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United States forward Christian Pulisic could only watch from the bench as Belgium extinguished his team's World Cup bid, ending a tournament in which the American star was hobbled by injuries and largely ineffective.
The most accomplished U.S. striker, Pulisic was held scoreless in his second World Cup. He has 33 goals in 90 international appearances but has scored just once in eight World Cup games — against Iran in the group stage in 2022.
For the second time in this World Cup, Pulisic left a match in the second half with an injury, leaving Monday's 4-1 loss to Belgium after twisting his right ankle when he extended for a shot attempt and hit the boot of Belgium captain Youri Tielemans in the 52nd minute.
After spending a few moments lying on the pitch, Pulisic began favoring the foot and was replaced in the 59th by Sebastian Berhalter with the U.S. trailing 3-1.
Having to come out of the game was "difficult for me to deal with," he said.
"I felt really good this summer with the guys and I thought my level was high," Pulisic said. "It’s disappointing I didn’t quite have the moments I was hoping to and to try to help us to get over this next step of beating a really good team."
(Photo by John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images)
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino said after the game he hoped Pulisic's injury was nothing serious and that Pulisic would be able to reintegrate with his club, AC Milan. Players typically get 21 days off after the end of the World Cup before having to report to their clubs.
Pulisic was slowed by a calf injury during the group stage. After a sparkling first half in the first U.S. game, a 4-1 victory over Paraguay, he sat for the rest of the match due to stiffness from a calf injury incurred in training.
(Photo by Jared C. Tilton - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
He sat out the Americans' win over Australia before entering as a substitute in the group-stage loss to Turkey. Pulisic returned to the starting lineup for the Americans' 2-0 win against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32.
He said Monday he will "try and stay positive," adding: "I did a lot of good things and the team did as well."
"He's going to bounce back," American defender Alex Freeman said. "He's a great player and a person that's always going to fight."
United States Press Conference: Mauricio Pochettino on Round of 16 Loss vs Belgium
Reporting by The Associated Press.
- USMNT Lineup vs. Belgium: Folarin Balogun Starts In Unchanged Starting XI How to Watch USA vs. Belgium: TV Channel, Live Stream, Time USA vs. Belgium: Storylines, Lineup, Predictions For World Cup Game
- USA-Belgium Is The World Cup Game Mauricio Pochettino Was Hired To Win Scouting USA vs. Belgium: 2022 World Cup Defender Previews Round Of 16 Clash Why Folarin Balogun Can Play For USA vs. Belgium Despite Red Card
- 'USA vs. The World': Lalas Thinks Balogun Decision Puts Target On Americans' Back Who Is The USA vs. Belgium Referee? Meet Adham Makhadmeh USA Star Folarin Balogun Cleared To Play In World Cup Match vs. Belgium
FIFA Denies Belgium Appeal On USA Star Folarin Balogun's Eligibility
- USMNT Lineup vs. Belgium: Folarin Balogun Starts In Unchanged Starting XI How to Watch USA vs. Belgium: TV Channel, Live Stream, Time USA vs. Belgium: Storylines, Lineup, Predictions For World Cup Game
- USA-Belgium Is The World Cup Game Mauricio Pochettino Was Hired To Win Scouting USA vs. Belgium: 2022 World Cup Defender Previews Round Of 16 Clash Why Folarin Balogun Can Play For USA vs. Belgium Despite Red Card
- 'USA vs. The World': Lalas Thinks Balogun Decision Puts Target On Americans' Back Who Is The USA vs. Belgium Referee? Meet Adham Makhadmeh USA Star Folarin Balogun Cleared To Play In World Cup Match vs. Belgium
Source: Fox Sports
