The Socceroos may have received a huge boost ahead of their blockbuster World Cup showdown with the United States after American captain Christian Pulisic again failed to train with his teammates less than 24 hours before kick-off.
Pulisic, regarded as the face of American football and one of the biggest stars at the tournament, remained on a modified training program on Thursday as concerns continue to grow over a left calf injury.
The AC Milan attacker arrived at the US training base in Seattle wearing a protective sleeve on his calf before briefly joining teammates for a pre-training huddle.
But rather than taking part in the main session, the 27-year-old left with medical staff and headed to the gym, where he trained away from the squad for a fourth consecutive day.
The development has cast fresh doubt over whether the player dubbed ‘Captain America’ will be fit to face Australia in a match that could determine who takes control of Group D.
Pulisic has spent much of the week on a modified program after aggravating a calf injury against Paraguay
He trained away from his US teammates again as doubts continue to swirl ahead of the clash with Australia
He was one of America’s best players during a dominant first half before being substituted at the break.
‘Taking a little bit of precaution today, but I’m hoping I’ll be fine the next few days,’ Pulisic said after the match.
While US officials have remained tight-lipped about his condition, the continued absence from full training has become one of the biggest talking points ahead of the clash with Australia.
The Socceroos have already shown they are capable of upsetting highly fancied opponents after defeating Turkey 2-0 in their opening match, and Pulisic’s absence would remove America’s most dangerous attacking weapon.
The United States entered the tournament carrying significant expectations as co-hosts, with much of the pressure falling on the shoulders of their captain.
Former teammate Tyler Adams recently highlighted the burden Pulisic carries.
‘I can’t even imagine the weight that’s on his shoulders, in terms of, from such a young age, he was the hope of American soccer,’ Adams said.
‘He’s a star, not just for the US team but in world football.’
The United States know victory over Australia would place them in a commanding position in Group D
Australia’s players will be watching closely when the American team sheet is released before kick-off in Seattle
US players have spent much of the week facing questions about their captain’s availability.
Midfielder Brenden Aaronson admitted there was still uncertainty surrounding the situation.
‘Hopefully, Christian is going to be ready for the game,’ Aaronson said.
‘He’s a big player to us.’
Weston McKennie echoed those sentiments on Thursday.
‘I’m more just the energy guy, you know, either way, just trying to get good spirits and hopefully [Pulisic] can be there tomorrow,’ McKennie said.
‘I know he really wants to be and he’s doing everything that he can and the staff is doing everything that they can as well.’
The injury concern comes as tensions continue to build between the two nations after several American commentators and former players made disparaging remarks about Australia’s chances at the tournament.
The criticism has reportedly irritated members of the Socceroos camp, providing extra motivation heading into one of Australia’s biggest matches of the group stage.
Should Pulisic fail to recover in time, coach Mauricio Pochettino could turn to Giovanni Reyna, Timothy Weah, Alejandro Zendejas or Aaronson to fill the void.
But replacing the man many Americans regard as the greatest player their country has produced will be no easy task.
The former Chelsea star has scored 33 goals in 86 appearances for his country and remains the player Australia will be most relieved not to see when team sheets are released before kick-off in Seattle.
