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Christian Pulisic was absent from the main U.S. men's national team training session on Monday, instead working separately with the training staff. Despite this, "Captain America" is still anticipated to feature in Friday's Group D second fixture against Australia in Seattle.
The precautionary measure—described by a U.S. soccer spokesperson as a "modified training session"—followed Pulisic's halftime exit from the USMNT's 4–1 victory over Paraguay after receiving a blow to his left calf, which aggravated a pre-existing leg issue.
Monday marked the USMNT's first complete training session since Friday's victory, with Saturday designated as a recovery day and Sunday as a rest day before preparations began at the team's base camp in Irvine, Calif. ahead of the clash with the Socceroos.
"Christian will be ready, everyone. Let's relax," key midfielder Tyler Adams said Monday. "I think he picked up a knock a few days before the match and got kicked in the same spot again during the game."
Pulisic had told FOX Sports directly after the match: "I just took a bit of a kick in the first half, so I'm really hoping it's nothing...Taking a little bit of precaution today, but I'm hoping I'll be fine in the next few days."
Pulisic's Concerning Injury Record
While Pulisic's teammates brushed aside concerns over his condition and the prospect of him sitting out the Australia match, the knock sustained against Paraguay has raised some alarm, given the attacking midfielder's troublesome injury record, which kept him sidelined for 56 days in 2025-26 with AC Milan.
The 27-year-old most recently missed eight days of action due to a thigh and gluteal muscle strain, while Bursitis in his hip had previously kept him out for 17 days. Additional setbacks throughout the season included various muscular complaints and a hamstring injury.
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Should he be unavailable, Sebastian Berhalter could earn extended minutes in the role, having come on to replace Pulisic at the break. Alternatively, Antonee Robinson could be pushed into a more advanced position on the left flank, or either Brenden Aaronson or Max Arfsten could be brought into the lineup.
Following the USMNT's match on Friday, the squad will head back to Irvine for another week of preparation before facing Türkiye in the Group D finale on June 25.