Christian Pulisic of the United States is helped off the pitch after suffering an injury during the match against Iran on Tuesday.
(Manu Fernandez/AP)
Team USA soccer star Christian Pulisic said he is taking his pelvic injury “day-by-day” ahead of the crucial Qatar World Cup clash versus the Netherlands on Saturday.
“I’m taking it day-by-day for now and I will do everything in my power to work with this medical team and make sure I can play,” Pulisic said during a news conference at US training camp, adding that his pelvic contusion was painful but improving.
Pulisic noted, “I didn’t get, like, hit in the balls, but, like, it’s not like. I’m alright. I’m alright. It was very painful, and that bone is there for a reason to protect you, I think. And I hit it well, and it was sore, but like I said, I’m getting better.”
The 24-year-old team USA forward, also known as Captain America, was taken to hospital due to an abdominal injury he suffered while scoring the game-winning goal for the United States in its?crucial 1-0 win over Iran at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
He was later diagnosed with a pelvic contusion, but was not hospitalized.
Despite his injury, Pulisic was full of praise for the players around him.
“It feels great to be where we’re at right now, but there’s still more to come,” he said.
Pulisic described his confusion after being hurt as he bundled the ball in against Iran in the United States’ final group game, and then his tension as he followed the second half via a trainer’s telephone while receiving treatment.
“It was like the hardest thing. I think they were checking my blood sugar and everything, and I was flying through the roof. But it wasn’t because of anything. It was just me stress-watching the game. But once I got through that and the final whistle blew, I was obviously very happy,” Pulisic said.?
Christian Pulisic laughs during a press conference on Thursday.
(Ashley Landis/AP)
Teammate Timothy Weah, who has also grabbed one goal in Qatar so far, said the United States were not underestimating the challenge against the higher-ranked Dutch team despite the strong start.
“I think we all know that Netherlands is a big team, with a lot of quality players,” he said, adding that he hoped his side were raising the profile of the sport in the United States where basketball, baseball and American football dominate.
“I think everyone back home is realizing that their team has talent. It’s up to us to take it as far as we can go and make a statement.”
CNN’s Kevin Dotson?and?Matias Grez contributed to this report.