\n<\/p>\n
SEATTLE — <\/span>U.S. star Christian Pulisic will miss Friday’s World Cup match against Australia because of a calf injury and was replaced in the starting lineup by Ricardo Pepi.<\/p>\n United States coach Mauricio Pochettino made the announcement during an interview with Fox about 90 minutes before the kickoff at Lumen Field in Seattle.<\/p>\n The move is a setback for a U.S. team that defeated Paraguay 4-1<\/a> in its opener on June 12 and with a win would clinch advancement to the round of 32.<\/p>\n Pulisic left the game at halftime after helping create the opening goal by splitting a pair of defenders before passing to Weston McKennie, then setting up Folarin Balogun for the second goal.<\/p>\n Pochettino said the 27-year-old attacker was kicked in the back of his left calf during a training session ahead of the game and felt tightness during the match.<\/p>\n Pulisic trained on his own in the leadup to the game<\/a> against Australia.<\/p>\n Pulisic has 33 goals in 87 international appearances.<\/p>\n Pepi was the only addition to the U.S. starting lineup.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n AP World Cup: https:\/\/apnews.com\/fifa-world-cup<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n