Christian Pulisic to miss USMNT World Cup qualifier at El Salvador

Herc Gomez sees the win of the USMNT against Mexico as a turning point in their Gold Cup win. (1:19).
Is there a power shift between Mexico and the USMNT (1:19).

Christian Pulisic, the star of the United States men's team, did not travel to El Salvador with the team on Wednesday. He will therefore miss the opening World Cup qualifier.

Pulisic is a top American player and is currently recovering from a positive COVID-19 test.

He stated that he was fully vaccinated.

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The 22-year old missed Chelsea's win over Arsenal by 2-0 on Aug. 22 as well as a draw with Liverpool by 1 on Saturday.

On Monday, he resumed training with U.S.

On Wednesday, the U.S. team flew charter flights from Nashville to San Salvador. Gregg Berhalter, the U.S. coach, was scheduled to discuss Pulisic's situation at a news conference in San Salvador later Wednesday.

Brenden Aaronson and Konrad De La Fuente are the most likely to replace Pulisic in the U.S. start lineup.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, World Cup qualifying was delayed by one year.

Due to the delay, the U.S. will play three qualifiers in a FIFA window that was originally designed for two.

Sunday's match will be in Nashville between the Americans and Canada. Honduras will follow on Sept. 8.

Pulisic, who helped Chelsea win the title last year, is the first American to participate in and win a European Champions League final.