Christian Pulisic says he will do everything in his power to be fit for the United States World Cup round-of-16 showdown with the Netherlands on Saturday.
Pulisic suffered a pelvic injury when scoring the winning goal in the USA s victory over Iran on Tuesday.
The Chelsea forward was substituted at half-time, but hopes to recover in time to take on the Oranje at Khalifa International Stadium this weekend.
A USA team spokesman said of Pulisic s pelvic contusion injury during a press conference on Thursday it s what it sounds like, but the former captain stated: No, but at the same time, it s not.
Like, I didn t get, like, hit in the balls.
He added: It was very painful. You know, that bone is there for a reason, to protect you, I think. And I hit it well. And it was sore, but like I said, I m getting better.
Pulisic continued: I took a knee to a nice pelvis area it was not nice.
I m hoping I haven t had that () moment yet, to be honest. I m hoping it s in front of me.
— U.S. Men s National Soccer Team (@USMNT)
The former Borussia Dortmund man is determined to play his part when the USA go in search of a quarter-final place.
I m gonna go meet now with the team and the medical staff, and make a decision on [training] today, added Pulisic.
Just kinda see how I m feeling, taking it day by day right now. But doing everything in my power to be able to be out there on the field Saturday.
I will do everything in my power to work with this medical team and make sure that I can play.
