Christian Pulisic says substitution was precaution, hopes kicked leg ‘is nothing’

U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino says he hopes Pulisic will be available for next game on June 18

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — U.S. men’s soccer star Christian Pulisic was substituted out at halftime in the team’s World Cup opener against Paraguay on Friday after he could not loosen up his left calf, U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino said.

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Pochettino said Pulisic had been kicked two days before Friday’s 4-1 victory, in which Pulisic played superbly during the first half, including an assist on a goal by Folarin Balogun. But at halftime, Pulisic could not warm up and the U.S. team substituted him as a precaution while holding a 3-0 lead.

“Hope that is not a big issue,” Pochettino said. “That was so rushed, because [it] was in the last minute that we need to change and to do the substitution. But now I think it’s better and hope for the next game he will be available.”