SEATTLE — American soccer standout Christian Pulisic has been ruled out of Friday’s World Cup Group D showdown against Australia, sidelined by an injury that kept him training separately from his teammates throughout the week.
Pulisic, who holds 83 international caps for the United States, was pulled from the field at halftime during the team’s opening World Cup match against Paraguay. Ricardo Pepi, who entered that game as a substitute, will now step into the starting lineup as the only roster change for the Americans.
On the Australian side, Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic is making two changes from the starting eleven that knocked off Turkey 2-0 in their first match. Both of Australia’s goalscorers from that game — Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe — have been moved to the bench.
Twenty-two-year-old goalkeeper Patrick Beach will once again start between the posts for Australia in place of Mat Ryan, while defender Harry Souttar has been named team captain.
Starting Lineups:
United States: Matt Freese; Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson; Tyler Adams, Malik Tillman; Sergino Dest, Weston McKennie, Ricardo Pepi; Folarin Balogun
Australia: Patrick Beach; Jacob Italiano, Alessandro Circati, Harry Souttar, Cameron Burgess, Jordan Bos; Mathew Leckie, Aiden O’Neill, Paul Okon-Engstler, Nishan Velupillay; Mohamed Toure
