COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (AP) – Christian Pulisic may be available for the U.S. team’s friendly against Australia on Tuesday night, but Anthony Robinson will not play because of soreness in his surgically repaired right knee.
Pulisic did not start against Ecuador on Friday due to a sore ankle, with the attacking winger coming on in the 73rd minute. 1-1 draw. Manager Mauricio Pochettino said Pulisic took part in the entire training session on Monday.
“I hope he will be available tomorrow,” Pochettino said. “It’s a lot better than when he came.”
28 year old left back, Robinson underwent knee surgery on May 27th.Two days after Fulham’s final Premier League match. He only made three substitute appearances in Fulham’s first seven league games this season, making a full appearance in the League Cup match against Cambridge United on 23 September.
“Anthony has had a little problem with his knee since the beginning of camp, soreness, a little bit of pain,” Pochettino said. “We are managing him in the best possible way, but he is still unable to take part in training and will certainly not be able to take part in tomorrow’s game. “That is not the main thing and we hope that he will be able to return to his club and train and play as usual.”
Australia is like Ecuador. qualified for next year’s World Cupdefeated Canada 1-0 on Friday, winning their seventh straight game and extending their unbeaten streak to 12 games.
“It’s also a good opportunity to continue to improve and maybe show a different approach to the game, change the system, change the players,” Pochettino said. “We’re trying to build something for the World Cup.”
Former U.S. starter Zach Steffen, who plays for Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids, is not among the four goalies in camp. Pochettino selected current starter Matt Freeze along with Matt Turner, Chris Brady and Patrick Schulte.
“All positions are vacant,” Pochettino said. “He was a little bit unlucky because he was injured in various camps and tournaments. Yeah, but he’s certainly on our radar. And of course, if he performs, he’ll have a chance to play with us again.”
___
AP MLS: https://apnews.com/hub/major-league-soccer
