USA Soccer Star Expected To Return For Next World Cup Match

Christian Pulisic's game-winning goal that sent the United States Men's National Soccer Team to the knockout stage raised questions about his availability for the rest of the 2022 World Cup. The USMNT star bruised his pelvic bone after sending the ball into the net, forcing him to leave the match against Iran prematurely.

Shortly after the USA beat Iran Tuesday, Pulisic was optimistic about his chances to play in the Round of 16. On the eve of the team's match with the Netherlands in the Round of 16, Pulisic remains on track to play Saturday.

"We're going to see him on the training field today," USA manager Gregg Berhalter said at a news conference Friday. "What I think is, it looks pretty good, but we'll have to see him today on the pitch to get confirmation of that."

It's safe to say that the USA wouldn't have advanced beyond group play had it not been for Pulisic. The 24-year-old assisted the USA's lone goal in a 1-1 draw with Wales. After the USA played to a scoreless tie with England in its second World Cup match, the Americans needed a win over Iran in order to reach the Round of 16.

Pulisic finished the first half against Iran but wasn't able to take the field in the second half. Without the midfielder, the USA held off Iran to clinch its third knockout stage appearance since 2010.

The expectation is that Pulisic will play Saturday, though he might not be healthy enough to stay on the field for the entire match.

"I'm going to do everything in my power, with this staff and medical team, to make sure that however long I can be out on that field, I'll be out there giving my 110% no matter what," Pulisic told ESPN's Sam Borden.

"Because I owe it to this game, I owe it to this team, I owe it to the country back home. I'm going to do everything I can."

If the USA beats the Netherlands, it will take on either Argentina or Australia in the quarterfinals on Friday, Dec. 9.