Pulisic calf injury leaves USA door open for Australia

Pulisic in doubt, USA talking tough

USA could be without Christian Pulisic for Friday's World Cup clash. The USMNT captain is nursing a calf injury and has trained alone for three straight days. Brenden Aaronson gave the honest take: "We're really hoping Christian is going to be back for the game, of course. I don't really know what is going on in particular, but we know that he is going to give us his all to get back into the team and be there for the game" (4).

Pulisic was spotted with a compression sleeve and a ball for the first time this week on Wednesday, but full participation is still a question mark.

Aaronson, Folarin Balogun, and Antonee Robinson will be the options Mauricio Pochettino looks to if Pulisic cannot go (5). Balogun scored in USA's 4–1 win in their opener.

The Americans are talking, your players are listening

Sebastian Berhalter lit the fuse. Asked about the USA mindset, he said: "I think one [of this team's core beliefs] is that we're American. We don't take shit" (2). The Socceroos camp has noticed. The pre-match noise is filtering through, and it suits a team that just stunned Turkey 2–0 with 22% possession and 30 shots against.

Nestory Irankunda, the youngest Australian to score at a World Cup, and Connor Metcalfe got the goals in that opener. Tony Popovic called the squad "special." Friday is another chance to prove it against a US side that is heavily favored.

The betting world sees a one-sided contest

CBS Sports' expert, riding an 18–8 run on World Cup picks, has the USA to win and the under on goals (3). The odds are not subtle. Australia's shape frustrated Turkey, but replicating that defensive grit with travel fatigue in the legs is the test.

Mo Touré's parents: 'It was life or death'

Mo Touré's path to the Socceroos started with a family escaping conflict. His parents spoke to the Guardian about the journey: "It was life or death" (1). Touré is part of a young core that has drawn comparisons to the 2006 golden generation, though the team has been careful not to embrace that label too tightly.

Paul Okon-Engstler made an emotional World Cup debut against Turkey, and the squad's energy is genuine. Villarreal are reportedly tracking Irankunda.

Fan-reaktioner

Australian fans in the stands are already in full voice, with one group caught chanting "Aussie boys are on a bender, Donald Trump is a sex offender" ahead of the USA match. Meanwhile, US supporters are anxious about Pulisic, clips of him training alone in a compression sleeve have spread on Reddit, with the mood hovering somewhere between hope and resignation. Full thread here