Pulisic, injured: Leaves the USA vs. Australia match. Details.

The United States national team coach, Mauricio Pochettino, reported that AC Milan attacker Christian Pulisic suffered a hamstring injury that forced him to be substituted in the 28th minute during the 2-1 victory over Australia. Pulisic, who had already received several hard fouls, was injured in a promising counterattack play in the 26th minute. Pochettino decided to take him out of the match at that moment.

[Pulisic] feels something in his hamstring. Tomorrow he will fly to Italy. Tonight we will re-evaluate. We can’t say anything more.

Mauricio Pochettino

Pochettino suggested that the change in climate between Austin and Denver during this international window could have contributed to the problem in Pulisic’s hamstring.

I think it’s something that represents a significant risk. I don’t want to say it’s because of Christian or if it’s because of something, but I think it was very hard for the player.

Mauricio Pochettino

Despite Pulisic’s absence, the United States achieved victory, with Pochettino praising the contributions of Haji Wright and Cristian Roldan. Wright scored goals in both halves, both assisted by Roldan, including the winning goal, which came after a quick free kick that left Wright in a one-on-one situation with Australian defender Cameron Burgess. Wright evaded Burgess and then placed his shot, scoring against Australian goalkeeper Matthew Ryan. Wright took his chance after Pochettino included him in the starting eleven instead of Folarin Balogun.

I think it’s important to say: ‘I am here and I want to play. I want to be part of the team’.

Mauricio Pochettino

Pochettino added: “I think that, without a doubt, a player who can perform like today, Haji, can be close to being called up [for the World Cup].” Wright has been in excellent form for both his club and his country, leading the English Championship with eight goals for Coventry City. He attributes his good start to health.

In the last seasons of my career I have been dealing with small injuries and it has been difficult to play without pain, and this is the first season in a few years in which I play completely without pain. So it’s good to be able to… show what I can do.

Haji Wright

Pochettino praised Roldan even more, who two months ago seemed unlikely to be part of the team for the World Cup. Now he is in the fight for a place on the list.

It’s what we need. We need a player with confidence, with some belief, with a bit of romanticism, with a bit of competitiveness. And perhaps Cristian Roldan is the example of, if you want to build your perfect player, he has a bit of everything. He still doesn’t play in a position that perhaps isn’t a forward who should score goals or isn’t the central defender, but he is a great figure who balances on and off the field, which is what we are looking for.

Mauricio Pochettino

Australian defender Jason Geria, cautioned for a foul against Pulisic, acknowledged the physical intensity of the friendly, but denied having specifically targeted the American star.

I heard he’s injured, so I hope he’s okay. We weren’t specifically physical with him. I think, in general, as a team, as a country, we’re a physical team and we’re ready to fight no matter the opponent. I didn’t specifically go out to hit [Pulisic] or anything. I think across the field there were pretty physical battles everywhere.

Jason Geria

The victory marked the first time in the Pochettino era that the United States prevailed after conceding the first goal, which in this case occurred when Jordan Bos broke through the American defense to score in the 19th minute. The comeback came after another last Saturday, when the United States tied 1-1 against Ecuador.

It’s not a coincidence. The good and the not so good, and it’s not a coincidence to have this ability, to believe, to say: ‘We need to trust ourselves that it’s in our mind, in our brain, in our heart, in our blood’. I think this kind of thing is sometimes difficult to explain how that magic happens, but this is about the work of every day. Every time we work together is to sow the seed and start to be very consistent in our decision, in the way we communicate and in how the message reaches the team, the staff, everyone.

Mauricio Pochettino