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Jeff Carlisle
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino indicated that he will wait until Tuesday to decide if AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic will be available for the U.S. friendly against Australia. In contrast, Fulham defender Antonee Robinson has been ruled out due to persisting knee issues.
Pochettino noted on Monday that Pulisic is making good progress with his injured ankle, having played approximately 20 minutes in the recent draw with Ecuador. He mentioned that Pulisic participated in Monday’s training session, but the U.S. manager wants to observe his reaction before finalizing his availability.
“The response after the 20 minutes against Ecuador was positive,” said Pochettino regarding Pulisic. “His ankle seems to have reacted well, and we hope he can be available tomorrow. However, we need to monitor his response today.”
Concerning Robinson, Pochettino explained that the defender is dealing with some discomfort in his knee, though he did not specify if it relates to the knee he had operated on in May.
“Antonee has been dealing with some minor knee pain since the start of camp,” Pochettino shared. “We’re managing his situation cautiously, but he is unable to participate in training and will definitely miss the game tomorrow. I hope it’s not a serious issue, and that he can return to his club for normal training.”
When discussing the lineup against Australia, Pochettino mentioned that he is considering whether to maintain a similar lineup with tactical adjustments or to give other players from the camp a chance to shine.
It will likely be a blend of both approaches, but the Argentine coach seems to favor making changes.
Pochettino expressed, “We might give a chance to players who can perform and demonstrate, ‘Hey, I’m here, and I can be part of the World Cup team.’ That’s more likely than sticking with the same group, and surely we will see some changes, possibly even a shift in formation.”
Pochettino acknowledged that while the U.S. is still developing its tactical identity, Australia has a more established style and is unlikely to alter their game plan.
He anticipates that, similar to Ecuador, Australia will play aggressively.
“I believe they will challenge us to perform our best, pushing us not just in terms of strategy but also in individual duels and game situations we need to manage effectively,” Pochettino stated. “Australia will certainly aid us in this respect.”