COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (AP) — Christian Pulisic is leaving the team. USA beat Australia 2-1 Midway through the first half on Tuesday night, U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino said he appeared to have injured his hamstring.
Top American player Pulisic missed the game last week due to a right ankle injury. 1-1 draw against Ecuador on Friday In the 73rd minute.
In the 26th minute on Tuesday, Pulisic was tripped by Jason Guerria and fell to the field, making this his second tough challenge. Gueria was given a yellow card by Trinidad and Tobago referee Quincy Williams.
After being examined by an athletic trainer, the 27-year-old attacking winger left the field and was replaced by Diego Luna in the 30th minute.
“I think he feels something in his hamstring,” Pochettino said. “Tomorrow he will fly to Italy. Tonight we will assess and see how he goes. I can’t say anything at the moment.”
Malik Tillman didn’t dress because he felt cramps in his thighs during Monday’s workout.
“I hope it won’t be a big problem,” Pochettino said of the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder.
Pochettino noted that last week’s home games were played in Austin, Texas, where the temperature was 86 degrees at kickoff, and Colorado, where the temperature was 66 degrees on Tuesday and much colder during Monday’s practice.
“It’s a big risk,” the coach said. “I don’t want to say to Christian or Malik that we feel anything because of (the weather), but I think it was really tough for the players to prepare for the game and then play. We’re really sad about the situation. … It can affect your body and everything. … That’s something we need to fix for the future, no, when we come from Europe.”
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