Injuries to Christian Pulisic and Josh Sargent may affect their availability for the Netherlands clash. That game is in the round of 16, giving the US a chance to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.
Both players suffered their bruises in the Iran game. Pulisic is dealing with a pelvic contusion from Alireza Beiranvand. Injury forced the American star to make a half-time substitution, with Brenden Aaronson taking his place on the left flank.
Josh Sargent also left the game as a result of his injury. The Norwich City striker landed awkwardly after a tackle from centre-back Majid Hosseini. Sargent stepped on the ball after Hosseini slid on him, forcing a kind of . Officially, Sargent’s designation is an ankle injury.
Both Pulisic’s and Sargent’s injuries are ‘day to day’, casting doubt on their readiness for the round of 16 clash with the Netherlands.
The effect of Pulisic and Sargent injuries
In his press conference the day before that match, Berhalter provided updates on his two strikers. As for Pulisic, who started and finished both games against Wales and England, he was positive.
While Berhalter neither confirmed nor denied the Chelsea player’s availability, the prospect bodes well for fans.
“We’ll see him in training camp today,” Berhalter told reporters. “What I think is that it looks pretty good, but we’ll have to see it in the field to confirm it.”
For Sargent, it wasn’t so nice. While Berhalter is “hopeful” for Pulisic, he is “a little less” for Sargent. Of course, Sargent only started two of the three group games. In the match against England, Berhalter opted for Haji Wright. However, Sargent made an 83rd-minute substitute appearance for Wright.
The United States begins its playoff day against Louis van Gaal’s Dutch team on Saturday, December 3 at 10 am ET. Coverage is available on FOX.
PHOTO: IMAGO / MexSport Agency
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