SEATTLE, June 18 (Xinhua) -- United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino said on Thursday that star forward Christian Pulisic remains doubtful for the team's FIFA World Cup Group D match against Australia, while stressing that the co-host must be fully prepared for a difficult challenge in Seattle.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Pochettino said a final decision on Pulisic's availability would be made after consultations with the team's medical staff. The U.S. captain has been recovering from a calf injury suffered during the opening victory over Paraguay and has trained separately from the main squad in recent days.
"We will see," Pochettino said. "If he is not available for tomorrow, he should be available for the next game. He is making a huge effort to be ready."
The Argentine coach praised Pulisic's commitment and determination, describing the AC Milan attacker as a player eager to represent his country on home soil despite the physical setback.
Pochettino also warned against underestimating Australia, which opened its World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over Türkiye.
"Australia will be a really tough opponent," he said. "They have good players, a strong organization and an excellent coach."
Recalling Australia's performance against eventual champion Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Pochettino noted that the Socceroos have repeatedly shown their ability to compete with elite teams on the biggest stage.
The United States enters Friday's match after a convincing 4-1 win over Paraguay in its tournament opener. Both the United States and Australia currently sit atop Group D with three points, making the encounter a key fixture in the race for qualification to the knockout stage.
Pochettino said his players must remain focused and maintain the aggressive mentality that has characterized the team's recent performances.
"We need to respect our opponent and concentrate on ourselves," he said. "The most important thing is to be ready to compete."
The match will be played at Seattle Stadium, one of the host venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. ■
