Despite losing star midfielder Christian Pulisic to a possible injury, the U.S. men’s national team defeated Australia 2-1 in a friendly Tuesday in Commerce City, Colo., behind two goals from Haji Wright.
The winner was set up in the 51st minute by the second assist of the match for Cristian Roldan, who sent a quick free kick down the right flank.
Wright ran onto it, cut back and drilled a shot inside the left post.
Jordan Bos put the Aussies ahead in the 19th minute before Wright answered in the 33rd. Wright has seven goals in 20 matches as he made a statement in his bid to make the roster for the 2026 World Cup.
Pulisic left in the 31st minute after Australian defender Jason Geria clipped him on his heel from behind as Pulisic dribbled past midfield. Geria was issued a yellow card.
Pulisic was down for several minutes before walking off under his own power with a slight limp. He headed to the locker room with the training staff. His removal from the match may have been cautionary before he rejoins Italy’s AC Milan this weekend.
There was no update on his condition.
He started after being limited to the final 17-plus minutes in a 1-1 tie with Ecuador on Friday because of an ankle injury.
The U.S. is unbeaten in three matches with a 2-0 win over Japan on Sept. 9 and the draw against Ecuador when Folarin Balogun tied it for the Americans in the 71st minute.
Australia, a 2026 World Cup qualifier, entered with a seven-match winning streak and a 12-match unbeaten run and got the start it wanted when Bos after a set piece took advantage of lax defending.
Three Americans had him surrounded, but the ball dropped to him and he scored to the far netting.
Wright tied it with a toe-poke with his right foot after a Roldan through ball.
The American have two matches left in 2025 when they play two World Cup-qualified teams: Paraguay on Nov. 15 in Chester, Pa., and Uruguay on Nov. 18 in Tampa.
–Field Level Media
