Advertisement

A 17 year-old American soccer prospect scored his first goal for one of Germany's best teams

Move over, Julian Green. U.S. soccer has a new young prospect to pin its hopes on. His name is Christian Pulisic. He’s a 17 year-old from Pennsylvania playing for one of Germany’s premier clubs, Borussia Dortmund.

Pulisic has gotten some first-team burn in the last few weeks and has impressed in those appearances. Making his third Bundesliga start on Sunday, Pulisic scored his first league goal against Hamburg.

This isn’t the typical goal we’re used to seeing Americans scoring. Pulisic uses deft movement and a delicate first touch to afford himself just a sliver of space in the box, and the finish is clinical.

He threw in a post-goal dab for good measure.

Pulisic is starting to build some up good momentum for Dortmund, having put together another impressive display last weekend against Schalke.

Pulisic would fill a role the U.S. Men’s National Team has never really had: A creator playing in the middle of the formation. Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley have all attempted to play the part but are most comfortable in other positions.

Goal scoring isn’t really Pulisic’s biggest strength. He’s more likely to set up a teammate for a shot than to take one himself. He’ll change positions and find pockets of space, making it all the more difficult for defenses to track him. The USMNT has always tended to play statically, trading industry for guile in hopes of outmuscling or outworking opponents.

We could see more of Pulisic this summer when the United States participates in Copa America against top South American sides. Jurgen Klinsmann has never shied away from picking younger players in big tournaments, and Pulisic has shown he can perform against top-level competition.

More Soccer