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Pulisic Out: USMNT Faces Australia Without Star
20 Jun
Summary
- Christian Pulisic out with calf injury, impacting USMNT attack.
- Folarin Balogun leads USMNT attack after scoring twice.
- Australia fields a defensively solid lineup aiming for counterattacks.
Christian Pulisic has been ruled out of Friday's pivotal Group D match between the United States and Australia, presenting a significant challenge for the USMNT. The absence of their dynamic attacking player, sidelined with a calf injury, forces a reshuffle in the American lineup.
Despite Pulisic's absence, USA manager Mauricio Pochettino has largely maintained faith with the team that secured a decisive 4-1 victory in their previous game. Folarin Balogun is set to lead the attack again, following his brace against Paraguay. Ricardo Pepi is also expected to feature in an advanced role.
Australia, coming off a 2-0 win against Turkey, has made minimal changes to their starting XI. The Socceroos are expected to employ a disciplined defensive structure, relying on swift counterattacks to create scoring opportunities. Their lineup features a strong defensive unit anchored by Harry Souttar.
The match, scheduled for 3 p.m. ET at Lumen Field in Seattle, carries significant weight in determining the group winner. Bettors will be closely watching how the lineup decisions impact betting markets, particularly given the USMNT's favored status.
