Christian Pulisic ‘doing everything’ he can to play against the Netherlands

Svrluga: Christian Pulisic has his moment, and the U.S. survives because of it

Pulisic said he is “feeling better” and was planning to meet with the medical staff before deciding whether to train with the team Thursday night. The training session was closed to reporters.

“Just kind of seeing 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 on Saturday,” he said at a news conference in Qatar.

Pulisic scored in the 38th minute, half-volleying Sergiño Dest’s headed cross from close range just before colliding with Iran’s goalkeeper. The U.S. celebration was muted by concern for Pulisic, who lay flat inside the goal and twisted in distress.

Medical staff rushed to his side and treated him for several minutes. He reentered the game but ran gingerly and was replaced at halftime. While the second half transpired, Pulisic was taken to a hospital for tests.

“It was a crazy kind of experience,” he said. “Obviously the emotions were running so high. I was doing everything I could to continue playing and it was all kind of a blur, to be honest. But then once I was told I was being taken to the hospital, I had to get looked at.”

He said he watched the game on athletic trainer Harris Patel’s phone.

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“They were checking my blood sugar and everything, and it was flying through the roof, but it wasn’t because of anything,” Pulisic said. “It’s just me stressed watching the game. But once I got through that and the final whistle blew, I was obviously very happy.”

After the match, his teammates and the coaching staff communicated with him through a video phone call. Pulisic was already back at the team hotel when the bus returned from the stadium, and he greeted the delegation in the raucous lobby.

In his first World Cup after being part of the squad that missed the 2018 tournament, Pulisic started all three Group B matches and assisted on Tim Weah’s goal in the opener against Wales.

Cindy Boren in Washington contributed to this developing story, which has been updated.