USMNT riding good vibes as Christian Pulisic back in training

IRVINE, Calif. — The United States men’s national team is riding high as Christian Pulisic returns to full training for the first time since June 11, following recovery from a left calf injury.

Pulisic sustained the injury just before the tournament-opening 4-1 win against Paraguay at the FIFA World Cup 2026. He played the first half but exited at halftime due to aggravation of the injury. He did not participate in training leading up to the match against Australia and remained on the bench during the 2-0 victory.

In less uplifting news, U.S. midfielder Cristian Roldan is struggling with a muscle strain and is currently day-to-day, as stated by a U.S. Soccer spokesperson. This injury comes at a challenging time for Roldan.

Midfielder Tyler Adams is already facing a yellow card suspension, meaning he might sit out the upcoming match against Türkiye to avoid receiving a second yellow card that could trigger a ban for the round of 32.

Initially expected to replace Adams, Roldan’s availability is now uncertain. In contrast, Pulisic’s return combined with the USMNT’s secured top position in their group amplifies the squad’s confidence.

“I think the vibes are high,” stated Alex Zendejas. Though he hasn’t played yet, he’s anticipated to take the field against Türkiye. “Training’s intense but enjoyable. We’re all competing, and that says a lot about the group.”

Teams’ goal celebrations demonstrate their camaraderie. After Alex Freeman’s goal against Australia was validated by VAR, the players celebrated with enthusiasm, though Zendejas humorously noted the challenge of catching Freeman as he sprinted off.

Additionally, the team is recognizing the growing support from fans across the nation. Forward Folarin Balogun shared that teammate Weston McKennie has shown him videos of enthusiastic fans celebrating in various locations, from bars to public large screen viewings.

“It’s hard for us to grasp fully while we’re in it, but once this experience is over, we’ll see the real impact we’ve made,” Balogun remarked.