INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Christian Pulisic returned to the field for the United States on Thursday night, just in time to warm up for the game. world cup The really important games start next week.
Pulisic joins The Americans lost to Türkiye 3-2. He came on as a substitute early in the second half and performed to a soundtrack that drew loud cheers from the packed SoFi Stadium crowd.
He immediately looked comfortable in his first match in 13 days, contributing to some strong attacks and coming very close to scoring shortly after his entrance. Pulisic also had the misfortune of rising star Arda Güler bothering him and flicking the ball between his legs at the start of the sequence that ended with Khan Ayhan’s winning goal. with the last kick of the match.
Losing didn’t matter to the Americans, but the opportunity to prepare for next week was important. The United States will play Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 on Wednesday.
“His goal was to be ready for next week,” U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino said. “I think he has had a positive influence on the pitch, so I’m happy.”
Pulisic was dynamic in the first half of America’s tournament opener. Won against Paraguay 4-1 Almost two weeks ago, he scored one goal and assisted another, but was sent off at half-time after injuring his calf in training.
The AC Milan midfielder missed the next game against Australia and missed the first half against Turkey, coming on as a substitute in the 58th minute to loud cheers from the raucous Los Angeles-area crowd.
Pulisic did not stop to speak to reporters in the mixed zone after the loss, but believes he will be ready when the U.S. seeks its second win in the World Cup finals.
“I felt good so it was really nice to be back in the team and get some playing time,” Pulisic told FOX. “The ball felt good. It was a tough end for us, for sure. But at the end of the day, we won our group. We’re just looking forward to next week.”
Pulisic said this week: he was ready to play againJust a few minutes after the match started at 2-2, he dynamically broke through the left side and created a scoring opportunity.
Pulisic almost scored in the 63rd minute, but his quick shot in traffic was deflected off the post by Turkish goalkeeper Ugurcan Çakir.
“I saw his quality and I knew when he came on and made his impact,” Berhalter said. “He’s one of us. He’s a leader in his own right.”
Türkiye’s second half goal
Pulisic also played a great pass to Ricardo Pepi in stoppage time, but his teammate was unable to get a shot on target. It looked like the Americans were headed for a draw, but Turkey pulled off a special late goal that started with a little magic from Real Madrid’s 21-year-old star Guler.
Packed in a corner by two American players, Guler flicked the ball perfectly between Pulisic’s legs and ran around him, creating the space he needed to start the final sequence. Salih Ozkan played a long cross to Can, and Uzun slotted the ball into space at the back post, slipping it under sprawling goalkeeper Matt Turner and passing it to Ayhan.
Teammates said that aside, Pulisic’s presence energized the American attack and boded well for the next game.
“(Pulisic) is a special player,” U.S. captain Weston McKennie told Fox. “He definitely adds something to the group. He adds one-on-one quality. Whenever the game looks dry or lacks creativity, he can be the player to come in and create something out of nothing. It was great to see him back on the field. Hopefully we’ll see him again in San Francisco.”
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See more of The Associated Press’ World Cup coverage here.
