SEATTLE — U.S. men’s national team star midfielder Christian Pulisic was subbed off in the second half of the team’s 4-1 round of 16 World Cup loss to Belgium due to an apparent right foot injury.
With the U.S. trailing 2-1 at the time, Pulisic was lining up a shot at the edge of the 18-yard box in the 54th minute. Belgium’s Youri Tielemans stepped between the ball and Pulisic’s foot, leading to the American kicking Tielemans’ foot.
After staying down initially following the play to warrant a stoppage, Pulisic attempted to play through the injury but was visibly limping. He was subbed off in the 59th minute after Belgium took advantage of keeper Matt Freese’s blunder to extend their lead to 3-1.
Pulisic was visibly emotional on the sideline after being subbed off. He finished his second World Cup with one assist in four matches.
In the United States’ opening match vs. Paraguay, Pulisic exacerbated a calf injury sustained before the World Cup and came off at halftime. He didn’t return to action until the second half of the team’s group-stage finale vs. Turkey.
His replacement on Monday, Sebastian Berhalter, nearly pulled a goal back for the U.S. and made it 3-2 in the 79th minute with a rocketed shot from the top of the box that narrowly missed wide left of the goal.
–Field Level Media
