Christian Pulisic’s status remains the biggest question hanging over the United States men’s national team’s preparations for Friday’s World Cup showdown with Australia in Seattle.
On Wednesday morning in Irvine, Team USA’s superstar appeared to be moving in the right direction.
The Post captured video of Pulisic testing his injured left calf inside Team USA’s large white training tent, a makeshift gym adjacent to the practice fields. Wearing a compression sleeve on his left leg and training shoes instead of cleats, the American star worked through a series of jumping exercises, including single-leg hops designed to gauge both strength and stability in the injured calf.
It was the most encouraging sign yet that Pulisic could be available against Australia.
The 27-year-old was instrumental in all three first-half goals during the Americans’ 4-1 victory over Paraguay last Friday before exiting at halftime after absorbing a kick to the same calf that had already been bothering him. Despite insisting afterward he would be ready to play, Pulisic has spent the first three days of training this week working separately from the full squad and remains officially listed as day-to-day.
His teammates, however, aren’t showing much concern.
“Christian will be ready everyone. Let’s relax,” midfielder Tyler Adams said on Monday. “He’ll be fine.”
Tim Weah echoed that confidence, saying Pulisic “looks normal” and “looks fit,” while expressing hope his teammate will be fully healthy by kickoff.
Others struck a more cautious tone.
“We’re really hoping that Christian’s going to be back,” Brendan Aaronson said.
Left back Antonee Robinson perhaps summed up the situation best.
“It’s a long tournament,” Robinson said. “If we don’t have him back for the game, we’re going to make sure we have him back the rest of the way.”
For now, Team USA’s most important player remains on a separate track. But on Wednesday, for the first time all week, that track looked a lot closer to leading back onto the field.
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