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Christian Pulisic

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Christian Pulisic
Pulisic training with Borussia Dortmund in 2017
Personal information
Full name Christian Mate Pulisic[1]
Date of birth (1998-09-18) September 18, 1998 (age 26)[1]
Place of birth Hershey, Pennsylvania, U.S.[2]
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[2]
Position(s) Attacking midfielder, Winger
Team information
Current team
 Borussia Dortmund
Number 22
Youth career
2005–2006 Brackley Town[3]
2006–2007 Michigan Rush[4]
2008–2015 PA Classics[5]
2015–2016 Borussia Dortmund
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016– Borussia Dortmund 74 (10)
International career‡
2012–2013 United States U15 28 (21)
2013–2015 United States U17 34 (28)
2016– United States 21 (9)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of September 29, 2018
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of May 28, 2018

Christian Mate Pulisic (born September 18, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder or a winger for German club Borussia Dortmund and the United States national team.[6][7]

Considered by many to be the top American soccer prospect,[8] he is the youngest player to represent the US senior national team in a FIFA World Cup qualifier. His rapid rise with the U.S. youth national teams has been mirrored by his rapid rise through the Borussia Dortmund academy, where he played just 15 games before being brought into the first team during the 2015–16 winter break.[9]

In April 2016, he became the youngest foreigner to score a goal in the Bundesliga.[10] Later that month, he became the youngest player ever to score two goals in the Bundesliga.[11] On May 28, 2016, a few months before his eighteenth birthday, he scored in an international friendly against Bolivia to become the youngest player in the modern era to score a goal for the United States. On September 2, 2016, he became the youngest American player to score a goal in World Cup qualifying history at 17 years, 349 days.

Early and personal life

Pulisic was born in Hershey, Pennsylvania, where he spent the majority of his childhood. His parents, Mark and Kelley Pulisic, both played collegiate soccer at George Mason University and his father also played professional indoor soccer for the Harrisburg Heat in the 1990s and later became a coach at both youth and professional levels.[12] Pulisic lived in England for a year at the age of seven, playing for the youth team of Brackley Town.[3] When his father was general manager of indoor club Detroit Ignition in the mid-2000s, Pulisic lived in Michigan and played for Michigan Rush. After the family returned to the Hershey area, Pulisic grew up playing for local U.S. Soccer Development Academy club PA Classics and occasionally training with local professional club Harrisburg City Islanders, now known as Penn FC, during his teen years.

Pulisic's grandfather, Mate Pulišić, was born in Croatia on the island of Olib.[13] Pulisic applied for Croatian citizenship after moving to Germany (and the European Union) in order to avoid having to apply for a German work visa. He got an offer to play for the Croatia national team, but declined to do so.[14]

Pulisic has a cousin, Will Pulisic, who has also represented the United States at the under-17 level, as a goalkeeper. In March 2016, he announced that he too would be moving to Borussia Dortmund.[15]

Club career

Borussia Dortmund

Youth teams

In February 2015, Borussia Dortmund signed 16-year-old Pulisic and assigned him first to their U17 squad and in Summer 2015 to the U19. After scoring 10 and assisting 8 in just 15 games with the Dortmund youth teams,[16] Pulisic was called to join the first team over winter break.[17]

2015–16

In January 2016, while with the first team in the winter break, Pulisic played the second half of two friendly matches, scoring one goal and assisting another.[18] On January 24, a day after making his debut on the first team bench, Pulisic played 90 minutes in a friendly against Union Berlin, scoring a goal and assisting another.[19] He made his Bundesliga debut in a 2–0 win against FC Ingolstadt on January 30, 2016, coming on as a second-half substitute for Adrián Ramos.[20] On February 18, Pulisic made his UEFA Europa League debut as a second-half substitute in a 2–0 victory against FC Porto.[21]

Pulisic made his first Bundesliga start on February 21, against Bayer Leverkusen before eventually being substituted for Marco Reus. He made his second Bundesliga start on April 10, against FC Schalke 04 in the Revierderby, playing 73 minutes before being replaced by İlkay Gündoğan. In response to Pulisic's performance against Schalke, team manager Thomas Tuchel said, "He's a teenager in his first year of professional football. His first two games in the starting eleven were in Leverkusen and here today in Schalke – not the easiest of tasks. It shows our huge appreciation that we see him as a full time player on our team. He was a valuable substitute against Werder Bremen and Liverpool. He has looked really good recently which has been proved today. It is completely normal that he could not have played with this pace and this intensity for over 90 minutes."[22]

Pulisic scored his first Bundesliga goal for Borussia Dortmund on April 17, opening the scoring in a 3–0 home win against Hamburger SV. It made him the youngest non-German and fourth-youngest player to score a goal in the Bundesliga, at just 17 years and 212 days old.[10] With his goal against VfB Stuttgart on April 23, Pulisic broke another Bundesliga scoring record by becoming the youngest player to score two goals in the top-flight league. The game also marked his first yellow card in the Bundesliga, as a result of a challenge on Emiliano Insúa.[23]

2016–17

Pulisic during a training session with Borussia Dortmund in Bad Ragaz, Switzerland.

In the 2016 International Champions Cup friendly pre-season tournament, Pulisic scored in stoppage time against Manchester City to send the clubs into penalties.[24] During his first competitive appearance in his second year with the club, Pulisic became Dortmund's youngest player ever to play in the UEFA Champions League.[25] The following weekend he scored his first goal of the season and provided two assists in a 6–0 victory against Darmstadt 98,[26] one day before his 18th birthday. In a September Champions League group stage game against Real Madrid, with Dortmund trailing 2–1, Pulisic came on as a second-half substitute and helped set up André Schürrle's late goal, allowing Dortmund to earn a 2–2 draw.[27] In a substitute appearance on October 22, Pulisic assisted one goal and scored the equalizer against FC Ingolstadt, who were last place at the beginning of the day, to salvage a draw, coming back from 3–1 down.[28]

Pulisic signed a new deal with Dortmund which will keep him at the club until 2020.[29][30]

On March 8, 2017, Pulisic scored his first UEFA Champions League goal in a 4–0 victory over Benfica in the round of 16, making him BVB's youngest ever scorer in the competition at the age of 18 years, 5 months, and 18 days.[31] Pulisic also assisted one of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's goal in the win, advancing Dortmund to the quarter-finals.[32]

2017–18

On August 5, 2017, Pulisic scored the first goal in the DFL-Supercup against Bayern Munich. However, the match finished 2–2 in regulation, with Bayern Munich winning on penalties.[33]

International career

Pulisic has represented the United States at the U-15 and U-17 levels. He captained the U.S. U-17 national team at the 2015 U17 World Cup in Chile, where he had a goal and an assist in three games.[34] Pulisic scored 20 goals in 34 games with the U17's during his two-year cycle with the team.

On March 27, 2016, Pulisic was called up to the Senior team by coach Jürgen Klinsmann ahead of a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying game against Guatemala.[35] Two days later, he made his debut in that match, a 4–0 win at the Mapfre Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, as an 81st-minute substitute for Graham Zusi. He became the youngest American to play a World Cup qualifier.[36] Before appearing in that match, Pulisic had been eligible to play internationally for Croatia.[37]

Pulisic was included on May 21, 2016 in the squad for the United States' hosting of the Copa América Centenario.[38] A week later, he became the youngest player to score for the United States in the modern era, when he put home a late goal in a 4–0 friendly win against visiting Bolivia.[39]

On September 2, 2016, Pulisic recorded two goals and an assist in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification match in a 6–0 victory over Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,[40] becoming the youngest person to score in a World Cup Qualifier for the U.S. and the youngest player ever to score a brace in U.S. history.[41] In the following match against Trinidad and Tobago, he became the youngest American to start a World Cup Qualifier match.[42] On June 8, 2017, Pulisic scored both goals in a 2–0 World Cup qualification victory over Trinidad and Tobago. In the last two matches of 2018 World Cup Qualification, Pulisic scored a goal in each match in a 4–0 victory over Panama and a 1–2 defeat to Trinidad and Tobago to finish the fifth round as the top scorer with five goals. Despite this, the United States failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Style of play

Pulisic is a modern-day number 10. His low center of gravity allows him to dribble at high speeds.[43] Recently, he has played more of a winger role for Dortmund. His adept weak foot skills allow him to play on either side of the field.

Because of his style of play Pulisic is known to be a subject of fouls by opponents.[44][45][46]

Career statistics

Club

As of September 29, 2018[47][48]
Club Season League Cup[a] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Borussia Dortmund 2015–16 Bundesliga 9 2 0 0 3[b] 0 — 12 2
2016–17 29 3 4 1 10[c] 1 0 0 43 5
2017–18 32 4 1 0 8[d] 0 1[e] 1 42 5
2018–19 4 1 1 0 1[c] 1 — 6 2
Total 74 10 6 1 22 2 1 1 103 14
Career total 74 10 6 1 22 2 1 1 103 14

Notes

  1. ^ Includes DFB-Pokal
  2. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  3. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  4. ^ Five appearances in UEFA Champions League, three appearances in UEFA Europa League
  5. ^ Appearance in DFL-Supercup

International

As of May 28, 2018[48]
United States
Year Apps Goals
2016 11 3
2017 9 6
2018 1 0
Total 21 9

International goals

As of October 10, 2017[49]
Scores and results list the United States' goal tally first.
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 May 28, 2016 Children's Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kansas, United States  Bolivia 4–0 4–0 Friendly
2 September 2, 2016 Arnos Vale Stadium, Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4–0 6–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (4th Round)
3 6–0
4 March 24, 2017 Avaya Stadium, San Jose, California, United States  Honduras 4–0 6–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (5th Round)
5 June 3, 2017 Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, Utah, United States  Venezuela 1–1 1–1 Friendly
6 June 8, 2017 Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Denver, Colorado, United States  Trinidad and Tobago 1–0 2–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (5th Round)
7 2–0
8 October 6, 2017 Orlando City Stadium, Orlando, Florida, United States  Panama 1–0 4–0
9 October 10, 2017 Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, Trinidad and Tobago  Trinidad and Tobago 1–2 1–2

Honors

Club

Borussia Dortmund[48]

Individual

References

  1. ^ a b "FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015 List of Players" (PDF). fifadata.com. p. 24. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Men's national team: Christian Pulisic". ussoccer.com. United States Soccer Federation. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  3. ^ a b Ames, Nick (May 31, 2016). "Christian Pulisic: the making of a young man ready to step up". Retrieved August 31, 2016 – via The Guardian.
  4. ^ "Rush Alumni Christian Pulisic Makes Bundesliga Debut with Borussia Dortmund". Rush Soccer Club. RushCanada.com. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  5. ^ "Christian Pulisic". ussda.demosphere.com. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  6. ^ "Christian Pulisic". soccerway.com. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  7. ^ "Christian Pulisic – USMNT – US Mens Soccer Official Site". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
  8. ^ Bird, Liviu. "USA's Pulisic a fast-rising talent at Dortmund". www.si.com. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
  9. ^ Pulisic, Christian. "MLS Soccer".
  10. ^ a b "Christian Pulisic becomes youngest non-German to score in Bundesliga". ESPNFC.com.
  11. ^ "Christian Pulisic scores again to become youngest player ever with two Bundesliga goals". Fox Sports. April 23, 2016. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  12. ^ VICE Sports (November 9, 2016). "Das American: Christian Pulisic's Spectacular Rise" – via YouTube.
  13. ^ "Pulisic makes history as USA beat Guatemala". Bundesliga. DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga GmbH. March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
  14. ^ "Pulisic nikada neće postati Pulišić" (in Croatian). Slobodna Dalmacija. March 31, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  15. ^ "U.S. under-17 keeper Will Pulisic set to join cousin Christian at Dortmund". ESPN FC. March 22, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  16. ^ "Who is US international Christian Pulisic, and how did he make the Borussia Dortmund first team at 17 years old?". MLSsoccer.com.
  17. ^ "Der nächste Schritt für Passlack und Pulisic". kicker online. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
  18. ^ "Christian Pulisic scores in Dortmund win". Soccer By Ives. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
  19. ^ "Christian Pulisic scores second friendly goal of month for Dortmund". Soccer By Ives. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
  20. ^ "American 17-year-old Christian Pulisic makes Bundesliga debut for Dortmund". ESPN FC. January 30, 2016. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  21. ^ "Dortmund deal Porto heavy blow". UEFA.com.
  22. ^ Redford, Patrick. "Christian Pulisic, The Latest "Savior Of American Soccer," Is More Than Just Hype". Screamer. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  23. ^ "Christian Pulisic scores again to become youngest player ever with 2 Bundesliga goals". FoxSports.com.
  24. ^ "Dourtmund vs. Manchester City Recap". ESPNFC.com.
  25. ^ "Christian Pulisic looked great in his first ever Champions League match". FoxSports.com.
  26. ^ "Watch Christian Pulisic score for Borussia Dortmund as the American's hot streak continues". FoxSports.com.
  27. ^ "Christian Pulisic describes Andre Schurrle leveller as 'amazing moment'". Retrieved September 29, 2016.
  28. ^ "Christian Pulisic: Dortmund showed 'good heart' to fight back for draw". ESPN FC. October 22, 2016.
  29. ^ "Borussia Dortmund also tie Christian Pulisic to the club for the long-term". Borussia Dortmund. January 23, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  30. ^ "Christian Pulisic extends Borussia Dortmund deal until 2020". ESPN FC. January 23, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  31. ^ "Christian Pulisic becomes Dortmund's youngest UCL goalscorer". ESPN. March 8, 2017.
  32. ^ "Christian Pulisic scores in UEFA Champions League: details, video". Washington Post. March 8, 2017.
  33. ^ "Miss by Dortmund's Bartra hands Bayern German Super Cup". August 5, 2017.
  34. ^ "FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015 – Matches – USA 2:2 (2:0) Croatia – FIFA.com". FIFA.com.
  35. ^ "Zusi, Pulisic Added to MNT Roster Ahead of Qualifying Match vs. Guatemala, Presented by Liberty Mutual Insurance, in Columbus".
  36. ^ "PULISIC MAKES HISTORY AS USA BEAT GUATEMALA". Bundesliga. March 30, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  37. ^ Straus, Brian (March 29, 2016). "Pulisic cap-tied to U.S. after playing in WCQ". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  38. ^ Floyd, Thomas (May 21, 2016). "Pulisic included as USA unveils Copa America squad". Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  39. ^ "Chicharito and Pulisic chasing records at the Copa America – bundesliga.com". Retrieved August 31, 2016.
  40. ^ "US Player Ratings: Christian Pulisic steals the show in qualifying rout". MLSSoccer.com.
  41. ^ "USA Players Enter Record Book as Team Steps Closer to Hex in 6–0 Qualifying Win at St. Vincent". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  42. ^ "Christian Pulisic becomes youngest U.S. player to start World Cup qualifier". ESPNFC.com.
  43. ^ Shashi (March 28, 2016). "Scout Report on Christian Pulisic".
  44. ^ Carlisle, Jeff (October 5, 2017). "U.S.'s Christian Pulisic 'not going to change' style in face of multiple fouls". ESPN FC. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  45. ^ Blum, Ronald (October 7, 2017). "Americans cry foul after Christian Pulisic takes a beating in World Cup qualifier against Panama". Association Press. Houston Chronicle. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  46. ^ Das, Andrew (October 9, 2017). "When Christian Pulisic Is So Good It Hurts". New York Times. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  47. ^ "Christian Pulisic Player Profile – ESPN FC". Retrieved August 31, 2016.
  48. ^ a b c Christian Pulisic at Soccerway
  49. ^ "Christian Pulisic". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  50. ^ "Altidore, Pulisic Earn U.S. Soccer Player of the Year Awards".
  51. ^ UEFA.com. "Our Champions League breakthrough team of 2016 – UEFA Champions League – News – UEFA.com".
  52. ^ "Christian Pulisic Wins 2017 U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year".
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