Ryan Tolmich

The USMNT's second group game will either guarantee that they have a carefree stroll into the knockouts or make for a nervy third fixture.

Mauricio Pochettino says Christian Pulisic's availability for the U.S. Men's National Team's second World Cup match will go right down to the wire as the star winger deals with an injury suffered in the team's tournament-opening win over Paraguay. The USMNT boss said Pulisic will be analyzed by medical staff on Thursday night before a decision is made ahead of Friday's match in Seattle.

With Christian Pulisic's status still up in the air, the USMNT must solve Australia's towering backline, manage the Socceroos' physicality and stay balanced in a crucial World Cup group-stage clash.

The U.S. may be missing a key attacker - could they turn to Reyna to provide the spark needed in the second group stage game?

GOAL takes a look at the big storylines and takeaways in the latest installment of the USMNT notebook.

The Australian media has taken pregame jibes personally, but players aren't falling into the trap set by American pundits

GOAL takes a look at the five best performances by American players at the highest levels of the sport

GOAL takes a look at the big storylines and takeaways in the latest installment of the USMNT notebook.

Christian Pulisic did not join the rest of his U.S. Men's National Team teammates for training Monday, instead completing an individual workout with team trainers. The session came after Pulisic exited at halftime of the USMNT's 4-1 World Cup-opening win over Paraguay after taking a kick to a pre-existing leg injury.

Folarin Balogun’s USMNT story began with fanfare, Instagram sleuthing, and an Orlando recruiting dinner. Against Paraguay, it came full circle as the striker delivered a dream World Cup debut.

Christian Pulisic dazzled, Folarin Balogun delivered and the USMNT made a World Cup statement. GOAL breaks down the winners and losers vs Paraguay.

It was a near-perfect World Cup opener for Mauricio Pochettino's side as they swept away their opponents in a way that will be remembered for a long, long time.

The wait is over. Christian Pulisic and the USMNT open their home World Cup vs Paraguay on Friday, with Chris Richards' fitness and key decisions in focus.

Sergino Dest’s new role, Chris Richards’ fitness and late calls leave Pochettino with big decisions as GOAL projects the USMNT’s World Cup XI.

The defender's status has been touch-and-go, but after training in full this week, Richards is eager to play on Friday

GOAL dives into the summer that changed the sport of soccer with stories from those who lived it

In March, after the U.S. men's national team suffered back-to-back humblings at the hands of Belgium and Portugal, Mauricio Pochettino wondered aloud about the players he had at his disposal. Whether that vocal wondering came from a place of honesty or from a place of motivation, only Pochettino knows. The only certainty was that his assessment was blunt: his team, man for man, wasn't as good as the elite.

GOAL takes a look at the big storylines and takeaways in the latest installment of the USMNT notebook.