Pulisic (calf) out of USMNT's clash with Australia...

United States star Christian Pulisic is out of their World Cup clash with Australia due to a calf injury, with Ricardo Pepi starting in his place.

Pulisic's status has been up in the air all week after coming off at halftime against Paraguay , and the AC Milan forward has been limited in training since. Just before the lineups were announced, manager Mauricio Pochettino confirmed his absence -- but that he is heading in the right direction.

"Christian is not available," Pochettino said.

"The evolution is really well. Today he was training in the morning in the training camp.