Pulisic health in question, as USMNT, Australia set for Group D battle
The United States look to match the Socceroos' mentality and physicality, but despite progress, question remains if U.S. will do so without their star forward.
Good morning! Today’s the day. The United States meets Australia at noon with first place in Group D on the line — both sides arrived in Seattle a perfect 1-0. Overnight, Canada made a statement, Mexico punched its ticket to the knockout round, and Switzerland rolled at SoFi. Let’s get into it.
🚨 HEADLINES
⚽ Today’s the day. The U.S. meets Australia with the top of Group D at stake, and a never-back-down identity carrying the run — as Pochettino has drilled all month.
🏒 Vegas turns the page. John Tortorella won’t be back behind the Golden Knights’ bench — and Steve Carp argues it’s the right call for a standard-setting franchise.
🏀 Thirty and counting. A’ja Wilson was named Western Conference Player of the Week for the 30th time.
⚾ Big words. A young Dodger calling a teammate the best ever is worth unpacking — Fredo Cervantes explains why.
🏈 Unc’s day. Chargers safety Tony Jefferson was honored by his hometown of Chula Vista in a feel-good ceremony.
See what else is trending at The Sporting Tribune.
📋 SCOREBOARD — THURSDAY
⚽ World Cup: Switzerland 4, Bosnia 1 · Canada 6, Qatar 0 · Mexico 1, South Korea 0 · Czechia 1, South Africa 1
⚾ MLB: Athletics 5, Angels 0
⚽ TODAY: USA vs. AUSTRALIA, WITH GROUP D ON THE LINE
It doesn’t get bigger than this for the group stage: the United States and Australia kick off at noon PT in Seattle, both unbeaten, with control of Group D on the table. The Americans opened with a 4-1 dismantling of Paraguay behind Folarin Balogun’s two goals; the Socceroos answered with a 2-0 win over Türkiye. Christian Pulisic, slowed by a calf injury since the opener, is reported “much better” but remains in doubt. Win, and the U.S. seizes the driver’s seat — and a favorable knockout path — with a week to spare.
GO DEEPER
› Pochettino drills American mindset ahead of the Australia clash (The Sporting Tribune)
› Jordan’s defensive posture backfires against Austria (The Sporting Tribune)
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🏒 RYAN CRAIG INTRODUCED AS GOLDEN KNIGHTS HEAD COACH
The Ryan Craig era of the Vegas Golden Knights is officially underway. On Thursday, a day after Craig was announced as the fifth head coach in Golden Knights history, he was introduced to the media by general manager Kelly McCrimmon.
› Derek Hegna: Craig introduced as Golden Knights head coach (The Sporting Tribune)
› Steve Carp: Knights wise to move on from Torts (The Sporting Tribune)
› John Tortorella not returning behind Vegas bench next season (The Sporting Tribune)
⚾ A DODGERS PROSPECT TURNING HEADS
While the big club chases a three-peat, the future is making noise down on the farm. Kellon Lindsey’s strong start at Single-A Ontario is turning heads inside the Dodgers’ system — the kind of early development that keeps a champion’s pipeline humming. Anthony Arroyo has the report from ONT Field.
› Kellon Lindsey’s strong start turning heads in the Dodgers organization (The Sporting Tribune)
📺 WATCHLIST — FRIDAY, JUNE 19
⚽ World Cup: USA vs. Australia — Fox — 12 p.m. PT · Seattle
⚽ World Cup: Scotland vs. Morocco — Fox — 3 p.m. PT
⚾ MLB: Padres at Rangers — 5:05 p.m. PT
⚽ World Cup: Brazil vs. Haiti — Fox — 6 p.m. PT
⚾ MLB: Angels at Athletics — FanDuel SN West — 6:40 p.m. PT
⚾ MLB: Dodgers vs. Orioles — SportsNet LA — 7:10 p.m. PT
⚽ World Cup: Türkiye vs. Paraguay — FS1 — 9 p.m. PT
🎟️ GOING TO A GAME TODAY?
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⚽ World Cup: USA vs. Australia — Lumen Field — $1,438
🌴 TWO-MARKET TRIVIA
The USMNT opened the 2026 World Cup with a 4-1 win over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium. Which American scored twice in that match?
Answer at the bottom.
🎧 THE SPORTING TRIBUNE TODAY
Today’s episode sets the stage for USA-Australia and what’s at stake in Group D, reacts to Canada’s statement win and Mexico clinching a knockout spot, and looks ahead to a weekend homestand for the Dodgers. Hear it on the radio across Southern California and Las Vegas via Westwood One Sports.
› Listen to the latest episode
Trivia answer: Folarin Balogun scored twice in the United States’ 4-1 win over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium.
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