Berhalter delights USA fans by hinting that Christian Pulisic WILL be able to start vs Netherlands
‘It looks pretty good’: Gregg Berhalter delights USA fans by hinting that star man Christian Pulisic WILL be able to start against Holland in last-16 World Cup clash, after he suffered an abdominal injury scoring Iran winner
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Christian Pulisic looks poised to start against Holland after USA boss Gregg Berhalter revealed his fitness looks ‘pretty good’ 24 hours out from the game.
The Chelsea forward, and star man of the USMNT, suffered a painful-looking abdominal injury while scoring the winning goal against Iran, and was taken straight to hospital after coming off at half-time.
It is touch and go as to whether he will be fit to start Saturday’s round-of-16 tie against the Dutch, but Berhalter gave a positive fitness update on Friday and hinted that he’ll be on the pitch.
Christian Pulisic suffered an abdominal injury during the USA’s win over Iran on Monday
Pulisic stayed down for treatment and he was unable to celebrate a huge goal for his team
He allayed fears of his injury by posting a picture of himself from his hospital bed shortly after
‘We’re going to see him on the training field today,’ the USA boss began. ‘What I think is, it looks pretty good… but we’re going to see him on the training field today.’
The US finished second behind England in Group B at the World Cup in Qatar, booking their spot in the last-16 of the tournament.
Pulisic’s fitness has been the USA’s major concern ahead of the Netherlands game, with the Chelsea star having started every match so far at the tournament.
He is far and away the most high-profile name in the squad, with his face adorning billboards around the country as World Cup fever continues to spread.
Gregg Berhalter addressed the media on Friday and said Pulisic is looking ‘pretty good’
Both the USA manager (left) and captain Tyler Adams spoke to the media in Qatar today
Immediately after the Iran game, having watched his side qualify for the knockout rounds, Pulisic moved to quell the speculation over his injury by posting a delighted selfie from his hospital bed.
He captioned the picture, ‘So f***ing proud of my guys I’ll be ready Saturday don’t worry.’
Pulisic has been lavished in praise by teammates and media alike since the US qualified for a chance at the quarter-finals.
Speaking after the final group stage victory, captain Tyler Adams said: ‘How many goals has he scored like that in his career?
The United States squad including former Newcastle man DeAndre Yedlin (C) celebrate making it through to the Round of 16, where they will face Holland on Saturday 10am EST
‘I mean, back post arriving, he’s brilliant. The way that his timing is in into the box and to get in front of that ball, he’ll do anything for this team in order for us to win.
‘[He’s a] huge player for us, obviously. Praying for him, hoping everything is OK.
‘But he’ll hang in there. I know he’ll do anything to play in the next game. So we’ll be counting on him.’
