Christian Pulisic has been ruled out of USA’s World Cup group match against Australia on Friday night, with USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino having to handle an important second match without his ‘Captain America.’

The AC Milan winger was removed as a precaution at halftime of the side’s first game of the tournament, against Paraguay a week ago. His status for Friday’s meeting with Australia at Lumen Field in Seattle uncertain since, and he has remained a talking point as one of the best players in this summer’s tournament.

Despite registering an assist in their 4-1 opening win, Pulisic didn’t get on the scoresheet in Los Angeles. Pochettino will be hoping Folarin Balogun will deliver another quality display to keep his red-hot form going.

Why Pulisic Will Miss USMNT’s World Cup Match vs Australia

The Athletic has confirmed the 27-year-old will stay sidelined with an ongoing calf injury. “Christian is not available,” manager Pochettino said just before the lineups were announced.

Ricardo Pepi will start in his place, with a win going a long way in helping the Stars and Stripes qualify for the Round of 32 after they pulled out in front in Group D on goal difference in matchweek one.

USA’s Chances Of Going Deep At 2026 World Cup

Of course, of the three hosts, Mexico are historically the strongest outsiders at the tournament, but the United States kicked things off well last week. With a strong feel-good factor and excitement around the camp, Pochettino’s side could well prove to be a dark horse this summer.

Under his guidance, they have played with a real sense of freedom, and the fact that Pulisic didn’t get on the scoresheet yet they still managed four goals is a testament to the depth of talent now coming through. It also highlights how the country – long thought to be less interested in football – has steadily grown in the sport’s popularity in recent years, with more players emerging as a result.

Sterner tests are yet to come, but form can go a long way in tournament football – something the manager will be well aware after taking a under-funded Tottenham team to the Champions League final in 2019.

Justin Gaethje emerged victorious at the White House during UFC Freedom 250 after defeating Ilia Topuria via a fourth-round stoppage, partly thanks to a $500 bet.

Topuria and Gaethje put on an amazing spectacle in Washington D.C. as they went head-to-head inside the Octagon, earning Fight of the Night honours in the process.

Gaethje sprung the upset in the pair’s undisputed title fight, busting Topuria’s face up badly with strikes. By the end of the fight, both of the adopted Spaniard’s eyes were badly swollen, and it was later revealed that he had suffered broken orbital bones in both of his eyes.

Gaethje Survived Vicious Body Shots to Defeat Topuria at the White House

However, before Gaethje claimed his career-defining victory, he was forced to battle through severe adversity in the second round. The American was dropped to the canvas with a perfectly timed liver shot that sent him directly to the canvas.

Topuria looked to be on the verge of a win, but Gaethje managed to survive thanks to a bet that he made with his sparring partners before the fight.

In a post to his YouTube channel, Gaethje’s sparring partner and fellow UFC lightweight Drew Dober explained how the wager had helped Justin prepare for Topuria’s body shots.

“He was able to stay in the pocket of Ilia Topuria, handle those body shots in the second round], which not many people can do. But Gaethje has that championship mindset and heart. I mean, he gives out $500 to anybody that drops him with a body shot in sparring. I definitely have tried to earn that $500, so I know he can recover from that and he did.”

Topuria Criticised For His UFC White House Preparation

Amber Searls via Imagn Images

In the aftermath of his defeat, Topuria has faced questions about his own training camp. ‘El Matador’ was called out by former two-division UFC champion, Conor McGregor, who argued that Ilia wasn’t testing himself enough in the gym.

Speaking on the Ariel Helwani Show, McGregor noted:

“I knew [Topuria would lose], I’d just seen the training. You need to get it put on you in the gym. You need the guys coming at you. There was too much the other way.

“Walking forward, hands down…you’re gonna get walloped,” insisted McGregor. “He’s a bit flat-footed. He’s not a fully complete fighter.

I’ve not been in that situation. He got banged up bad, which caused him to quit.”

Tottenham may miss out on one of their midfield transfer targets this summer.

Spurs have done some strong work in the summer transfer window already, with three signings in defence being made. Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi were swift free transfers from Liverpool and Bournemouth respectively, while Spurs acted quickly to get a £52million deal for Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton over the line.

Now attention will turn to other parts of the pitch, with Roberto De Zerbi keen to strengthen in midfield.

GIVEMESPORT understands that Tottenham are keen to make a statement signing this summer and the central midfielders they are being linked with would certainly be that given the figures involved.

Two midfielders Spurs want to sign

via Reuters

Spurs are in talks over a deal to sign Sandro Tonali from Newcastle, with the Magpies expecting a fee in the region of £100million to get a deal done.

Meanwhile, Spurs have also been in contact with West Ham star Mateus Fernandes’ representatives over a move to north London, with that deal likely to cost £80million too.

Spurs survived in the Premier League on the final day of last season at the expense of the Hammers, who will play in the Championship next season and for Fernandes that does not hold much excitement.

The 21-year-old only left Southampton to join the Hammers last summer, after the Saints were relegated to the second tier and another move may now be on the cards this year.

Tottenham face competition in their bid to sign him, however, with Manchester United having already laid a lot of groundwork for a deal.

United are in the market for at least two midfielders this summer, with Ederson already signed in a £38million deal from Atalanta, bar the official confirmation.

Tottenham and Man Utd both in talks to sign Fernandes

via Reuters

Fernandes is one of a number of names on their shortlist to arrive at Old Trafford and a bid is already planned.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano said: “It’s true that Tottenham called the agent of the player.

“So, Tottenham had a conversation with the agent of player and are interested in Mateus Fernandes, but at the moment, it’s still early to say where he is going.

“Tottenham calling, Manchester United in talks, Real Madrid under consideration.”

Now it has emerged that Fernandes would prefer a move to Old Trafford over staying in London and signing for West Ham’s bitter rivals Tottenham.

One trusted Spurs source on X posted after the links: ‘He has his heart set out on Utd.’