Christian Pulisic’s halftime substitution in the U.S. men’s national team’s FIFA World Cup opener on Friday was made as a precaution. Pulisic played 45 minutes in the USMNT’s 4-1 Group D victory over Paraguay before watching the second half from the sidelines. The veteran attacker played a key role in the USMNT’s opening two goals of the first half, being credited with an assist on Folarin Balogun’s first finish of the night to make it 2-0. A kick to the back of the leg on Pulisic though forced head coach Mauricio Pochettino to replace him with Sebastian Berhalter for the second half. Although USMNT fans will be worried with Pulisic’s early exit, the 27-year-old is staying positive that he will be fine going forward. “I just got a bit of a kick in the first half, so I’m really hoping that it’s nothing,” Pulisic said postmatch on Friday. “I’m taking a little bit of precautions today, but I’m hoping I’ll be fine in the next few days. [It was in] My calf area. But I’ve had similar things before, and yeah, I’m staying positive.”Pulisic will have roughly one week until the USMNT meets Australia in their second group stage match in Seattle, Washington. Friday’s result have the Americans sitting top of Group D after scoring four goals for the first time in a World Cup match.