Pulisic 'looks pretty good' after injury - Berhalter
Gregg Berhalter hopes American talisman Christian Pulisic will be fit to face the Netherlands this weekend, believing he "looks pretty good" ahead of Friday's training.
Pulisic injured his pelvis while scoring the winning goal for the United States against Iran on Tuesday.
The Chelsea striker was substituted at half-time but will be hoping to recover in time to face the Oranje in their round of 16 at the Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday.
While Boss Berhalter is confident Pulisic will be there, he is less optimistic about striker Josh Sargent, who injured his ankle in the win over Iran.
"We're going to see him on the training ground today," he said.
"What I think is that it looks pretty good. But you'll have to see him on the training ground today to confirm that.
"[Sargent] is another one we'll test in training, see where he is. With Christian we're hopeful, with him a little less.
"We'll see. He'll test. At this point, it's time to go. If you can get through it, you do. I'm sure he'll have that mindset."
A surprising element of the US campaign so far has been midfielder Giovanni Reyna's limited playing time.
The Borussia Dortmund man played just seven minutes at the end of the 0-0 draw with England, with Berhalter suggesting the circumstances were not yet right to release the 20-year-old.< /p>
“I think a lot depends on the timing and the circumstances,” he added. If you look at how the games went, we took the lead and had to hold it late in the games.
"The only game where we didn't have that scenario, we actually put it in to help get the win.
"It's just the way we can use him most effectively. He's a really talented player, and we're looking for the right time so he can definitely help this team."
USA are winless in their last 11 World Cup games against European nations (D6 L5) since beating Portugal 3-2 in 2002.
Indeed, they have only won three of their 23 World Cup matches against European teams (D7 L13), also beating Belgium in 1930 and England in 1950.
They come up against a Dutch side who have been criticized for playing uninspiring football in this tournament, but Berhalter doesn't think Oranje boss Louis van Gaal will be concerned.
“I laugh because there are always criticisms of Holland,” he said. “How many coaches are there in Holland? Seventeen million now?
"I heard the same thing in 2014. I remember playing away at Ajax, losing 1-0 at halftime, and Ajax were being whistled because that he only scored one goal.
"I think Louis van Gaal is pretty tough. He realizes his job is to deliver wins. He did that. They are undefeated in the group stage.
"I'm sure he's focused on trying to guide his team to the final. He had a lot of success in 2014 and he has the means to win wherever he goes.
"If I'm part of the Dutch public, I wouldn't care too much, I'd wait and see."
Gregg Berhalter hopes American talisman Christian Pulisic will be fit to face the Netherlands this weekend, believing he "looks pretty good" ahead of Friday's training.
Pulisic injured his pelvis while scoring the winning goal for the United States against Iran on Tuesday.
The Chelsea striker was substituted at half-time but will be hoping to recover in time to face the Oranje in their round of 16 at the Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday.
While Boss Berhalter is confident Pulisic will be there, he is less optimistic about striker Josh Sargent, who injured his ankle in the win over Iran.
"We're going to see him on the training ground today," he said.
"What I think is that it looks pretty good. But you'll have to see him on the training ground today to confirm that.
"[Sargent] is another one we'll test in training, see where he is. With Christian we're hopeful, with him a little less.
"We'll see. He'll test. At this point, it's time to go. If you can get through it, you do. I'm sure he'll have that mindset."
A surprising element of the US campaign so far has been midfielder Giovanni Reyna's limited playing time.
The Borussia Dortmund man played just seven minutes at the end of the 0-0 draw with England, with Berhalter suggesting the circumstances were not yet right to release the 20-year-old.< /p>
“I think a lot depends on the timing and the circumstances,” he added. If you look at how the games went, we took the lead and had to hold it late in the games.
"The only game where we didn't have that scenario, we actually put it in to help get the win.
"It's just the way we can use him most effectively. He's a really talented player, and we're looking for the right time so he can definitely help this team."
USA are winless in their last 11 World Cup games against European nations (D6 L5) since beating Portugal 3-2 in 2002.
Indeed, they have only won three of their 23 World Cup matches against European teams (D7 L13), also beating Belgium in 1930 and England in 1950.
They come up against a Dutch side who have been criticized for playing uninspiring football in this tournament, but Berhalter doesn't think Oranje boss Louis van Gaal will be concerned.
“I laugh because there are always criticisms of Holland,” he said. “How many coaches are there in Holland? Seventeen million now?
"I heard the same thing in 2014. I remember playing away at Ajax, losing 1-0 at halftime, and Ajax were being whistled because that he only scored one goal.
"I think Louis van Gaal is pretty tough. He realizes his job is to deliver wins. He did that. They are undefeated in the group stage.
"I'm sure he's focused on trying to guide his team to the final. He had a lot of success in 2014 and he has the means to win wherever he goes.
"If I'm part of the Dutch public, I wouldn't care too much, I'd wait and see."
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