Christian Pulisic injury update: Will USA star play World Cup game vs. Australia?

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The U.S. men's national team nearly had the perfect start to the World Cup on Friday, hammering Paraguay 4-1 in Los Angeles.

We use the term "nearly" because there was one major question mark that emerged from the match: the health of star forward Christian Pulisic.

Pulisic exited the game at halftime after taking a "bit of a kick" to his calf area. The 27-year-old said that his substitution was precautionary, but his health will be a major question heading into Friday's game against Australia.

"I've had similar things before, and I'm staying positive," he said after the game. "I don't think it's anything."

Pulisic was outstanding in the first half against the Paraguayans, helping to set up the first goal by dribbling through two defenders on a play that eventually became an own goal. He then assisted Folarin Balogun for the first of his two goals on the night.

USA World Cup lineup: Who could replace Pulisic?

Should Pulisic be unable to go against Australia in Seattle, head coach Mauricio Pochettino would have several options to replace him.

Tim Weah, who came off the bench against Paraguay, would be an obvious choice, though he plays more as a winger than Pulisic, who tends to float inside and find space between the opposition's midfield and defense.

Pochettino could start Gio Reyna as well after the playmaker had a standout cameo against Paraguay that included a last-gasp goal with the outside of his foot. Reyna is a different player than Pulisic, using guile and technical ability to break down defenses rather than the dynamism that Pulisic brings.

Alejandro Zendejas, Haji Wright and Brenden Aaronson are also attacking options who didn't see the field against Paraguay. Zendejas and Aaronson are options who can replicate Pulisic's ability to drive at defenders and put them under pressure.

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All games are being broadcast in the United States on Fox and FS1. Matches will also be broadcast in Spanish throughout the entirety of the World Cup on Telemundo and streaming on Peacock.

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World Cup TV Schedule for June 15

All times Eastern

• 12:00 p.m. - Spain vs Cape Verde (Group H) on Fox from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia
• 3:00 p.m. - Belgium vs Egypt (Group G) on Fox from Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington
• 6:00 p.m. - Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay (Group H) on FS1 from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida
• 9:00 p.m. - Iran vs New Zealand (Group G) on FS1 from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California

World Cup standings

Explore live group standings, stats and the updated bracket with USA TODAY Sports here.

World Cup groups

• Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czechia
• Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
• Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
• Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey
• Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
• Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
• Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
• Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
• Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway
• Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
• Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
• Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

World Cup key dates

• Group Stage: June 11-June 27
• Round of 32: June 28-July 3
• Round of 16: July 4-7
• Quarterfinals: July 9-11
• Semifinals: July 14-15
• Third-place game: July 18 (Miami Gardens, Florida)
• Final: July 19 (East Rutherford, New Jersey)