By Emmanuel Bobby
United States star Christian Pulisic says he is encouraged by his recovery from a calf injury and hopes to contribute in the team’s final World Cup group-stage match against Turkey on Thursday, though a final decision on his availability has yet to be made.
The 27-year-old forward has not appeared since being substituted at halftime during the Americans’ victory over Paraguay after experiencing discomfort in his left calf. He was unavailable for the team’s 2-0 win over Australia, despite indicating beforehand that he was close to being fit enough to play.
Speaking with reporters at the U.S. training camp on Wednesday, Pulisic expressed confidence that his condition has improved significantly over the past several days.
“I’m feeling good,” he said. “I’ve been able to rejoin the team in training recently, and that’s been a positive step. Hopefully, I’ll be able to play some role in tomorrow’s match.”
Injury Traced Back to Training Incident
Pulisic explained that the issue originated from a heavy challenge he received during training in the days leading up to the Paraguay match. While he initially believed he could play through the discomfort, the injury became more noticeable as the game progressed.
According to the U.S. captain, adrenaline helped mask the pain early in the contest, but the problem gradually worsened during the first half.
“I’m not even completely sure how to classify it,” Pulisic said. “A few days before the match, I took a pretty hard kick to the calf. At first, I felt fine, but as the game went on, I started noticing it more and more.”
He described the injury as a combination of bruising and muscle strain.
“It was a pretty strong contusion, strain, whatever you want to call it,” he said. “The important thing is that it’s been improving every day and feels much better now.”
Difficult to Watch From the Sidelines
Pulisic admitted that missing the Australia match was frustrating, especially during a tournament where every game carries significance.
The AC Milan attacker said his primary concern was avoiding a setback that could jeopardize his availability later in the competition.
“Honestly, it was tough,” he said. “After the Paraguay game, I knew something wasn’t right. I never thought it was a major injury, but I also didn’t want to rush back and make it worse.”
Being forced to watch from the bench tested his patience, but he praised his teammates for delivering another strong performance in his absence.
United States Already Through to Knockout Stage
The U.S. enters Thursday’s matchup against Turkey having already secured qualification for the knockout rounds after victories in its opening two group matches.
Because advancement has already been clinched, the match carries less pressure than it otherwise would, potentially allowing the coaching staff to be cautious with Pulisic’s return.
Still, the winger emphasized that maintaining momentum remains important heading into the elimination rounds.
“When you win games, you carry that confidence with you,” Pulisic said. “There’s a positive feeling around the group right now, and that winning mentality becomes part of who you are during a tournament.”
He credited his teammates for keeping the team on track while he recovered.
“They’ve made things a lot easier for me,” he said. “Getting another great result against Australia was huge for the group.”
Focus Turns Toward Knockout Rounds
Whether Pulisic starts, comes off the bench, or is rested entirely, the United States is already looking ahead to the next phase of the tournament.
As the team’s most experienced attacking player and one of its most influential leaders, Pulisic’s fitness will be closely monitored over the coming days. The coaching staff is expected to prioritize his long-term health as the competition intensifies.
For now, the outlook appears encouraging. Pulisic has returned to training, remains optimistic about his recovery, and believes he is moving closer to full fitness at an important stage of the World Cup.
A successful return against Turkey would provide another boost for a U.S. squad that has already secured its place in the knockout rounds and is aiming to make a deep run in the tournament.
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