INGLEWOOD, Calif. — USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino faces an anxious wait over the injury status of Christian Pulisic, after the star attacker was substituted as halftime of the team’s rousing 4-1 win over Paraguay in its World Cup opener.Pulisic himself described the situation as “taking precaution” after feeling tightness in his calf. With a 3-0 halftime lead, the team opted not to take any risks and he was replaced by Sebastian Berhalter. That calf will be closely monitored over the next week as the U.S. prepares to face Australia in Seattle on June 19.“He received a kick before today (too) in a training session, we hope it’s not a big issue,” Pochettino said. “When he finished the first half, he could not walk.“We’re hopeful the next game he’ll be available.”What works into the U.S.’s favor is that at an expanded World Cup, the USMNT will have more time between games than in previous editions. There’s a full week separating the first and second Group D games for the co-hosts.Pulisic has a bit of a checkered injury history, suffering calf and muscular problems in 2024-25, and small strains last season that led to brief layoffs. The USMNT will be desperate for him to make a speedy return to full fitness, especially given his importance to the team and his output Friday night.“I just got a bit of a kick in the first half, I’m hoping that it’s nothing, taking precaution,” Pulisic said. “Staying positive, I don’t think it’s anything.”