(NBC SPORTS) -- The latest injury news surrounding USMNT star Christian Pulisic sounds decent ahead of their second Group D game against Australia in Seattle on Friday.
Pulisic, 27, was superb in the first half of the USA’s 4-1 win against Paraguay in Los Angeles last Friday, as he grabbed an assist and played a big part in them leading 3-0 at half time.
But Pulisic, who has been plagued with injuries throughout his career, didn’t return for the second half and was subbed off at half time due to a calf issue after a kick.
Latest Christian Pulisic injury news, update
The USMNT were back in training in Irvine, California on Monday for the first time since the win against Paraguay.
But Pulisic wasn’t present in the full team training session.
The U.S. Soccer Federation said that Pulisic is set for a “modified training session with gym and individual field work.”
Fox Sports’ Jenny Taft later said that Mauricio Pochettino told her that Pulisic was all good. So that’s a very positive update.
Patience is key for Pulisic and USMNT
It seems like Pochettino and everyone connected with the USMNT are being extremely cautious with Pulisic and given the excellent win against Paraguay, that is exactly the right way to approach this.
That win has set up the USA to have a very good chance of advancing out of Group D, so there is absolutely no need to force Pulisic to rush back. It may even make sense to start him on the bench against Australia on Friday.
Over the next few days the injury situation around Pulisic will become clearer but right now the USMNT is handling this perfectly. There is no need at all to risk it.
As he proved with his first half display on Friday, Pulisic is way too important to their chances of going on a deep run this summer.
