Pulisic's Precautionary World Cup Exit
Pulisic Subbed in Precaution During USMNT's Historic 4-1 World Cup Win Against Paraguay
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Mauricio Pochettino explained the decision immediately after the match, saying: “We didn't want to take any risks,” after Pulisic was kicked in the calf and began to feel tightness.
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CBS reported that Fox sideline reporter Jenny Taft saw Pulisic communicate from the friends-and-family section—saying, “I'm good,” when he came out for the second half—underscoring the calm, non-alarming message despite uncertainty.
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The opener’s historic context included that the U.S. had “never” scored four goals in a World Cup match, and Pulisic also contributed an assist for Folarin Balogun’s goal in the first half.
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One outlet tied the halftime substitution to a recurring fitness-management pattern, noting Pulisic was also removed as a precaution in January 2025 during a match against Como.
Christian Pulisic played 45 minutes and set up a goal before being pulled at halftime with calf tightness in the United States' 4-1 World Cup opening win over Paraguay on June 12, 2026. The victory was historic — the first time the U.S. has ever scored four goals in a World Cup match — but Pulisic's fitness now dominates the story heading into the team's next match against Australia in Seattle.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino said the substitution was precautionary. "We didn't want to take any risks," MassLive reported him saying after the match. "He felt a little bit of tightness after a kick." Pulisic, spotted in the friends-and-family section of the stadium during the second half, kept it brief when Fox Sports sideline reporter Jenny Taft caught up with him: "I'm good."
Pulisic Drives Three-Goal Blitz Then Exits
The U.S. led 3-0 at halftime in the most dominant opening half in program World Cup history. Pulisic was central to that run. He recorded an assist in the 22nd minute, setting up Folarin Balogun for the first goal. Yahoo Sports reported he set up two of the team's three first-half goals before being taken off at the break.
In the 41st minute, a Paraguayan defender caught Pulisic with a direct kick to the back of his lower leg. He finished the half but reported tightness to the medical staff at the break, according to Daily Mail. Haji Wright replaced him for the second half. Pulisic did not return to the bench — he watched from the stands instead.
Second Half Slips Without Pulisic on the Pitch
Without Pulisic, the U.S. lost its attacking rhythm. Paraguay pulled one back in the 73rd minute to make it 3-1. The Americans did not respond until stoppage time, when Gio Reyna finished to seal the 4-1 final. The U.S. managed just one goal in 45 minutes without their captain compared to three in his 45 minutes on the pitch.
Fox Sports analyst Alexi Lalas argued the substitution exposed a "lack of creative fluidity" in the U.S. midfield. The team struggled to move the ball forward quickly and transition from defense to attack — two things Pulisic handles almost alone in this squad.
A Familiar Pattern of Precautionary Exits
This is not the first time Pulisic has been pulled early to protect against a soft-tissue problem. In January 2025, he was removed during a Serie A match against Como due to lower-back and glute tightness, according to Crypto Briefing. That proactive call reportedly saved him from a four-week layoff. The USMNT and AC Milan have a shared protocol: when muscle tightness appears, Pulisic comes off.
Medical analysts note that a kick to the calf can cause deep bruising — a hematoma — that feels similar to a muscle strain. If it is just bruising, Pulisic likely plays Tuesday. If it is a Grade 1 strain, he could miss 10 days, according to reporting by Yahoo Sports. USMNT medical staff was set to conduct imaging on the morning of June 13 to get a clearer answer.
Australia Match Raises Stakes for Pulisic's Return
The U.S. faces Australia in Seattle on June 19. A win would give the Americans 6 points from 6 and all but guarantee a spot in the knockout rounds. That timetable explains the conservative call Thursday night. Pochettino had a 3-0 lead and no reason to push Pulisic through discomfort when the points were already safe and a bigger game looms days away.
The stakes go beyond tactics. Pulisic is the face of the 2026 World Cup's domestic marketing push. Any extended absence would hit TV viewership numbers and secondary ticket prices for upcoming U.S. matches, according to Daily Mail. For now, every signal from the camp — Pulisic's "I'm good," Pochettino's calm post-match tone — points to a minor issue. But the next 24 hours of imaging will tell the real story.
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