Pulisic in doubt as Socceroos face USA for Group D

Pulisic uncertain for Saturday

Christian Pulisic is not a sure thing for the USA's World Cup clash with Australia on Saturday. USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino was noncommittal on Friday.

"I think as you know he was training individually all week," Pochettino said. "We will assess the whole group, and tomorrow we will communicate if we agree on something tonight. He is evolving, he is much better from Friday, we'll see" (5).

Pulisic has been carrying an injury and the US medical staff will evaluate him before the match (4). His absence would shift the dynamics of a game that already feels like a Group D decider.

USA v Australia is for the group

Your Socceroos face the USA in Seattle on Saturday, and the winner likely tops Group D. Both teams won their openers. Australia stunned Turkey 2–0 with goals from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe, while the US took care of business in theirs (1).

The two sides met last October in a friendly. Jordan Bos put Australia ahead before Haji Wright equalised for the Americans (3). That match was heated. This one counts.

Bos came through the Turkey win unscathed

Jordan Bos played 84 minutes against Turkey in the 2–0 friendly win on Sunday, a sign he is sharp and ready for Seattle (6). Tony Popovic has a young squad that is not short on confidence after holding Turkey to zero goals despite 30 shots and 78% possession.

Australia are one win from the knockout stage. The last time the Socceroos reached the round of 16 was 2006.

Fan reactions

Aussie defender Kai Trewin set the tone on Reddit, posting that he has "never wanted to win a match more than tomorrow vs. USA." The thread lit up with fans feeding off the energy, the US rivalry, the stakes, the chance to send a message in Seattle. Read the thread