Greg Berhalter talks Pulisic fitness ahead of USMNT's clash with Netherlands
Doha, Qatar - Gregg Berhalter thinks star player Christian Pulisic "looks pretty good" fitness-wise ahead of the USMNT's huge last 16 game against the Netherlands on Saturday in the World Cup.
![USMNT head coach Greg Berhalter speaking at a press conference on Friday.](https://media.tag24.de/951x634/d/g/dgvrtz4g3bewtpa7drkywz4v22vlweom.jpg)
Pulisic suffered a pelvic injury when scoring the winning goal in the US's victory over Iran on Tuesday.
The Chelsea forward was substituted at half-time, but hopes to recover in time to take on the Dutch in their clash at Khalifa International Stadium.
While Berhalter is confident Pulisic will feature, he is less optimistic about forward Josh Sargent, who injured his ankle in the win over Iran.
"We're going to see him (Pulisic) on the training field today," he said.
"What I think is it looks pretty good. But we're going to have to see him on the training pitch today to get confirmation of that."
"(Sargent) is another one we're going to test in training, see where he's at. With Christian, we're hopeful. With him, a little less so."
"We'll see. He's going to test. At this stage, it's go time. If you can push through it, you do. I'm sure he'll have that mindset."
Berhalter's big selection decisions
![Christian Pulisic is racing to be fit for the USMNT's game against the Netherlands.](https://media.tag24.de/951x634/k/f/kfxilkkhdqoflq6q06l1an0aqqd54v3h.jpg)
A surprise element of the US's campaign so far has been the limited playing time for midfielder Giovanni Reyna.
The Borussia Dortmund man featured for just seven minutes at the end of the 0-0 draw with England, with Berhalter suggesting the circumstances have not yet been right to unleash the 20-year-old.
"I think a lot of it comes down to timing and circumstances," he added. "If you look at how the games unfolded, we've had the lead and had to hold onto the lead late in the games."
"The only game we didn't have that scenario, we actually put him in to help get the victory."
"It's just how we can use him in the most effective way. He's a really talented player, and we're looking for the right moment he can no doubt help this team."
The Americans are winless in their last 11 World Cup games against European nations (0-6-5) since beating Portugal 3-2 in 2002.
Another big question is whether Berhalter will stick with Celtic center back Cameron Carter-Vickers, who impressed against Iran, or restore the previously undroppable Walker Zimmerman to the lineup.
Which ever defense he picks, it will come up against a Netherlands side that has been criticized for playing uninspiring football in this tournament. But Berhalter doesn't think his counterpart Louis van Gaal will be concerned.
"I think Louis van Gaal has tough enough skin. He realizes his job is to deliver wins. He's been doing that. They're undefeated in the group stage. I'm sure he's focused on trying to guide his team to the final. He was very successful in 2014, and he has a way to win wherever he goes."
Cover photo: REUTERS