The United States men’s soccer team defeated Iran 1-0 Tuesday to advance to the round of 16 in the World Cup.
Winger Christian Pulisic scored the game’s only goal after being set up on a sweet header cross pass from Sergiño Dest. Pulisic crashed into Iran’s goalkeeper during the play and apparently injured his abdomen.
Christian Pulisic scores but pays the price, colliding hard with Iran’s goalkeeper. 1-0 to the #USMNT, and AS OF NOW, the U.S. is going through
(via @FoxSoccer) pic.twitter.com/ZQUKoC7Jfn
— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) November 29, 2022
After the game, Pulisic was taken to the hospital for scans on his abdomen but appeared to be in a good condition and ready to roll for the United States’ next game on Saturday.
Christian Pulisic has been taken to the hospital for scans for an abdominal injury. He appears to be ok! #USA #Qatar2022 via @usmntonly pic.twitter.com/KG7uc7hi7m
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) November 29, 2022
The U.S. victory marks their first round of 16 appearance since the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, according to Fox Sports.
Though American football is much more beloved in this country than soccer, I believe another U.S. victory may begin to change the way people view the sport here. The United States has never won the World Cup championship or even gone to the finals for that matter. Just making an appearance in the final round could open the door for soccer becoming a mainstream sports sensation in the U.S. (RELATED: Qatar Admits That Over 400 Migrant Workers Died Preparing For The World Cup)
It’s a lot of looking forward but in a time where woke propaganda has trickled into our mainstream sports leagues, including the NHL, NBA, MLB, and NFL, I think another popular mainstream sports organization for people to get invested in would be good.
I don’t think the USMNT was anybody’s first choice to win this year’s World Cup but maybe they’ll take their role as underdogs all the way.
Why not us?
Not many people had the New York Jets defeating the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl 3 or the United States defeating the Soviets in what is known as the “Miracle on Ice,” but they both prevailed victorious against the odds. Now, the USMNT has a long, long way to go before making it to the finals but maybe, just maybe, it’s their year to finally have a breakthrough.
The USMNT plays against the Netherlands on Saturday at 10 a.m. E.T.
The sky’s the limit.