USMNT star Christian Pulisic insists he was subbed off against Paraguay as a precaution, and even if coach Mauricio Pochettino hopes ‘it’s not a big issue’, he also admits the Milan star ‘could not walk when the first half finished.’
Pulisic’s USMNT beat Paraguay 4-1 in their 2026 World Cup opener on Friday, but the Milan star had to be subbed off at half-time after picking up a knock.
Pulisic injured during USMNT 4-1 Paraguay
“I just got a bit of a kick in the first half; I’m hoping that it’s nothing, taking precaution,” Pulisic said at full time, via The Athletic.
“I’m staying positive; I don’t think it’s anything.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 12: Christian Pulisic #10 and Weston McKennie #8 of the United States celebrate their side’s first goal, an own goal by Damian Bobadilla #16 of Paraguay (not pictured), during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
USMNT coach Pochettino added: “He [Pulisic] received a kick before today (too) in a training session; we hope it’s not a big issue. When he finished the first half, he could not walk. We’re hopeful the next game he’ll be available.”
The USMNT were 3-0 up at half-time when Pulisic was subbed off.
The Milan star had a tough second half of the season at Milan, scoring no goals at the club level in 2026.
CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 01: Christian Pulisic of AC Milan reacts during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and AC Milan at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 01, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
Pulisic will have time to rest and recover as the USMNT will play their next World Cup game in one week, on Friday, June 19 at 21:00 CET, against Australia.
One of the three host countries of the 2026 World Cup, USA are in Group D alongside Paraguay, Australia and Vincenzo Montella’s Turkey.
