sports
U.S. player substituted at halftime of World Cup opener
The player left the match after reporting tightness in his left calf. The team held a 3-0 lead at the break and finished with a 4-1 victory.
Jun 13, 3:05 PM·1m read1 source
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United States winger Christian Pulisic was substituted at halftime of his team's World Cup opener against Paraguay on Friday, with the Americans leading 3-0 at the break at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. After the match, Pulisic told reporters he was kicked in the back of his left calf and that he did not believe it was anything serious.
"I just got a bit of a kick first half, so I'm really hoping that it's nothing," Pulisic said. " "Just the back of my leg, my calf area. But I've had similar things before and I'm staying positive. I don't think it's anything at all," he added.
Match details Pulisic had been dynamic throughout the opening half, knifing through the Paraguay defense to help force an own goal for the first score and setting up another player for the team's second. That player scored one more to give the U.S. a 3-0 lead at the half.
When the teams took the field to start the second half, another player came on for Pulisic. The coach said the move was largely precautionary and that Pulisic was already kicked in the calf during a training session two days ago. "He got a kick in the calf and at the end of the first half he started to feel tight and we didn't want to take any risks," the coach said.
"It was difficult for him to walk. " Paraguay scored in the second half, but another player scored just before the final whistle to restore the three-goal lead as a composed U.S. side saw out the match for a 4-1 win.
