also did not want to risk a more significant injury that could threaten to end his World Cup.

On Thursday, Pochettino said, “Christian is strong and with a great mentality, and is [making] a fantastic effort to try to be ready as soon as possible.”

While the team trained early in the week at base camp in Irvine, California, Pulisic worked with trainers on the side and engaged in some ball work. In the segment of Thursday’s session at the University of Washington that was open to reporters, Pulisic did not participate.

In Pulisic’s absence, Pochettino started striker Ricardo Pepi against the Aussies at Lumen Field. That selection was a bit of a surprise, given his preference to play with Folarin Balogun as the lone center forward.

Speculation had pointed to a winger, such as Tim Weah or Alex Zendejas, or a midfielder, such as Sebastian Berhalter or Gio Reyna. In the opener, Berhalter replaced Pulisic and Malik Tillman slid into a more advanced role.

In his World Cup debut, Pepi replaced Balogun, a two-goal scorer, in the 72nd minute.