Overview
- Pulisic sustained a calf/leg injury in the opener and has progressed through the U.S. return-to-play steps, doing light pitch work, gym sessions and wearing a protective sleeve so he is expected to be an option for the Turkiye match.
- The U.S. have already secured first place in Group D so the Turkiye game is a dead rubber and the staff can choose to protect his fitness without risking group-stage consequences.
- Former coach Gregg Berhalter publicly urged that Pulisic should play if medically cleared to avoid a long layoff before the knockouts, arguing limited minutes could preserve match rhythm.
- Other analysts and opinion pieces recommend resting Pulisic to reduce reinjury risk and keep him fresh for later rounds, pointing to the team’s depth and recent positive results without him.
- Ricardo Pepi and other forwards have filled Pulisic’s role competently, giving coach Mauricio Pochettino a viable alternative and leaving the final selection to medical clearance and tactical judgment.