IRVINE, Calif. — Christian Pulisic said he feels “great” now after missing one World Cup match with a calf injury, and the standout veteran hopes to play for the U.S. men’s soccer team in its final Group D game against Turkey on Thursday night at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium.
Pulisic played a dynamic first half in the Americans’ historic 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their World Cup opener on June 12 at SoFi Stadium, but the 27-year-old midfielder who plays professionally for AC Milan in Italy’s top-level Serie A did not return to the field after halftime when the calf he had previously injured in practice stiffened up.
Pulisic said he nearly played in the Americans’ 2-0 victory over Australia last Friday at Seattle’s Lumen Field but was held out to get closer to full health for the games ahead. He has returned to practice with his teammates this week after working out on his own last week before the trip to Seattle.
“I’m hoping to play a part in (the match against Turkey), for sure,” Pulisic said before the U.S. practiced Wednesday at Great Park. “I’ll discuss that with my coaches and the medical staff. Obviously not a good chance I’ll probably go and play 90 (minutes) right away after you come back and miss a game, but we’ll see.”
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino didn’t reveal his plan Wednesday for Pulisic in the match against Turkey, which is meaningless for both teams. The Americans are locked into first place in their group, while Turkey has been eliminated from contention for a spot in the round of 32 that begins the knockout phase of the 48-team tournament being co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.