06/22/26 03:15:00
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06/22 15:13 CDT Christian Pulisic returns to training with US after missing
last World Cup match with injury
Christian Pulisic returns to training with US after missing last World Cup
match with injury
By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer
IRVINE, Calif. (AP) --- Christian Pulisic returned to training with his U.S.
teammates on Monday after missing their most recent match of the World Cup with
a calf injury.
Pulisic participated in warmups and ball drills during the 15 minutes of
practice open to the media in Orange County. The team gave no formal update on
the status of the AC Milan midfielder, who has been limited to one dynamic half
of play in the unbeaten Americans' home World Cup.
Pulisic didn't play in the Americans' 2-0 victory over Australia in Seattle
last Friday. He played the first half of their tournament-opening victory over
Paraguay, catalyzing two of the U.S. team's three goals in the first half of a
historic 4-1 win before coming off at halftime with stiffness from the injury
incurred the previous week in training.
Pulisic trained apart from his teammates during the workouts between the first
two games, so his return to the full squad was obviously encouraging. He had
been limited to gym workouts, resistance training and light ball work during
his absence.
"It's a tough situation when you're going through a small, little knock," U.S.
teammate Alex Zendejas said Monday. "It's an important tournament where
obviously everyone wants to be able to get out there 100%, but (we don't) talk
about the injury or talk about the moment (Pulisic) is going through. (We) talk
about other stuff, try to get his mind off of it. Just be there for him."
The U.S. finishes group play on Thursday night at SoFi Stadium against Turkey
in a meaningless game for the group-winning Americans and the
already-eliminated Turks.
The Americans' first knockout match is on July 1 in Santa Clara, California.
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino still didn't have his entire roster on the field
at Great Park. Midfielder Cristian Roldan missed practice with a strained
muscle.
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AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/FIFA-World-Cup
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