The U.S. men's national team officially lists Christian Pulisic as day-to-day for Saturday's Round of 16 World Cup match against the Netherlands in Al Rayyan, Qatar.
But if the hero of Tuesday's 1-0 victory over Iran to advance out of Group B has his way, he'll play.
"(I'm) doing everything in my power to be able to be out there on the field on Saturday," Pulisic said at a news conference Thursday in Doha.
Americans who aren’t usually interested in soccer have watched this World Cup more than ever, and the USMNT’s first qualification to the round of 16 since 2014 had the country hyped.
The Pat McAfee Show wasn't excluded.
The USMNT game and victory against Iran had all of us on the edge of our seat, including those on the set of Pat McAfee.
The Pat McAfee Show is hosted by former NFL punter Pat McAfee in which he, along with other pundits, analyze and cover the latest in American sports news.
DOHA - Christian Pulisic was hailed by his teammates on Tuesday after his first-half strike sent the United States through to the World Cup knockout rounds, with the effort landing him in hospital with a pelvic contusion.
The Chelsea forward burst into the area and bundled the ball over the line in the 38th minute of Tuesday's Group B decider against Iran. But he could not even celebrate the goal as he had injured himself following a collision with Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.
The United States men’s national team triumphed against Iran with a nervy 1-0 victory on Tuesday to clinch a Round of 16 game against the Netherlands. The USA gave American fans several heart attacks along the way, but this is a massive accomplishment for the team.
The USA grinded out a tough one but ultimately came out on top. The magic moment came from none other than Christian Pulisic who put his body on the line to score the game-winner.
The United States held on for dear life and beat Iran 1-0 Tuesday to advance to the World Cup round of 16 while eliminating Team Melli. It looked like it would be a comfortable evening after Christian Pulisic put the U.S. up 1-0 in the 38th minute and with the Americans winning every individual duel on the pitch, but Iran dominated the final 20 minutes searching for an all-important equalizer.
And breathe. The United States has advanced from its World Cup group, finishing second behind England. Their crucial 1-0 win against Iran means their tournament will continue into the knockout round for another game at least.
They won, and they're in
THE @USMNT IS HEADING TO THE KNOCKOUT STAGE pic.twitter.com/AEmmUPUprB
Needing a win over Iran to advance to the World Cup round of 16, USMNT star Christian Pulisic got his first-ever goal on the world's biggest stage to put his nation up 1-0 in the 38th minute.
Weston McKennie got the move started with an excellent ball over the top to Sergiño Dest, and Dest played it across the face of goal to meet the advancing Pulisic.
DOHA - U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter recalled Josh Sargent to his starting lineup for Tuesday's Group B showdown against Iran, who were boosted by the return of first-choice goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand after his recovery from concussion.
Sargent, who started the Americans' opener against Wales, was dropped for Friday's match against England but has regained his spot from Haji Wright up front, while center back Cameron Carter-Vickers replaces Walker Zimmerman.
The United States men’s national team has a simple task on Tuesday. Beat Iran and they advance to the Round of 16. The USA starting XI vs Iran will have to be perfect for the young Americans to extend their stay in Qatar.
We’ve seen small shifts and changes in head coach Gregg Berhalter’s lineups at the World Cup so far. In the Wales game Josh Sargent started at striker but then was switched for Haji Wright in the England game. This was the only personnel change from the first two games.
In the aftermath of the fifth 0-0 draw at this year’s World Cup, the reception has been mixed. The abnormality in this instance is that your location in relation to the Atlantic Ocean seems to determine your opinions regarding the result and the match as a whole.