USMNT team news: Berhalter gives updates on Pulisic & Sargent ahead of Netherlands clash | OneFootball

On the eve of the USMNT's huge World Cup round-of-16 clash against the Netherlands, head coach Gregg Berhalter has provided a promising update on the fitness of star man Christian Pulisic.

Pulisic was the hero as he scored the only goal of the USMNT's 1-0 win over Iran in the final match in Group B - a result that lifted them into second place to book Saturday's clash with the Dutch.

However, Pulisic injured himself in the process, colliding with Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand. Pulisic was unable to continue and was replaced by Brenden Aaronson at half-time, with Berhalter later revealing his star forward had been taken to hospital.

The Chelsea forward has since returned to the national team setup and though his fitness will be reviewed later on Friday, Berhalter is hopeful Pulisic will be ready to go when Saturday comes.

“Regarding Christian, we're going to see him on the training field today. What I think is it looks pretty good,” Berhalter told reporters. “But we'll have to see him today on the pitch to get confirmation of that.”

Pulisic had described himself on Thursday as 'getting better' while a source close to the USMNT camp has expressed confidence to 90min that the forward will play a big role against the Netherlands.

Fellow forward Josh Sargent also picked up an injury in the win over Iran, landing awkwardly on the ball and hurting his ankle. While Berhalter revealed how hard Sargent is pushing to be ready, he was a little less confident about his chances of making Saturday's match.

“He's another one we're going to test in training, see where he's at,” said Berhalter. “I think with Christian, we're hopeful. I think with [Sargent] a little less so. But we'll see. I mean, he's going to test, he's going to go at this time.

“At this stage, it's go time, and if you can push through it, you do it. So I'm sure he'll have that mindset.”