AC Milan and U.S. men’s national team fans will be holding their breaths.
Christian Pulisic left Tuesday’s USMNT 2-1 victory with a hamstring injury, manager Mauricio Pochettino confirmed in his postmatch press conference. Pulisic left Tuesday’s win in the 30th minute after being the victim of a few heavy challenges from the Australian players.
The USMNT star had been key to AC MIlan’s impressive start to Serie A play this season, scoring four goals and adding two assists. Pulisic had also chipped in two goals in Coppa Italia play, earning AC Milan’s Player of the Month award for September.
However, his status for the Rossoneri’s return to domestic play this weekend remains unknown, which could hamper his potential USMNT return for November’s international schedule.
“Pulisic] feels something in his hamstring,” Pochettino said. “Tomorrow he will fly to Italy. Tonight we will reassess. We cannot say [anything else].”
Pulisic was not part of the USMNT’s summer schedule after playing in 50 matches for AC Milan last season. His decision to enjoy a rest period and not take part in the USMNT’s Gold Cup schedule led to heavy scrutiny from former international players and teammates.
The USMNT played in colder temperatures in Tuesday’s match in Commerce City, Colorado compared to last Friday’s fixture in Austin, Texas, while also playing at a different altitude level overall. Pochettino isn’t making an excuse for Pulisic’s injury, but did point out the facts in the different atmospheres of the two locations.
“I think it’s a thing that is a massive risk. I don’t want to say that Christian or if it’s something because, but I think it was really tough for the player,” Pochettino said.
“We know to prepare the game and then to play,” he added. “We got really sad about this [Pulisic] situation because I think it is difficult…I think we’re 20 degrees [Celsius] the difference [between Austin and Colorado] and that can affect your body and everything. That is difficult. But yes, that is a thing that we need to fix for the future when we come from Europe because [the altitude] can affect [things].”
Pulisic will hope for a speedy recovery as AC Milan has five league fixtures before the November international break takes place. They return to the San Siro on Sunday against Fiorentina.
On Wednesday, Sky Italia reporter Manuele Baiocchini said that the news on Pulisic did not appear good.
“The problem with Pulisic seems quite serious,” he said. “We can say that he didn’t get hurt just a little bit.”
Multiple reports that he is out for a month.
He didn’t seem to be limping when he left. I’ve had a couple of hammies before and I was always limping after a pull, so it doesn’t look that serious to me.
The risk is to not come back too soon. The first time I pulled one I took 4 weeks off from running, thought I had recovered and then tried to run a 10K, got through a couple of miles and pulled it again.
Then it took me 6 weeks until I was sure I was okay. I think he needs to just not exercise for 2 weeks with therapy and then see how it feels. Tb be safe he should probably rest at least 3 or 4 weeks before training again cause you don’t want to do it again and have it become chronic.
That is crappy for . . .what . . 45 minutes of time over 2 games . . .ugh
I read an opinion that Neymar has not aged well because he invited contact and fouls because of his dribbling, where Messi and Ronaldo – while getting fouled often – have avoided the same type of hard fouls.
Could it be that Pulisic gets fouled – often from behind or to the side – because he is dribbling too much? He got injured while dribbling in the middle of the field trying to get away from a number of opponents.
you’re putting a bunch of body weight on your leg muscles when you’re tripped but try to stay on your feet while falling over. i did a hammy same way in men’s league after someone professional fouled me with a takeout slide right when in was going to break down the wing.
if there is a silver lining, he might have been in discomfort but he wasn’t walking short steps or in that much seeming pain.
I was thinking similarly watching him walk after. I bet he misses Sunday’s game but then plays 30 minutes in the next one, and then is full 90 after that. Might even play the full 90 in first game after Sunday.