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Christian Pulisic isn't just another great American hope - he's already a star
The United States has had scores of would-be superstars fall by the wayside. Freddy Adu is the first name that comes to mind, and he's a pretty spot-on example of a young American who was pegged as the country's first true superstar that never made it. But he's hardly the only one, so when people heap praise upon Christian Pulisic, it's easy to be dismissive. To shake your head. To doubt that he's going to be that different than those before him. After all, he's only 17 years old.
And despite it all, the Christian Pulisic Hype Train is only picking up speed. The excitement is only growing, and for good reason. His performances for the U.S. against St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where he scored two goals to go along with an assist, and Trinidad and Tobago, where he put in a Man of the Match-caliber performance while becoming the youngest American to ever start a World Cup qualifier, were magnificent.
How good was he? Forget Adu or some other flameout. After the match, Tim Howard couldn't help but compare the teenager to Landon Donovan.
"He reminds a little bit of that other guy who used to wear No. 10," Howard said with a smile. "He’s good.”
Pulisic dribbled through the Soca Warriors midfield and put their defense on its heels. They were sending two and three players to stop him, opening up space for his teammates and completely ruining any sort of shape Trinidad and Tobago had. When they left him 1-on-1, Pulisic exposed whoever was in front of him. Whenever Pulisic got the ball at his feet, and notably it was with both feet, he was a danger. It's no surprise that he impressed Soca Warriors manager Stephen Hart.
“He’s dynamic, he can go inside and outside of the player. The goal he set up was a good example," raved the T&T boss. "He dragged the defender inside, then went on the outside of him and played a beautiful ball to the back post."
Jozy Altidore may have had two goals, but it's not hard to argue that Pulisic was the best player on the pitch. It shouldn't be a shock. After all, Pulisic plays for Borussia Dortmund, in front of 70,000 fans and in one of the best leagues in the world. If he can handle that, and even thrive, then it makes the transition to the national team much easier. It just comes with a little something special.
"I think that they both kind of carry over," Pulisic said about going from Dortmund to the national team. "When you play for your country it’s a different type of pride I think, which is great for me. I enjoy it, playing for both teams.”
And that's what makes Pulisic so special. He's playing for both teams. Both senior teams, at a level as high as he can find for club and country.
That's what separates Pulisic from Adu or anyone else. This isn't just a matter of hype, projection or potential. Yes, that's all tantalizing and what has people excited is the prospect of him five or 10 years from now, but Pulisic is good now. Not just good in the sense that he's dominating kids his age either. Pulisic, who is not even a legal adult yet, is playing for the U.S. in World Cup qualifiers and putting on a show. He's playing for Borussia Dortmund and holding his own. At any level, in any match and with any crowd or teammates around him, Pulisic is shining.
With excitement reaching a fever pitch, Klinsmann is doing all he can to keep expectations in check. He doesn't want Pulisic to face too much pressure at such a young age and wants to make sure that the teenager is great for more than a decade, not just right now. But after the show he put on against Trinidad and Tobago, even he couldn't contain his excitement before catching himself.
"I don’t want to give him too many compliments, gotta keep him down on the ground," the U.S. manager joked.
Klinsmann can try all he want, but the Christian Pulisic Hype Train isn't slowing down any time soon. The kid isn't just a star in the making. He's on the verge of being a star right now.
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