Who is Replacing Christian Pulisic in the USMNT Starting Lineup vs Australia?

The United States Men’s National Team revealed some disappointing news entering Friday’s Group D matchup with Australia, with attacking midfielder Christian Pulisic declared out of the Americans’ second game of the tournament.

Pulisic sustained a left calf injury during his team’s World Cup-opening win over Paraguay and is now sidelined for a critical tilt with the Australians. Set to replace the veteran in the starting lineup is Ricardo Pepi, who is making his World Cup debut in 2026.

Pepi is 23 years and his last start for the men’s national team was May 31 in a friendly against Senegal. The game resulted in a 3-2 USMNT win, with Pepi assisting a Pulisic goal during the victory.

More: Three Reasons USMNT Will Beat Australia in High-Profile World Cup Tilt

“What I like about his game is his ability to drop, create for other players,” former USMNT striker Clint Dempsey said on the FOX pregame show. “The last World Cup he didn’t make it. Today, you got your shot. He’s going out there with a point to prove.”

Pepi previously participated in qualifying in 2022, but did not make the roster for that year’s World Cup. He plays his club soccer for PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands. He netted 16 goals during his team’s Eredivisie championship season in 2025-26.

The youngster is being thrust into action in what is a critical matchup for the Americans, who are hoping to follow up a dominant performance in a 4-1 triumph over the Paraguayans. Pulisic recorded an assist during what was the most complete performance by the men’s national team in recent memory, matching the team’s largest margin of victory.

The last time the Americans won by a three-goal margin was in 1930 during wins over Belgium and, you guessed it, Paraguay.

We’ll see if the USMNT can repeat its stellar effort in Friday’s match with Australia, when it will be forced to enter the crucial tilt without one of its key players.

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This story was originally published June 19, 2026 at 12:34 PM.