Christian Pulisic sought to ease fears over his fitness by saying he will be “ready for Saturday — don't worry” after he was taken to hospital after the USMNT's 1-0 victory over Iran.
The USMNT later said that Pulisic had been diagnosed with a “pelvic contusion” and his “status is day-to-day” ahead of the team's last-16 World Cup tie with the Netherlands.
Pulisic, 24, scored the only goal of the game against Iran. But the Chelsea forward injured himself in the course of scoring the decisive goal and received several minutes of treatment. He was then withdrawn at the half-time interval.
After the match, a United States Soccer Federation spokesperson told The Athletic that Pulisic had been taken to hospital, raising fears he could miss Saturday's round of 16 tie.
The USSF later said: “Christian Pulisic has been diagnosed with a pelvic contusion and his status is day-to-day.
“He was back at the team hotel before the group arrived from the stadium.”
A video tweeted by the USSF later on Tuesday showed Pulisic greeting his team-mates upon their arrival back at the team hotel.
Pulisic had earlier sought to ease concerns over his fitness, however, by sending a Snapchat photograph of himself on a hospital bed along with the caption: “So f****** proud of my guys. I'll be ready Saturday don't worry.”
The Athletic has been told by sources close to the squad that the photograph is real.
Pulisic is a vital player for the United States and was awarded the official man of the match award after the win over Iran, despite only completing half of the match.
After the match, Pulisic's team-mates paid tribute to the forward for scoring the only goal of the game to send the USMNT through.
Tyler Adams, the team's captain, said everybody in the dressing room was “praying” Pulisic would be okay for the match against the Netherlands on Saturday because the USMNT “count on him”.
“How many goals has he scored like that in his career? I mean, back post arriving, he's brilliant the way his timing is into the box and to get in front of that ball,” he said.
“I know he'll do anything for this team in order for us to win. (He is a) huge player for us, obviously we are praying for him hoping everything is okay. I know he'll do anything to play in the next game. So you know we'll be counting on him.”
Pulisic was taken to hospital after the game (Photo: Getty Images)
Tim Weah, who had a second goal correctly ruled out for offside, said: “(This is) a night of dreams. We worked so hard as a group to be in this position.
“Thanks to Christian (Pulisic). We love him and we thank him. It's a great feeling.”
Weston McKennie, the Juventus midfielder, added: “Obviously we're very thankful (Pulisic) threw his body there. But we have 25 guys other than Christian who would do the same thing.
“Everybody is ready to give everything. It's unfortunate he had to come out but the fact he's throwing his body on the line tells you how close this team is.”
The United States will take on the Netherlands on December 3 at 10am ET and 7am PT.
(Photo: Claudio Villa/Getty Images)