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Pulisic returns as USMNT secures group lead

ESPN Soccer •
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Christian Pulisic resumed full training on Monday, his first session since the June 11 left‑calf strain that forced him off at halftime against Paraguay. The United States entered the tournament with a 4‑1 win, but Pulisic missed the second‑half of that match and sat out the 2‑0 victory over Australia. Coach Berhalter praised his work rate. His return lifts a squad that already holds top spot in Group C.

Midfielder Cristian Roldan remains a day‑to‑day with a muscle strain, jeopardising his chance to replace Tyler Adams, who sits on a yellow card and will likely miss the upcoming clash with Türkiye to avoid suspension. Coach Gregg Berhalter must decide whether to shuffle the midfield or trust the bench options, a dilemma that could affect the round‑of‑32 lineup. Roldan's versatility could prove valuable.

The camp atmosphere feels upbeat, said reserve defender Alex Zendejas, who noted teammates joking while training intensively. Forward Folarin Balogun mentioned Weston McKennie showing fan‑reaction videos from bars and big screens across the country, underscoring the growing national buzz. With the group stage secured, the United States now aims to translate the high morale into a knockout‑round win. The squad hopes the momentum carries through to the next round.