United States men’s national team star Christian Pulisic left the Americans’ critical World Cup group stage clash with Iran at halftime after he suffered an abdominal injury while scoring late in the first half and was transported to a hospital for further examination.
The USA talisman suffered the injury in the 38th minute after bundling Sergino Dest’s floated header into the net, giving the U.S. a 1-0 lead. Gregg Berhalter’s team needs a win to advance to the Round of 16.
The Hershey, Pennsylvania, native appeared to collide with Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand as he got on the end of Dest’s flick. He immediately crumbled to the ground, laying flat on the turf clutching his mid-section. He remained down and received lengthy treatment from the U.S. medical staff.
Christian Pulisic comes up BIG for the #USMNT!
(via @FOXSoccer) pic.twitter.com/n9ssGmj5L6
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) November 29, 2022
MORE: USA vs Iran live updates, score, highlights
He seemed to be struggling to even stand, eventually helped to his feet and needing assistance to take steps. However, after being helped to the sideline by the USA training staff, he opted to return to the game.
Pulisic limped around for the first few minutes after returning to the pitch. However, he looked fairly sprightly as stoppage time wore on, even making a dashing run to try to link up with Tim Weah and Josh Sargent towards the end of the half.
MORE: Watch all World Cup 2022 games live with fuboTV (free trial)
However, Pulisic did not return to the field after the interval, with Brenden Aaronson replacing him for the start of the second half.
Christian Pulisic suffers abdominal injury
When Pulisic was withdrawn from the match, U.S. Soccer announced he had been substituted due to an abdominal injury, which makes sense given the nature of the play. Pulisic seemed to take a knee from Beiranvand straight to his stomach.
Halftime Change:
On: Aaronson
Off: PulisicAaronson replaces Pulisic (abdominal injury) at the break. pic.twitter.com/StFaBxD1ol
— U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) November 29, 2022
Berhalter didn’t have any immediate updates to provide postgame. However, per a U.S. Soccer spokesperson, he was taken to a local hospital to undergo scans.
USSF spox: Pulisic with an abdominal injury. Went to the hospital for scans. Not at stadium.
— Sam Stejskal (@samstejskal) November 29, 2022
A few hours later, U.S. Soccer announced that Pulisic was day-to-day with a “pelvis contusion” and that he’s already been discharged from the hospital and was back at the team hotel by the time the rest of the squad returned.
UPDATE: #USMNT forward Christian Pulisic has been diagnosed with a pelvic contusion and his status is day-to-day. pic.twitter.com/abZcjU6tco
— U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) November 29, 2022
Will Christian Pulisic play against the Netherlands at the World Cup?
While there’s no official update of Christian Pulisic’s status for the Round of 16 match against the Netherlands on Saturday, early indications seem to be that he will be ready to play in that match.
According to U.S. midfielder Weston McKennie, Pulisic FaceTime’d the team after the match from the hospital, and claimed he would be ready to play no matter what.
Weston McKennie tells reporters that Christian Pulisic told his team on FaceTime that “you best believe” he’ll be ready to play against the Netherlands on Saturday. #USMNT
— Doug McIntyre (@ByDougMcIntyre) November 29, 2022
Pulisic rejoined the USMNT at their hotel for the night. He shared a post on social media thanking fans for their support, saying, “I’ll be ready Saturday, don’t worry,” referring the the Netherlands match.
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