17 year old from Hershey PA might be the next US superstar in soccer

[Judge Smails]

Christian Pulisic's rapid ascent at one of the best clubs in the entire world has U.S. fans, and those at Borussia Dortmund, rightfully excited about the bright future of this 17-year-old American who just became the youngest player ever to score a goal in the Bundesliga who wasn't born in Germany.

Pulisic has impressed at nearly every opportunity, leaving fans in Germany (nearly) as excited as those in the U.S. about this well-grounded young man (raised by a mom and dad who were both soccer players at George Mason University.)

Last week, Pulisic started at Schalke 04 in Germany's biggest rivalry, the Ruhr derby, and after Dortmund's three-goal collapse at Liverpool last Thursday -- Dortmund’s only loss in 20 games during 2016 -- Sunday’s emphatic rebound was crucial.

Pulisic answered the bell in his third start, playing 90 minutes for the first time, and scoring his first goal in his first ever start at the Westfalenstadion.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

Christian Pulisic's rapid ascent at one of the best clubs in the entire world has U.S. fans, and those at Borussia Dortmund, rightfully excited about the bright future of this 17-year-old American who just became the youngest player ever to score a goal in the Bundesliga who wasn't born in Germany.

Pulisic has impressed at nearly every opportunity, leaving fans in Germany (nearly) as excited as those in the U.S. about this well-grounded young man (raised by a mom and dad who were both soccer players at George Mason University.)

Last week, Pulisic started at Schalke 04 in Germany's biggest rivalry, the Ruhr derby, and after Dortmund's three-goal collapse at Liverpool last Thursday -- Dortmund’s only loss in 20 games during 2016 -- Sunday’s emphatic rebound was crucial.

Pulisic answered the bell in his third start, playing 90 minutes for the first time, and scoring his first goal in his first ever start at the Westfalenstadion.

Great that the senior side got him his cap last month as well.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Great close control, very quick - reminds me in some ways of a slighter Eden Hazard. These are the types of kids we need to take the next step

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Pulisic scores his 2nd in 3 BL starts

https://www.google.com/amp/www.star...-dortmund-stuttgart-highlights?client=safari#

 

[21Guns]

Jesus could those Krauts have possibly been less excited for the kid? They just don't like it when we do ANYTHING good in their sport, Europe that is.

 

[fairgambit]

Christian Pulisic's rapid ascent at one of the best clubs in the entire world has U.S. fans, and those at Borussia Dortmund, rightfully excited about the bright future of this 17-year-old American who just became the youngest player ever to score a goal in the Bundesliga who wasn't born in Germany.

Pulisic has impressed at nearly every opportunity, leaving fans in Germany (nearly) as excited as those in the U.S. about this well-grounded young man (raised by a mom and dad who were both soccer players at George Mason University.)

Last week, Pulisic started at Schalke 04 in Germany's biggest rivalry, the Ruhr derby, and after Dortmund's three-goal collapse at Liverpool last Thursday -- Dortmund’s only loss in 20 games during 2016 -- Sunday’s emphatic rebound was crucial.

Pulisic answered the bell in his third start, playing 90 minutes for the first time, and scoring his first goal in his first ever start at the Westfalenstadion.

The kid is from Hershey? I know a crazy lawyer from Hershey. He's a nut in the Hershey bar.

 

[tgar]

Jesus could those Krauts have possibly been less excited for the kid? They just don't like it when we do ANYTHING good in their sport, Europe that is.

Pretty sure the game was being played in Stuttgart and Pulisic is playing for Dortmund. Home team down 2/0. I wouldn't expect a lot of cheering either.

 

[21Guns]

Pretty sure the game was being played in Stuttgart and Pulisic is playing for Dortmund. Home team down 2/0. I wouldn't expect a lot of cheering either.

I was referring to his own teammates. They weren't exactly swarming him.

 

[Sandinista!]

It is the end of the season and a meaningless game so I am sure that had something to do with it.

That being said, it is hard to understate what a big deal a 17 year old is starting for Dortmund, garbage time or not. That fact that he is American makes it all the more remarkable.

 

[SUPERTODD]

Great close control, very quick - reminds me in some ways of a slighter Eden Hazard. These are the types of kids we need to take the next step

He is incredibly fast. Played pickup with him when he was 12 and I was 35. Watched him run by professional players like they were standing still. Watched him a few weeks ago against Schalke and he was running by Schalke's RB the same way. In the BUNDESLIGA!

The family moved with him to Germany. His father has a job in the Dortmund system coaching one of the youth teams. They really made a smart decision. There was interest from teams all over Europe, including Barca, where he had trained when he was younger, but the family selected one of the best teams at developing young talent in the world.

 

[sammyk]

That is great but it still just soccer

 

[Judge Smails]

That is great but it still just soccer

Why did you feel the need to post that?

Ignore is a great feature.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

That is great but it still just soccer

You mean the most popular sport on the planet, by a wide margin. Good call.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Christian Pulisic's rapid ascent at one of the best clubs in the entire world has U.S. fans, and those at Borussia Dortmund, rightfully excited about the bright future of this 17-year-old American who just became the youngest player ever to score a goal in the Bundesliga who wasn't born in Germany.

Pulisic has impressed at nearly every opportunity, leaving fans in Germany (nearly) as excited as those in the U.S. about this well-grounded young man (raised by a mom and dad who were both soccer players at George Mason University.)

Last week, Pulisic started at Schalke 04 in Germany's biggest rivalry, the Ruhr derby, and after Dortmund's three-goal collapse at Liverpool last Thursday -- Dortmund’s only loss in 20 games during 2016 -- Sunday’s emphatic rebound was crucial.

Pulisic answered the bell in his third start, playing 90 minutes for the first time, and scoring his first goal in his first ever start at the Westfalenstadion.

Not trying to be a smart ass but.....who were the previous 'US superstars'? Howard is really the only one I can think of, and even then I think he's proven to be a good, but not great player. This kid I think has a chance to be special in a way no other US players have (save the women)....

 

[Judge Smails]

Not trying to be a smart ass but.....who were the previous 'US superstars'? Howard is really the only one I can think of, and even then I think he's proven to be a good, but not great player. This kid I think has a chance to be special in a way no other US players have (save the women)....

Landon Donovan?

 

[Cletus11]

Freddy Adu. He was 13 but really 18.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Landon Donovan?

Was Donovan an international star? I know he was big here and probably the best US player ever. Quick search of his Wiki shows a total of 8 goals in international play (52 games). Seems like this kid could easily surpass that.

Freddy Adu. He was 13 but really 18.

Adu never lived up to the hype though did he? He was a star based on his potential though he did well for the US/17 team.

 

[manatree]

Jesus could those Krauts have possibly been less excited for the kid? They just don't like it when we do ANYTHING good in their sport, Europe that is.

Borussia only had four Germans in the game when he scored, not that you would care to know. Although almost anything that gets your panties in a twist, is a good thing as far as I'm concerned.

He was the youngest foreigner to score a goal in the Bundesliga. Nuri Şahin, a Turkish player born in Germany, is the youngest. Pulisic is now the youngest player to score two goals in the Bundesliga.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

Reyna had a good lonoverseas career.

Not trying to be a smart ass but.....who were the previous 'US superstars'? Howard is really the only one I can think of, and even then I think he's proven to be a good, but not great player. This kid I think has a chance to be special in a way no other US players have (save the women)....

Reyna had a long productive career in Europe.

 

[Evan Ceg]

Why isn't this kid forced to attend college in the U.S. like football and basketball players?

 

[Sandinista!]

Not trying to be a smart ass but.....who were the previous 'US superstars'? Howard is really the only one I can think of, and even then I think he's proven to be a good, but not great player. This kid I think has a chance to be special in a way no other US players have (save the women)....

Dempsey was a legit star. He was a top five scorer in the EPL one year at Fulham and did that from midfield.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Dempsey was a legit star. He was a top five scorer in the EPL one year at Fulham and did that from midfield.

Ok - he's one...

 

[Grant Green]

That is great but it still just soccer

I'll never understand why some people get pleasure from shitting on something that others enjoy. It immediately tells me that the person is generally a loser in life.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

I'll never understand why some people get pleasure from shitting on something that others enjoy. It immediately tells me that the person is generally a loser in life.

Remember Fun160 (aka Penn State Clips). RIP but what a PITA he was about soccer.

 

[Grant Green]

Remember Fun160 (aka Penn State Clips). RIP but what a PITA he was about soccer.

Yes. Very douchy but that was par the course for him. Thoughts and prayers to his family.

 

[BobPSU92]

Not trying to be a smart ass but.....who were the previous 'US superstars'? Howard is really the only one I can think of, and even then I think he's proven to be a good, but not great player. This kid I think has a chance to be special in a way no other US players have (save the women)....

With Pulisic playing in Germany, I wonder how much attention he will draw in the U.S. His is a great story and could be inspirational to kids in the U.S., if they hear about him.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

With Pulisic playing in Germany, I wonder how much attention he will draw in the U.S. His is a great story and could be inspirational to kids in the U.S., if they hear about him.

Kids today have all access to European football.

 

[novaclassof90]

Brian McBride had a good run at Fulham. Reyna and Tab Ramos both played for a long time in Europe. Dempsey scored a lot of goals in the EPL. Steve Cherundolo has played over there for a long time. Friedel and Keeler were mainstays in the goal for their English sides. Altidore had a decent career over there. Plenty of US guys who have succeeded in Euro leagues.

 

[Raffycorn]

Pulisic is certainly well ahead of any other American at his age - in fact, what he's achieving right now at this level is on par with the best young talents in the world. There are a number of Americans who have had success in European leagues, but none have done it as early as Pulisic is right now. He's a 17 year old getting legitimate run in legitimate minutes with one of the best club teams in the world - and doesn't look out of place. That would raise eyebrows regardless of nationality. It's difficult to get fully hyped about a 17 year old given the number of unknowns, but he's performing at a level that we haven't seen in the history of American soccer.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Brian McBride had a good run at Fulham. Reyna and Tab Ramos both played for a long time in Europe. Dempsey scored a lot of goals in the EPL. Steve Cherundolo has played over there for a long time. Friedel and Keeler were mainstays in the goal for their English sides. Altidore had a decent career over there. Plenty of US guys who have succeeded in Euro leagues.

Yeah, but 'Superstars'? Sorry - not trying to be cynical or anything, but to me those guys just had nice runs and/or decent careers. Would be nice to see some kid in Germany wearing this kid's kit is all....

 

[ptomaselli]

Giuseppe Rossi born in Teaneck NJ was a star in La Liga for Villareal...across La Liga and Serie A he has 80+ goals. Of course that was short lived as I think he's had multiple serious knee injuries since then. Plus, he really has no US fans since he decided to cap for Italy. Right now, he's trying to make his way back with Levante in La Liga.

 

[manatree]

Yeah, but 'Superstars'? Sorry - not trying to be cynical or anything, but to me those guys just had nice runs and/or decent careers. Would be nice to see some kid in Germany wearing this kid's kit is all....

You mean like 17 year old Felix Passlack? Is he German enough for you?

Pulisic quickly proved to be one of BVB's top prospects simce he arrived. He was also aided by being able to file for Croatian citizenship or else he wouldn't have been able to play for pay until he was 18. Fellow American BVB prospect Junior Flores not only had to wait until he was 18, it took him another year to get the proper work permits and he essentially missed a year of play.

Bottom line is that Dortmund is a top team in the Bundesliga and they're going to promote and players based on skill.

 

[manatree]

With Pulisic playing in Germany, I wonder how much attention he will draw in the U.S. His is a great story and could be inspirational to kids in the U.S., if they hear about him.

While I doubt the Bundesliga will ever attain the level of exposure that the EPL gets here in the States, it is much easier to follow now than ever. Fox has both the TV and online streaming, TuneIn Radio carries all the games and there is more English language online coverage, podcasts, etc. It's out there if the kids want to find it. However, I've always felt that USA Soccer has done a piss poor job promoting their players abroad.

 

[Raffycorn]

While I doubt the Bundesliga will ever attain the level of exposure that the EPL gets here in the States, it is much easier to follow now than ever. Fox has both the TV and online streaming, TuneIn Radio carries all the games and there is more English language online coverage, podcasts, etc. It's out there if the kids want to find it. However, I've always felt that USA Soccer has done a piss poor job promoting their players abroad.

I know I'm able to watch Bundesliga games every week on FS1 - I'm usually busy on weekend mornings this time of year, but I tuned in just the other week specifically to catch Pulisic play in the Derby.

I suspect that Pulisic will get a decent bit of run with the USMNT this summer in the Copa America - and, if that happens, I suspect we'll see US Soccer as an establishment begin to promote him more.

 

[sammyk]

No doing fine and soccer is what we got when we won the cold war

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

You mean like 17 year old Felix Passlack? Is he German enough for you?

Pulisic quickly proved to be one of BVB's top prospects simce he arrived. He was also aided by being able to file for Croatian citizenship or else he wouldn't have been able to play for pay until he was 18. Fellow American BVB prospect Junior Flores not only had to wait until he was 18, it took him another year to get the proper work permits and he essentially missed a year of play.

Bottom line is that Dortmund is a top team in the Bundesliga and they're going to promote and players based on skill.

I meant would be nice for Pulisic to get 'famous' enough for him to have a bunch of fans in Germany and the U.S....