U.S. World Cup Training Base (IRVINE, Calif.) \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Can I guess the first question?<\/i><\/p>\n Christian Pulisic knew what was on everybody\u2019s mind. When the superstar forward approached a group of reporters before U.S. men\u2019s national team training on Wednesday, he flashed a smile, already anticipating the topic of conversation.<\/p>\n (Photo by Jamie Squire\/Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>\n “How are you feeling?” one reporter asked. He grinned again.\u00a0<\/p>\n “I\u2019m feeling good,” said Pulisic, who has only played 45 minutes of this World Cup so far due to a left calf injury.\u00a0<\/p>\n “I\u2019ve obviously joined the team in the last few days, so I\u2019m feeling good, positive going into it, and hopefully I\u2019ll be able to play a part tomorrow.”<\/p>\n Pulisic has not played for the USA since getting subbed off at halftime of the Americans\u2019 World Cup opening 4-1 win over Paraguay nearly two weeks ago. He sat on the bench for the 2-0 victory against Australia last week, and is hopeful of seeing the field Thursday when the U.S. faces T\u00fcrkiye at Los Angeles Stadium.<\/p>\n Pulisic explained on Wednesday that he “took a big kick to the calf” a couple of days before the team\u2019s first game. Asked who kicked him, Pulisic joked, “I will not disclose that.” He proceeded to start against Paraguay and played a role in the first two goals. But he began to feel the injury as the match wore on. Pulisic believes adrenaline helped mask the severity of it at the time, which is why he downplayed the issue when he spoke to reporters afterward. Ultimately, though, the injury proved significant enough to sideline him from full training and force him to miss the next match.<\/p>\n Pulisic still isn\u2019t quite sure what to call his injury \u2013 he described it as a “pretty strong contusion, strain \u2013 whatever you want to call it.” And he\u2019s anxious to get back on the field. The past 12 days have been difficult.<\/p>\n “Honestly, it was tough after the first game for sure, just knowing that I felt a little something,” Pulisic said, honestly. “I never really feared the worst, but I obviously didn’t want it to keep me out any longer than I had to, and I was really trying to get ready for the last game. I feel like I could have gone, but it just wasn’t quite there.”<\/p>\n Pulisic experienced “tough emotions” in Seattle knowing he would be a spectator. Winning \u2013 and subsequently clinching first place in Group D \u2013 made it a little bit easier.<\/p>\n Pulisic appeared happy and light ahead of training. All week he\u2019s seemed unburdened and at ease with his teammates as they practiced in sunny Southern California where the temperatures have rarely climbed above the 70s. After the Australia game, cameras caught Pulisic smiling and singing “Take Me Home, Country Roads” while walking around the field and enjoying the moment with his teammates.<\/p>\n “World Cups are so special,” Pulisic said. “Getting two wins in the first two games, sending yourself to the next round, it was just a fun moment with the team. They played a song we all knew, and I just can\u2019t explain it \u2013 it gives you chills.\u00a0<\/p>\n “It\u2019s so much fun to be here, be a part of this team, whether I\u2019m playing or not. Honestly, it\u2019s just like, it\u2019s the best experience that you can ever live. So I\u2019m just loving it.”<\/p>\n It remains unclear whether Pulisic will play against T\u00fcrkiye. U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino has not revealed his starting lineup to players before match day, so Pulisic said he doesn’t know what role he’ll have Thursday. He doubts he’d be asked to go the full 90 minutes after missing time. Still, Pulisic brushed aside the idea that he’s been out for two weeks, noting that he’s trained individually every day and continued to get touches on the ball. As far as he’s concerned, he hasn’t lost any sharpness.<\/p>\n Beyond Pulisic\u2019s availability, Pochettino has broader squad decisions to manage ahead of the final group game. The Americans have already clinched a spot in the knockout stage and will face a to-be-determined third-place finisher on July 1 in Santa Clara. Additionally, Chris Richards, Antonee “Jedi” Robinson, Tyler Adams and Folarin Balogun are all one booking away from suspension. Although yellow cards are wiped after the group stage, another caution against T\u00fcrkiye would force them to miss the round of 32.<\/p>\n Christian Pulisic’s only appearance so far was in the opener against Paraguay. (Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" POPULAR SEARCHES BROWSE BY U.S. World Cup Training Base (IRVINE, Calif.) \u2013\u00a0Can I guess the first question? Christian Pulisic knew what was on everybody\u2019s mind. When the superstar forward approached a group of reporters before U.S. men\u2019s national team training on Wednesday, he flashed a smile, already anticipating the topic of conversation. 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