Pulisic calf – Christian Pulisic missed the pivotal match against Australia due to a calf injury, forcing Mauricio Pochettino to start Ricardo Pepi alongside Folarin Balogun. Despite low attacking output, the U.S. won 2-0—surviving a physical, defensive Australia—and advance
SEATTLE — The U.S. men’s national team walked into Friday’s game against Australia knowing one name was already off the roster: Christian Pulisic.
Mauricio Pochettino told the team that Pulisic would not play in the pivotal matchup as he continued recovering from a calf injury suffered during the opener against Paraguay.
It was a major blow for the U.S., and not just because Pulisic is a star. In his 45 minutes against Paraguay, he set the tone—helping force an early own goal and then assisting Folarin Balogun for his first of two goals.
As match time approached, speculation swirled inside U.S. circles about what would come next. Would Pochettino turn to Tim Weah or Aleandro Zendejas in a wider role? Or would he reach for a No. 10 like Gio Reyna? Instead, he made a choice that was both bold and slightly unexpected: a second striker.
Ricardo Pepi was selected to pair alongside Balogun up top.
The move didn’t look like a conventional fit. The U.S. rarely plays with two strikers, and Pepi and Balogun entered the match having played just 187 minutes together for the national team.
On paper, the numbers weren’t the kind that usually erase doubts. Pepi and Balogun combined for zero shots on target and just one shot total. Neither had a key pass, per Sofascore. Pepi touched the ball just 27 times in 74 minutes.
But the U.S. didn’t leave the night with a lesson in statistics. It left with a result.
The U.S. won 2-0, advancing to the knockout round with a game to spare in group play.
Australia, for its part, leaned into a back five and a defensive approach, so Pepi and Balogun were deployed to occupy the three Aussie central defenders and disrupt the rhythm of the U.S. attack.
It paid off quickly. With Pepi in the center, Balogun found space wide behind Australia’s defense and got into a dangerous position. A low cross from Balogun was turned in by Cameron Burgess for an own goal just 11 minutes in.
From there, the task shifted to the kind of work that rarely shows up on highlight reels. Balogun and Pepi settled into pressing Australia’s back line when it had the ball, holding up play, occupying defenders, and challenging for aerial balls.
Balogun framed it plainly after the game: “I want to be dangerous, I want to create opportunities… It might not always be myself that scores, but if I can force an error that gives us the lead, then for me it’s like a goal as well.”
He also credited Pochettino for the way the plan aligned with how the match unfolded. Balogun said he wasn’t surprised to be paired with Pepi—even if many U.S. observers had wondered if the decision would turn into a Plan B.
“To play with Pepi today wasn’t a shock,” Balogun said. “It wasn’t like a Plan B because [Pulisic] was out. It didn’t feel like that to me, it just felt like another solution to win the game.”
Balogun added: “Australia played a back five, so two strikers to occupy the center backs was a good idea. So I think that’s credit to the boss.”
The match itself carried the expected friction. It got chippy at times after a friendly between the teams in the fall that also reflected the rivalry’s edge.
Pepi, who was starting his first World Cup game, said he came prepared for a physical battle. “Obviously, it was a very intense game,” he said. “They were closing a lot of space in the midfield. so it was difficult to get a lot of shots on target. But at the end of the day, we gave them a hard time.”.
Pochettino’s view was that the performance did what it needed to do—control the game’s bigger moments while surviving the physicality. The U.S. managed to control possession and limit Australia’s chances. and it stayed resilient enough to secure three points and a knockout-round spot already secured.
“Today [Pepi] and [Balogun] made an unbelievable show for the team,” Pochettino said. “We are so happy with both of them.”
U.S. men’s national team USMNT Australia Christian Pulisic calf injury Mauricio Pochettino Ricardo Pepi Folarin Balogun World Cup Sofascore Cameron Burgess knockout round
Pulisic being out is crazy like why would he miss the big one?
I didn’t even realize Pulisic was hurt. Still they won 2-0 so I guess the coach did something right? But honestly it feels like Pepi and Balogun weren’t doing much and somehow it worked.
Wait so they advanced “with a game to spare” but also didn’t score much? That headline makes it sound like the whole offense failed lol. Also calf injury… isn’t that like the easiest thing to fake? (not saying he did, just confused) Pepi had 0 shots on target though, how is that even a plan.
2-0 is 2-0, I’ll take it. Australia played physical, sure, but every time the US gets one lucky moment it turns into “survived” like they weren’t also kind of struggling. Pulisic not playing probably made them tighter though, and the Australia defense getting beat once is all you need. Hope he’s back next match.