The USMNT was without Christian Pulisic due to a left calf injury in Team USA's 2-0 win over Team Australia. With the U.S. scheduled to take on Turkiye on Thursday, it sounds like Pulisic is raring to get back on the field.
Reports indicate that the 27-year-old forward claimed he is ready to return to action, according to Jeff Carlisle of ESPN. However, Pulisic followed that statement up by admitting he is not ready to play a full 90 minutes.
“United States men's national team attacker Christian Pulisic said he's ready to play in the USMNT's group stage finale on Thursday, but added he's ‘probably not ready' to play 90 minutes,” reported Carlisle.
While 90 minutes may not be an option, Pulisic sounded confident he would at least get some playing time on Thursday against Turkiye. However, that is something he is in discussion with head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
“I'm feeling good,” said Pulisic. “I joined the team the last couple days, and yeah, I'm hoping to play a part in [Thursday] for sure… Obviously, not a good chance I'll probably go and play 90 right away, normally after you come back and miss a game, but we'll see.”
Pulisic sustained the calf injury in training before the USA's initial World Cup game against Paraguay, in which he played 45 minutes in that contest. After missing the matchup against Australia, it is said that he has been participating in training with his teammates.
Christian Pulisic played 45 minutes in the USMNT's match against Paraguay. In that time, he recorded an assist that led to striker Folarin Balogun scoring one of the USA's four goals in that contest.
