Pulisic says calf injury improving, hopes to return for US against Turkey

Christian Pulisic expressed optimism regarding his recovery from a calf injury, stating his hope to participate in the United States' upcoming World Cup group stage finale against Turkey. The availability of the U.S. star forward remains uncertain for Thursday's match.

“

I'm feeling good. I joined with the team in the last few days, so I'm feeling good, feeling positive, and hopefully I'll be able to play a part tomorrow.

Pulisic has been sidelined since experiencing discomfort in his left calf during halftime of the match against Paraguay. He was unable to play in the subsequent 2-0 victory over Australia, although he indicated he had been close to featuring in that game. "I'm feeling good," Pulisic told reporters at the U.S. training camp. "I joined with the team in the last few days, so I'm feeling good, feeling positive, and hopefully I'll be able to play a part tomorrow."

The injury reportedly originated from a forceful kick to his calf during a training session a few days prior to the Paraguay game. Pulisic mentioned that while he felt fine initially during the match, the discomfort intensified in the first half. "I think I had a pretty strong contusion, strain, whatever you want to call it. But again, it's been a lot better," he said.

“

I think I had a pretty strong contusion, strain, whatever you want to call it. But again, it's been a lot better.

Sitting out the match against Australia was difficult for the 27-year-old forward. "Honestly it was tough after the first game, just knowing that I felt a little something," Pulisic admitted. "I never really feared the worst, but I obviously didn't want it to keep me out any longer than I had to."

“

Honestly it was tough after the first game, just knowing that I felt a little something. I never really feared the worst, but I obviously didn't want it to keep me out any longer than I had to.

The United States has already secured their place in the knockout rounds by winning their first two matches. This means the game against Turkey at Los Angeles Stadium is a "dead rubber" in terms of advancement. Pulisic noted the positive momentum within the team, stating, "When you win your last game, you go into the next one with that little bit of extra good feeling. That winning mentality feeling sticks with you. My teammates have made it so much easier on me because they got another incredible win."

“

When you win your last game, you go into the next one with that little bit of extra good feeling. That winning mentality feeling sticks with you. My teammates have made it so much easier on me because they got another incredible win.