Christian Pulisic is one the world’s best soccer players. Pulisic is from Hershey, Pennsylvania, and is a top player on the United States Men’s National Team in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The Hershey native scored a goal in a 1-0 win over Iran which qualified the United States into the Round of 16.
As Pulisic is scoring goals on a stage as grand as the World Cup, he’s representing not only his country, but also the town of Hershey. Pulisic, 24, has 6.1 million followers on Instagram and has “Hershey, PA” in his bio. It appears he hasn’t forgotten where he’s come from during his illustrious soccer journey.
Christian Pulisic’s early soccer beginnings in Hershey, PA
As a high level soccer player, Pulisic was used to being on the move at an early age. His roots, however, began in PA where he starred as a youngster in Hershey.
Soccer has been in Pulisic’s blood as both of his parents played soccer at George Mason University. Mark Pulisic, Christian’s father, was involved in professional soccer and the family had to move to Michigan and England during Christian’s early childhood. Mark was born and raised in Long Island, New York. His father and Christian’s grandfather, Mate, was a native of Croatia.
After returning to Hershey, Pulisic played on the United States Soccer Development Academy club called PA Classics. As a teenager, Pulisic trained with the Harrisburg City Islanders, a minor professional team in the Hershey area.
Christian Pulisic’s professional soccer journey
Pulisic left Hershey, and the states altogether, when he was 15 to pursue a professional career in Germany.
He was discovered by German scouts in Turkey when Pulisic was 15, and played for the Under 17 United States Men’s National Team. The scouts from German soccer club Borussia Dortmund were present to see one of Pulisic’s teammates, but came away more impressed with Pulisic.
He left for Germany in the summer of 2014 and during the summer of 2015 – at 16 years old – was named to the under 19 team. By 2016, Pulisic made Dortmund’s first team. Pulisic recorded three goals and seven assists in his first full season for Dortmund in 2016-17 at 17 years old.
In 2019, Pulisic made a huge move to the English Premier League to play for Chelsea. Chelsea paid $73 million to Dortmund for Pulisic, which is a record for any American player.
In four seasons with Chelsea, Pulisic has recorded 20 goals and nine assists in 86 games (53 starts).
Christian Pulisic stats with the US soccer team
Pulisic has appeared in 52 games for the United States Men’s National Team and recorded 21 goals and 10 assists.
He’s a top player on the team now, and the USMNT says this about Pulisic on its website:
“Creative, dynamic and lethal, Christian Pulisic is one of the most exciting prospects in recent memory and the world has taken notice of the young attacker’s ascendance with the U.S. Men’s National Team, while becoming a breakout start with German Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund.”
Pulisic was on the team that missed the World Cup in 2018. He scored his first goal for Team USA in 2016 as a 17-year-old. Pulisic is a holdover from the 2018 team with recognizable names such as Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard.
He became the youngest player to appear in a World Cup qualifier, score an international goal and score in a World Cup qualifier. In 2019, Pulisic also became the youngest USMNT player to reach 10 goals at just 20 years old.
Pulisic is a captain for the USMNT.
“I don’t want to be perceived as the future,” he said on the USMNT website. “I want to be seen as the present [and] I want to be known as a leader.”
US FIFA World Cup schedule and results
The USMNT is in Group B along with Wales, Iran and England. Fans can watch Pulisic on the following days during group play of the World Cup schedule:
- Monday, Nov. 21, 2 p.m.: USA vs. Wales
- Result: USA 1, Wales 1
- Friday, Nov. 25, 2 p.m.: USA vs. England
- Result: USA 0, England 0
- Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2 p.m.: USA vs. Iran
- Result: USA 1, Iran 0
With a win over Iran, the US qualified out of Group B to the Round of 16 with five points and will take on Netherlands on Sat., Dec., 3 at 9 a.m.
Christian Pulisic injury update
Pulisic injured himself as he scored the dramatic, deciding goal against Iran. The Hershey native left the game and did not return with a pelvic injury.
Pulisic is planning to play against the Netherlands on Saturday and “looks pretty good” according to coach Gregg Berhalter.
