Christian Pulisic was forced off with a hamstring injury in the first half, but the United States rallied to defeat Australia 2-1 in an international friendly on Tuesday night, showcasing resilience under manager Mauricio Pochettino.
The match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado, saw Pulisic substituted in the 28th minute after he felt discomfort in his hamstring following a challenge. U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino confirmed the injury post-match, stating that Pulisic would be reassessed and fly back to Italy for further evaluation. Pochettino suggested that the drastic climate change from Austin to Denver, with a 20-degree Celsius difference, might have contributed to the issue, highlighting the challenges of international travel and altitude adjustments for players arriving from Europe.
Despite the early setback, the U.S. team responded strongly after conceding a goal to Australia’s Jordan Bos in the 19th minute. Haji Wright, who started in place of Folarin Balogun, scored two goals, both assisted by Cristian Roldan. The equalizer came before halftime, and the winner resulted from a quickly taken free kick that set up Wright one-on-one with defender Cameron Burgess, from which he curled the ball past goalkeeper Matthew Ryan. This comeback marked the first under Pochettino where the U.S. won after falling behind, building on a recent draw against Ecuador.
Pochettino lauded Wright’s performance, noting that the striker has been in electric form for Coventry City, leading the English Championship with eight goals, and is playing pain-free for the first time in years after battling niggling injuries. He emphasized that Wright’s display positions him as a strong contender for the World Cup squad, reflecting the competitive environment Pochettino aims to foster. The manager also praised Roldan’s versatility and growing role, describing him as a player with confidence, belief, and romance who balances the team on and off the field.
Australia’s Jason Geria, who was shown a yellow card for a foul on Pulisic, acknowledged the physical nature of the match but denied any intent to target the U.S. star. He stated that the Socceroos are inherently a physical team and that the challenges were part of their style across the park. The loss ended Australia’s 12-game unbeaten streak, adding significance to the U.S. victory and highlighting the intensity of the friendly, which served as crucial preparation for both teams ahead of World Cup qualifying.
Pochettino attributed the team’s resilience to daily work and belief, calling it a magical transformation rooted in consistent communication and effort. He highlighted that this capacity to come from behind is no coincidence but stems from trust instilled in the players’ minds and hearts. The win provided a morale boost, demonstrating the squad’s depth and ability to perform under adversity, even without key players like Pulisic and previously injured Antonee Robinson.
The injury to Pulisic raises immediate concerns for his availability with AC Milan and the U.S. national team in the coming weeks. For the U.S., the victory and standout performances from Wright and Roldan offer positive momentum as they continue World Cup preparations, with Pochettino emphasizing the need to fix logistical issues like climate changes for future matches. The team will monitor Pulisic’s recovery closely, while the broader implications include bolstering roster options and reinforcing a fighting spirit ahead of competitive fixtures.