World Cup: Berhalter 'hopeful' on Pulisic fitness for last-16 clash with the Netherlands
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USA coach Gregg Berhalter said Christian Pulisic was on the mend and would have to undergo more tests.
PHOTO: AFP
DOHA – United States coach Gregg Berhalter is “hopeful” Christian Pulisic will be fit to face the Netherlands in Saturday’s World Cup last-16 clash, but striker Josh Sargent remains a fitness doubt.
Chelsea star Pulisic suffered a pelvic bruise following a heavy collision while scoring the winning goal in Tuesday’s 1-0 victory over Iran.
The 24-year-old was subsequently substituted and went to hospital after the game for tests.
Berhalter said Pulisic was on the mend and would have to undergo more tests before he is passed fit.
“Regarding Christian, we’re going to see him on the training field today,” he told a press conference on Friday.
“It looks pretty good, but we’ll have to see him on the pitch to get confirmation of that.”
However, there remain concerns over Norwich striker Sargent, who also picked up a knock in the win over Iran.
“With Christian we’re hopeful, with (Josh) a little less so,” Berhalter added.
“But we’ll see. At this stage of the tournament it’s go time. If you can push through it, you do. I’m sure he’ll have that mindset.”
The US advanced to Saturday’s second-round meeting with the Dutch at the Khalifa International Stadium after finishing second behind England in Group B.
Captain Tyler Adams said the American squad had been energised by the support at home, where record numbers of viewers have tuned into their games in Qatar.
According to the Fifa website, the coverage of the Americans’ clash with England was the most watched men’s football match on US television ever, with a peak audience of 19.65 million viewers on Fox.
“The support from the US has been surreal – it’s really cool to see how much a tournament can change the perspective of people watching soccer,” Adams said.
“That was one of our goals coming into the tournament. The further we go, the more support we gather. We want the next generations to come to have that support.”
Captain Tyler Adams said the American squad had been energised by the support at home, where record numbers of viewers have tuned into the USA’s games in Qatar.
Berhalter also said he will look to draw on the lessons he learnt in the Netherlands during his playing career.
The 49-year-old signed his first professional contract with Dutch side PEC Zwolle and also played for Sparta Rotterdam and Cambuur Leeuwarden during an 18-year playing career.
“I learnt so much in Holland,” he said. “It was a great experience being there.
“After every training session and every game, you have a debate with your players about it. People love to discuss soccer and you really learn a lot. And it was a great time for me.
“If I wasn’t in Holland, I don’t think I would have had that background that really helped shape my ideas.”
Berhalter is not the only person in the American camp with Dutch experience. Right-back Sergino Dest was born to a Dutch mother and Surinamese-American father in Almere, Netherlands and played for Ajax Amsterdam from 2019 to 2020. AFP, REUTERS
