SAN JOSE, Calif. — The state of Christian Pulisic’s left calf has all but disappeared as a story headed into the U.S. national team’s Round of 32 clash against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Injury aside, though, it’s been more than three months since Pulisic played a full 90 minutes. He may be asked to play 120 on Wednesday, should the game reach extra time — something he hasn’t done since a March 21, 2024, Nations League match against Jamaica.
“I feel ready,” Pulisic said when asked whether he could make it that far.
Nevertheless, how Mauricio Pochettino chooses to manage his best player will be a key feature of this game.
No one needs reminding that Pulisic, who played 32 minutes against Turkey in the group-stage finale, is a singular talent for the USMNT.
Even the tone of that glorified exhibition game changed almost immediately after Pulisic entered. He can attract attention and rip apart defenses. There’s a buzz in the stadium when he’s on the ball. But even the most fit players can keel over after extra time.
Given that Pochettino would, presumably, want Pulisic taking a penalty should the game make it that far, it’s all the more important for him to make it through.
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“I felt great in the last game against Turkey,” Pulisic said. “Feeling good this week. Definitely ready to go tomorrow.”
Bosnia coach Sergej Barbarez was asked about Abigail Velez, the ABC7 Los Angeles reporter who apologized to the country after saying she could not find the Balkan nation on a map.
“This is the consequence of today’s culture,” Barbarez said. “Social media and everything. Everything comes out. OK, I will put this aside. I’m not concerned with things like this, I have to admit. Things like that happen on a daily basis. We are a small country, things like that sometimes happen.”
Pulisic was asked his opinion on how Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a senior adviser at Milan, is doing as an analyst on Fox.
“I think he’s hilarious,” Pulisic said. “I feel like that’s a pretty common opinion. Obviously, I’ve gotten to work with him a lot, too, so he’s a really good guy. Listening to him and knowing his personality, I think he does extremely well.”
Auston Trusty (ankle) returned to full participation in training Tuesday and will be available Wednesday, Pochettino said.
Cristian Roldan (quad strain) stayed in modified training, and while Mark McKenzie (irritated foot) is improving, he remained out of training. Pochettino didn’t explicitly rule either of them out but said it would “be difficult” for them to be available.
