Christian Pulisic has stated he is ready to play a full 90 minutes, or potentially more, for the U.S. men's national team as they prepare for their Round of 32 World Cup match against Bosnia-Herzegovina. The midfielder, who has not played a full 90 minutes in over three months, could be called upon to play up to 120 minutes should the game go into extra time.
Pulisic expressed confidence in his physical readiness. "I felt great in the last game against Turkey," he said. "Feeling good this week. Definitely ready to go tomorrow."
The forward played 32 minutes in the team's group-stage finale against Turkey, a performance that saw an immediate shift in the game's tempo. His ability to draw attention and break down defenses is considered a singular talent for the USMNT. Coach Mauricio Pochettino's management of Pulisic, particularly concerning his endurance for extended play, will be a significant factor in Wednesday's match. Ensuring Pulisic is fit for a potential penalty shootout is also a key consideration.
In other team news, Auston Trusty has returned to full training after an ankle issue and will be available. Cristian Roldan continues in modified training due to a quad strain, and Mark McKenzie is improving from a foot irritation but remained out of training. Pochettino indicated it would be difficult for either Roldan or McKenzie to be available for the match.
Bosnia coach Sergej Barbarez addressed a recent comment made by an ABC7 Los Angeles reporter regarding her inability to locate Bosnia-Herzegovina on a map, attributing it to "today's culture" and social media, but stated he was not concerned with such matters. Pulisic also commented on Zlatan Ibrahimović's role as an analyst on Fox, calling him "hilarious" and a "really good guy."