U.S. training resumed in Irvine on Tuesday with 25 of 26 players on the field, but Christian Pulisic worked separately in the gym area while most of the squad went through the session. He was still listed as day to day by a U.S. Soccer spokesman and was due for another modified training session later in the day.
That status matters now because the U.S. is in the middle of its 2026 FIFA World Cup buildup, and every training day is shaping how the team handles one of its key players. The difference between a full session and a modified one is the difference between a normal ramp-up and a hold pattern, and right now Pulisic is still on the cautious side of that line.
There was little sign of concern around the field itself. Friends and family of players were present, and Cristian Roldan’s kids were running around as parents hung around and chatted during training. The scene looked loose and familiar, even with one of the group working on a lighter schedule away from the main session.
That split is the part U.S. followers will watch next. Twenty-five players were available on the field, but Pulisic’s workload stayed limited, which leaves the main question centered on whether he can move from a modified workout to full training before the next session. For now, the team has a clear picture of most of its group and only a partial one of one of its most important names.
