Christian Pulisic could be available, with Antonee Robinson ruled out for a friendly between the US and Australia

Christian Pulisic may be available for the United States’ friendly against Australia on Tuesday night, but Antonee Robinson will not play due to pain in his surgically repaired right knee.

Suffering from a sore ankle, Pulisic did not start against Ecuador on Friday and the winger went into the 73rd minute in a 1-1 draw. Coach Mauricio Pochettino said Pulisic attended the entire training session on Monday.

«I hope he can be available tomorrow. It’s much better than when he arrived,» Pochettino said.

Robinson, a 28-year-old left back, underwent knee surgery on May 27, two days after Fulham’s Premier League final. He has been limited to three substitutes in Fulham’s first seven league games this season and played the full League Cup match against fourth-tier Cambridge United on September 23.

“Antonee comes from the beginning of the camp, he has a little problem in his knee, pain, a little bit of pain,” Pochettino said.

«We are guiding him in the best way, but still cannot be involved in training, and tomorrow he will definitely not be involved in the match. I hope that is not important and that I come back to his club and can train and compete there in a normal way,» he added.

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Australia, which like Ecuador has qualified for next year’s World Cup, defeated Canada 1-0 on Friday for its seventh straight win, extending its unbeaten run to 12 matches.

«It’s also a good opportunity to keep improving and maybe show different approaches to the game and maybe change the system, change the players,» Pochettino said.

“It’s about to build something intended for the World Cup,” he added.

Former American starter Zack Steffen, who plays for Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids, is not among the four goalkeepers in the camp. Pochettino opted for current starter Matt Freese, along with Matt Turner, Chris Brady and Patrick Schulte.

«All positions are open. He was a bit unlucky in different camps and tournaments, and he got injured. Yes, but he is definitely on our radar, and if he performs he will of course have the opportunity to be with us again,» Pochettino said.

Published on October 14, 2025