IRVINE, Calif. — Christian Pulisic Returns to Training

It’s great to know that No. 10 is back and gearing up for action.

And honestly, I hope he’s ready to go.

The last practice session before the World Cup Group D finale against the United States kicked off minutes after the start on Wednesday, with Pulisic spotted by reporters on the sidelines.

“I think I can guess the first question,” he joked, mentioning his return to team practice. “It’s been a bit like that lately, but I’m confident I can contribute tomorrow.”

These words brought relief to USMNT fans, as Pulisic had been sidelined due to a left calf injury from the opening match against Paraguay, missing the subsequent game against Australia.

There’s a lot of hope that manager Mauricio Pochettino will have Pulisic play at least 20 to 30 minutes against Turkey at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night. This would help Pulisic regain match fitness since his injury on June 12.

If Pochettino decides to keep Pulisic on the bench, it could be seen as a mistake, sending the wrong message to the rest of the crew.

On Wednesday, U.S. players expressed their desire to keep the momentum going from their first two World Cup matches—a 4-1 victory over Paraguay and a 2-0 win against Australia—as they aim to advance to the knockout stages.

Defender Mark McKenzie stated, “We have players with a winner’s mentality. Nobody comes into this tournament wanting to lose. Our performance collectively in the first two matches has been strong, and we want to finish the group stage positively.”

When discussing their approach for the upcoming match, which won’t impact their group ranking, McKenzie added, “We treat every match the same because the group stage isn’t over yet. We want to close out this match like we started and build on our current momentum.”

Fellow defender Chris Richards chimed in, noting, “It’s still the World Cup. There’s talk of us making history. We want to win all three matches in our group and move on with nine points.”

“If you’re not pumped for this, I don’t know what will get you excited.”

If Pulisic is fit enough and Pochettino is serious about besting Turkey and achieving a perfect 3-0 record in group play, he will surely start Pulisic.

Pochettino is known for his aggressive approach, so it’s likely he will take that route.

He’s not a coach who operates out of fear, and will likely abide by the principle of “play to win the game.”

When asked how many minutes he anticipates playing, Pulisic kept it open-ended: “I’ll discuss that with the coaches and medical staff. After missing the last game, we’ll figure it out.”

Missing the match against Australia felt strange for Pulisic, yet he acknowledged how well the team performed in his absence, reinforcing his belief in their capabilities.

“I felt a sense of loss not being able to contribute,” he expressed. “I wanted to be there, and I couldn’t be prouder of how the team handled that situation.”

“I believed in them. I knew they would win. It’s a fantastic team to be part of, and I’m just enjoying every moment.”

Pulisic remarked that the team’s showing against Australia was “not surprising.”

“We know this team has what it takes. We have depth, and there are strong players in various positions. We don’t have to carry the weight alone. We’re a solid team, and everyone supports each other. That’s part of what makes it enjoyable,” he noted, reflecting on their performance going into the match.

Fans are eager to see Pulisic back in a real game after his stellar first-half performance in the opening match.