Christian Pulisic says substitution was precaution, hopes kicked leg ‘is nothing’

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — U.S. men’s soccer star Christian Pulisic was substituted off at halftime of the team’s World Cup opener Friday against Paraguay after he could not loosen up his left calf, U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino said.

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Pochettino said Pulisic had been kicked two days before Friday’s 4-1 victory, in which Pulisic played superbly during the first half, including an assist on a goal by Folarin Balogun. But at halftime, Pulisic could not warm up and the U.S. team substituted him as a precaution while holding a 3-0 lead.

“Hope that is not a big issue,” Pochettino said. “That was so rushed, because (it) was in the last minute that we need to change and to do the substitution. But now I think it’s better, and hope for the next game he will be available.”

Friday’s game was the first World Cup game held on U.S. soil since 1994. The U.S. next plays Thursday against Australia in Seattle.

“I just got a bit of a kick in the first half, so I’m really hoping that it’s nothing,” Pulisic said. “Taking a little bit of a precaution today but I’m hoping I’ll be fine in the next few days.

“I’ve had similar things before and yeah, I’m staying positive. I don’t think it’s anything at all.”

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