Christian Pulisic Ruled Out for World Cup Clash Against Australia

SEATTLE — The United States will have to navigate a World Cup night without its biggest star.

Christian Pulisic was ruled out of Friday’s clash with Australia at Lumen Field after failing to shake off a calf injury, with Ricardo Pepi drafted into the starting lineup in his place.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino confirmed the decision about 90 minutes before kickoff during a live interview with Fox, ending the will-he-or-won’t-he speculation that had hovered over the build-up in Seattle. The plan had been to push Pulisic as far as his body would allow. The calf said no.

On Thursday, Pochettino had painted a cautiously optimistic picture, describing Pulisic as in a “much better” spot than he was last Friday. The message then was clear: if Australia came too soon, Turkey would not.

That remains the lifeline now. Pulisic is expected to be available for the Americans’ next match against Turkey, provided the recovery continues on its current track.

For tonight, though, the stage belongs to Pepi.