COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — The U.S. men’s national soccer team needs Christian Pulisic at his best for the 2026 World Cup. With his club career thriving in Italy, everyone hopes he’ll be ready when the tournament kicks off in North America next summer.
However, during the recent international window, the U.S. squad showed they can compete well without him. In a crucial match against Australia, after Pulisic left the game with a hamstring injury, Haji Wright stepped up. He scored two goals, leading his team to a thrilling 2-1 victory.
“I have to keep performing,” said Wright, who has already scored for the U.S. in the 2022 World Cup. He’s currently a top scorer in the English Championship for Coventry City. “If I shut off now, my chances for the World Cup roster might slip away.”
Pulisic had already missed the first match of the window, a 1-1 draw with Ecuador, due to an ankle issue from training. His hamstring injury will be evaluated at AC Milan, but his absence didn’t stop the team from rallying around Wright.
“It’s important to show I want to be part of this team,” said head coach Mauricio Pochettino. “Players who perform like Haji are definitely in the running for the World Cup.”
Wright’s goals, both assisted by Cristian Roldan, marked a significant moment in his U.S. career. After a year of challenges, this was the first time under Pochettino that the team came back to win after trailing.
Goalkeeper Matt Freese stresses the importance of consistent results as the World Cup approaches: “Game by game is what matters. We’re starting to get that mindset.”
The game began poorly for the U.S. as Australia took an early lead. After a mistake in defense, Jordan Bos scored, punishing the U.S. for a slow start. Pochettino remarked, “We cannot concede goals like that, especially not in the World Cup.”
Pulisic left the field after taking a couple of hard hits. Before his exit, Wright scored the equalizer by finishing a beautiful pass from Roldan. He followed it up with the winner after a clever cutback maneuver.
“I focused on the moment,” Wright explained. “I was expecting a cross, but then I realized I needed to create my own chance.”
In the final moments, the U.S. held strong against pressure from Australia. They demonstrated resilience and teamwork that bodes well for their future.
The team’s next steps include matches against Paraguay and Uruguay in November, critical for building momentum as they head toward the World Cup.
This recent performance not only boosts morale but also showcases the team’s potential. An inspiring statistic highlights this growth: the U.S. has been unbeaten in their last three matches against teams likely to compete in the World Cup.
As they prepare for the tournament, the challenge will be ensuring all key players, including Pulisic, are fit and firing. The clock is ticking, but this young team is proving ready to tackle the road ahead.
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Haji Wright, Mauricio Pochettino, Christian Pulisic, Cristian Roldan, World Cup roster, Australia, the World Cup, Chris Richards, 2026 World Cup, 2022 World Cup, Jordan Bos, Matt Freese, Cameron Burgess, USMNT, AC Milan, Aidan Morris, Weston McKennie, Ecuador, Canada, Diego Luna, Italy, Uruguay
