USA’s Pulisic shrugs off injury scare after 4-1 World Cup win over Paraguay

United States star Christian Pulisic played down injury concerns after he was substituted at half-time in the FIFA World Cup cohosts’ 4-1 opening win over Paraguay in Los Angeles on Friday.

The 27-year-old told journalists at SoFi Stadium that his substitution was just a precaution.

“I just got a bit of a kick in the first half, so I’m really hoping that it’s nothing. Taking a little bit of precaution today. But I’m hoping I’ll be fine in the next few days,” said Pulisic.

The AC Milan forward is the US team‘s talisman, shouldering the weight of a nation’s expectations as they try to make history with a deep run in a World Cup, their first on home soil in 32 years.

Why was Pulisic subbed out?

Pulisic was a constant menace in a rampant first half, providing an assist as well as helping create Paraguay’s own goal with a clever one-two with Weston McKennie.

But he was taken off at half-time, and later told reporters he had received a knock in “the back of my leg”.

Christian Pulisic of the US (R) in action with Paraguay’s Diego Gomez [Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn Images via Reuters]

“Sort of my (left) calf area. But I’ve had similar things before … I’m staying positive. I don’t think it’s anything at all.”

Coach Mauricio Pochettino also said the forward was substituted because “we didn’t want to take any risks.”