Christian Pulisic Injury Update, Latest on USMNT Star's Status for World Cup Match vs. Australia

Christian Pulisic will miss Friday's World Cup contest against Australia as he continues to deal with a calf injury.

Fox Sports' Jenny Taft spoke to USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino, who confirmed Pulisic's absence, noting Ricardo Pepi will start in his place:

On Thursday, Taft reported Thursday that Pulisic was "day-to-day: and hadn't had a full training session this week.

Pulisic exited last week's game against Paraguay early after being kicked in the back of the leg, but he explained at the time that it was just a precautionary measure.

"I just got a bit of a kick first half, so I'm really hoping that it's nothing," Pulisic told reporters. "Taking a little bit of precaution today, but I'm hoping I'll be fine the next few days.

"Just the back of my leg, my calf area. But I've had similar things before, and I'm staying positive. I don't think it's anything at all."

Pochettino said that Pulisic had previously taken a kick to the back of the leg in training last week.

Pulisic was big in the United States' win over Paraguay, as he helped force an own goal and later assisted on another goal. The USMNT is hoping to recreate its success from last week, and having Pulisic back on the pitch would help tremendously.

"Hopefully he can be there tomorrow," midfielder Weston McKennie told reporters. "I know he really wants to be and he's doing everything he can, and the staff is doing everything they can as well."

Having Pulisic back on Friday would have been ideal, but the USMNT also understands that it's better to have him at 100 percent later in the tournament.

"It's a long tournament," defender Antonee Robinson said. "If we don't have him back for the game, then we're going to make sure we have him back for the rest of the way because we're going to need him. We're going to need everyone."