American star Christian Pulisic says he didn’t ‘get hit in the balls,’ remains ‘day-to-day’
Christian Pulisic answered a major question the world had to know on Thursday ahead of the United States’ massive Round of 16 matchup with the Netherlands.
“I didn’t, like, get hit in the balls,” the American star midfielder said of his collision with Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand on the play where he scored the winning goal that put the U.S. through to the knockout stage of the World Cup.
“I’m alright. It was very painful, it’s just, that bone is there for a reason, to protect you. It was sore. Like I said, I hit it well.”
The question on whether the 24-year-old will play in Saturday’s match is still unanswered. He said on Thursday that he is still “day-to-day” with the pelvic contusion that forced him off at halftime of the win over Iran. He was scheduled to meet with the U.S. training staff after his media session on Thursday prior to the U.S. training session at 8 p.m. Qatari time (Noon ET), which was closed to the media.
Pulisic sent the Americans to the next round with the 38th-minute goal where he scored off a spectacular header from Sergino Dest off a pass into the right side of the box from Weston McKennie. Pulisic laid on the ground for several moments in obvious pain. He returned to the match to finish the first half before going to the hospital at halftime.
“I saw Weston play a great ball over the top and the chance was there just to beat the defender to the ball,” he said. “I was just able to do that and, you know, paid the price for it a bit, took a knee, you can see the video, to a nice pelvis area — actually, it was not nice. Obviously very painful, but, yeah, feeling better.”
Pulisic had to watch the finish from his hospital bed, where the U.S. had to stave off a furious push from Iran.
“It was like the hardest thing. They were checking my blood [pressure] and everything and it was flying through the roof, but it wasn’t because of anything, it was just me stressed watching the game. But once I got through that and the final whistle blew, I was obviously very happy.”
The team FaceTimed with him immediately after the game. Pulisic was released from the hospital and made it to the team hotel in time to greet his teammates upon their celebratory arrival.
The update on striker Josh Sargent is similar to Pulisic in that the 22-year-old is day-to-day with a sore right ankle.
In both situations, it doesn’t behoove the U.S. to give more definitive timelines for Pulisic and Sargent as the Dutch will need to prepare for them whether they play or not.
Pulisic is ecstatic over the Americans’ tournament thus far.
“To get out of the group is an unbelievable accomplishment,” Pulisic said. “As far as myself, I’m happy with the performances. To score a goal and help the team in any way I can is what I’m here to do. I want to make big plays and want to do what I can to help this team, but I by no means want that to be the only thing I look back on from this tournament. There’s still a lot to come from this team and myself.”
With News Wire Services
