All of the incredible things Christian Pulisic did before his 18th birthday (today)
Happy birthday, Christian Pulisic. You’re an adult now in the eyes of the American law.
Despite not turning 18 years old until today, Pulisic has accomplished more than, well, a lot of American soccer players, and the past 12 months have been pretty great for the youngster.
Let’s recap how 17 went for Pulisic (aka all the ways in which Pulisic made most of us feel old and unaccomplished):
-He made Borussia Dortmund’s first team and started playing in Bundesliga matches in front of around 80,000 fans at the age of 17 years and 133 days. He was the eighth-youngest player to ever appear in the Bundesliga.
-He followed it up by becoming the youngest player to score two goals in the Bundesliga at 17 years and 219 days old:
"A star is born!" #USMNT's Christian Pulisic scores his first Bundesliga goal for Borussia Dortmund. #BVBHSV https://t.co/tPSnRgHJph
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 17, 2016
-He got his first cap for the U.S. men’s national team and, two months later, he scored his first international goal for the USMNT at 17 years and 253 days old:
-Oh, also? He attended his senior prom the night before he scored that goal because he was still in high school:
-He not only made the U.S. national team roster for Copa America, representing the U.S. in a major tournament, but he played and looked like one of the best players for the U.S. against an overpowered Argentina side, even with limited minutes at his disposal.
-He became the youngest player to ever score for the USMNT in a World Cup qualifier at 17 years old and 349 days against St. Vincent & the Grenadines:
GOOOOOAAAAL!@cpulisic_10 nets a fourth for @ussoccer. 0-4. #Russia2018 https://t.co/ZciAVHb7o0
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) September 2, 2016
-He got his first start for the USMNT at 17 years and 353 days old in a World Cup qualifier against Trinidad & Tobago. At the same time, he became the youngest player to ever start for the USMNT in a World Cup qualifier, beating out Landon Donovan, who did it at 18 years and 184 days old.
-Just this week, he played in the UEFA Champions League and was the youngest American to ever play in UCL, not to mention the youngest player to represent BVB in the competition, too:
Christian Pulisic's Champions League debut is going well. Dortmund are up 3-0 at the half. #UCLonFOX #USMNT https://t.co/e6wleHoaq7
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) September 14, 2016
-On Saturday, the day before his birthday, he scored his third career Bundesliga goal.
Again, he did all of this before becoming a legal adult.
It’s tempting to label him as a prospect or a hope for the next big thing because of his young age. But in fact, Pulisic has already accomplished a lot. Instead of an up-and-comer, he is a player who has arrived and has a long career ahead of him.
So, happy birthday, Christian. May 18 be as much fun to watch as 17 was.
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