SEATTLE -- Christian Pulisic said he was disappointed with himself after his World Cup ended prematurely with injury before the United States succumbed to a 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the World Cup round of 16.
The AC Milan star was forced off with a right ankle injury in the 59th minute and was replaced by Sebastian Berhalter. Pulisic kicked into Belgium midfielder Youri Tieleman's leg as he attempted a shot on the edge of Belgium's area. The referee declined to award a free kick, despite Pulisic going to the ground in obvious pain. Pulisic favored his foot after that and was replaced seven minutes later.
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"I just totally twisted my ankle and my knee in one play," Pulisic said. "I mean, whatever. I have time to rest. It's just unfortunate way to finish."
The injury was Pulisic's second of the World Cup. Following a dynamic first 45 minutes against Paraguay, he battled a calf injury that forced him to miss parts of three games. He finished the tournament without scoring a goal and logged just one assist.
"I felt really good this summer with the guys and I thought my level was high," Pulisic said. "Yeah, it's disappointing. I didn't quite have the moments I was hoping to and to try to help us to really push and get over this next step of beating a really good team.
"I'm disappointed with myself, of course, but I'm going to try to stay positive. I did a lot of good things and the team did as well."
Asked about his departure from the match with ankle and knee injuries, Pulisic said he still had belief that his teammates could rescue the match, but admitted that the injuries were frustrating.
"I trust in the guys no matter what and we believe to the end," he said. "Yeah, it sucked this tournament with one earlier and then another injury now. It sucked. It was tough. It was difficult for me to deal with, but we have a great team and there's so many guys that stepped up this tournament that should be good."
Pulisic cut a frustrated figure at Lumen Field as the U.S. fell to a rampant Belgium side that won thanks to two goals from Charles De Ketelaere and one each from Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku. Malik Tillman recorded the only U.S. tally.
"We were really positive coming into it and there's a lot of things to be proud of this summer for sure, but it's always tough to lose like we did today," Pulisic said.
"I think we put on some really good performances for sure. We made it through our group, quite dominant in fashion, and then we won the game against Bosnia. We can for sure be proud of, but I just think we want to have higher hopes than that. We want to be able to go and compete with some of the best in the world and we just still have that next step to climb, where we are close."
The U.S. showed little of the trademark aggressiveness that propelled it to group stage wins over Paraguay and Australia, as well as round of 32 triumph over Bosnia-Herzegovina. But Pulisic chalked up the USMNT's difficulties to Belgium's well-executed game plan.
"I wouldn't say we weren't as aggressive," he said. "Belgium had a good game plan and they played balls in behind us when we pressed and caused a lot of problems, won a lot of second balls and they were good in the boxes. That's what it comes down to and [they] were clinical."
Pulisic did take time to thank the fans who came out and provided immense support through the World Cup.
"We're grateful that for the support that they gave us this summer, it really felt like they took a step up and just the support behind this, I don't know, it felt incredible," he said. "So those memories all keep with me forever having a World Cup in the U.S. so we're just grateful for that support. "
Pulisic said he would now take some time off and then begin to prepare for the next club season with AC Milan, where he'll have new manager in Ruben Amorim to impress.
"For me, it's just going and spending some time with family and forget about the game for a little bit, of course, try to get a little bit of rest," he said. "We'll be right back in a few weeks going back to preseason and back with the national team, no doubt. There's still a lot more that we want to accomplish."
