At only 18-years-old, Christian Pulisic captivates the soccer universe with his movement on the pitch, and has quickly become a popular name amongst the U.S. Men’s National Team, as they compete in FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Pulisic, who was born in Hershey, PA, currently plays for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga. Dortmund holds the third spot on the league’s table, just behind RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich. The midfielder joined the club in 2014, and moved up to the top U.S. team in 2016.
Last season, Pulisic became the youngest foreigner to score in the Bundesliga at 17. Not only did he set that record abroad, but he also holds the record for being the youngest American player t
o score a goal in a World Cup qualifier, which he also did at 17.
He gained the attention of many with his performance for the US against Honduras. The Americans demolished the Hondurans in a 6-0 victory last Friday at Avaya Stadium, home of the San Jose Earthquakes. The newcomer impressed those in attendance with a goal and two assists. Although he plays abroad now, the midfielder began his growth as a player in the U.S. player-development system.
Coach Bruce Arena believes his move to Germany was a needed one, but doesn’t think that they deserve all the credit for the player Pulisic turned out to be.
"He was going to be a good player wherever he went,” Arena said during a roundtable with reporters. “Maybe that was exactly the perfect environment for him, you could argue that. I don't doubt that. But when he left here he was a good player.”
International play continues tonight as the USMNT faces Panama in the FIFA World Cup Qualification CONCACAF Final Group Stage at 10:05 p.m. EST.