Pulisic in race to be fit for USA's must-win World Cup clash with Australia in Seattle

Christian Pulisic is in a race against time to be fit for the United States men’s national team’s World Cup Group D fixture against Australia in Seattle on Friday, after the AC Milan forward spent a second consecutive day in individual training on Tuesday due to a calf injury.

A US team spokesman described Pulisic as “day to day” as his teammates trained fully at the squad’s base in Orange County. The 26-year-old suffered the injury after taking a kick to the back of his left calf during training last week, and was withdrawn at halftime of the USA’s 4-1 opening win over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on 20 June — a precautionary call made by head coach Mauricio Pochettino despite the Americans already leading 3-0.

Pulisic had been in fine form before his exit, recording an assist on Folarin Balogun’s opener and forcing an own goal through his persistent pressing and movement down the left flank. His absence for any part of the Australia match would represent a significant blow to US attacking ambitions.

Speaking after the Paraguay game, Pulisic struck an upbeat tone about his prospects. “I’m hoping I’ll be fine the next few days,” he said. “Just the back of my leg, sort of my calf area. I’m staying positive. I don’t think it’s anything.”

Australia arrive in Seattle having beaten Turkey 2-0 in their own opener, and are expected to provide a considerably sterner test than Paraguay. The result in Seattle could determine who tops Group D, with both sides aware that a strong finish to the group stage carries significant implications for the knockout bracket.

The USA conclude their group-stage programme on 25 June back in Inglewood against Turkey. The Americans have never advanced beyond the round of 16 at a World Cup, though the emphatic victory over Paraguay — their highest-scoring first half in World Cup history — has fuelled optimism that Pochettino’s side could go further than any previous US generation.