By Mike Woitalla
The trajectory of Christian Pulisic’s career has been unprecedented for a young American — and impressive by any standard. Still only 18years old while entering his third Bundesliga season, Borussia Dortmund’s personnel issues will present opportunities — and add pressure.
(Photo courtesy of Borussia Dortmund.)
Pulisicstarted 20 of the 43 competitive games he played in during the 2016-17 season. Going into to Saturday’s 2017-18 Bundesliga opener, such is the BVB injury situation and uncertainty aboutBarcelona target Ousmane Dembele that Pulisic has become increasingly important to Dortmund’s quest to unseat perennial champion Bayern Munich.
At least BVBdoesn’t have to fret over Pulisic’s loyalty to the club, as has been the case with Dembele, whom it suspended for missing practice during the Barcelona negotiations.
“I amvery happy in Dortmund,” Pulisic told
“In the past season, inDortmund I established myself with a top European club, which was by boyhood dream. My next goal is to play consistently.”
In 2016-17, Pulisic scored five goals and assisted 13 times. Hestarted 15 of the 29 Bundesliga games he appeared in, four of the 10 UEFA Championship League games, and one of four German Cup games. He came on as a halftime sub in the German Cup final and drew thepenalty kick that led to the winning goal of a 2-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt.
In the first competitive game of the 2017-18 season, he scored in BVB’s German Super Cup 2-2 tie withBayern Munich in the 12th minute, before BVB fell on PKs.
On Wednesday camethe news that André Schürrle, the winger who assisted on Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning goal, will be out with a thigh injury for a month. MarcoReus remains sidelined with the knee ligament injury suffered in the German Cup final. Mario Goetze, whoscored the World Cup winner, is back after an illness that sidelined him for five months last season, but he is not so suited for the wing. And Dortmund’s Dutch coach PeterBosz is big on wing play, a proponent of the 4-3-3.
On whether Pulisic sees himself playing centrally or on the wing, he 
Last season,when Pulisic stayed on the bench for the first two games, the team seen as the most likely to upset the Bayern Munich dynasty lost its second game of the season and was out of the race by October.
Pulisic is poised to be a Bundesliga starter from the get-go this season. The injuries to Reus and Schürrle, and the suspension — and likelihood that Barcelona will eventually make an offerfor Dembele that BVB can’t refuse — will put a spotlight on Pulisic like never before.
How he does won’t make or break the career of a player who turns 19 in September. But ifPulisic helps keeps BVB in the title race through the early part of the season, it will be another unprecedented achievement for the young American.
But hey, no pressure Christian! Good article, Mike.
What a team he is playing for and he is seeing major playing time. It is a good place to play. Plus the girls in Germany are free spirits that is a plus.
You know there is no ban on heading for kids there as yet.
Heh, especially if they sell Dembele. Then Pulisic becomes one of the main attacking threats. Big pressure for an 18 year old.
Pulisic is one of our best exports. The young man conducts himself with maturity and class, and is a pleasure to watch play. He has a strong work ethic, and is continually improving. If he keeps this up, he can be truly great – and we wish him all the success in the world. He is certainly earning it so far!
Bosch, does well to put Pulisic on the wing. He is a young player and thereby he will keep the game simple.This is where Bergkamp began as a young player(not to compare him to Berkamp).I would like to see which side of the flank he will placed on the wing, the one where can cross with his strong foot or have to cut in to shoot with his strong foot. I hope the former for that will put opponent’s backs in a tizzy for they been playing for a quite a few years now against wingers that cut inside by going to the endline throws off the opponent’s defensive rhythm and movement. It will be interesting how Bosch will influence Dortmund’s style of play.
I’d like to see him wide with the National team as well. So dangerous as he can go to the end line or cut in, on either side.
YEAH, I would like for us to start playing with 2 real wingers that can spread the opponent’s defense, leaving holes in the middle for midfielders to run into.
He’s getting playing time because he can play and deliver. Already the pro-pundits are positioning Pulisic; that’s were the problem arises in youth soccer development when good players are frozen into a “position.” His high level soccer IQ is what will make his career blossom and this talk of a “wide position” is like smoking bad weed.
IW, first of all you talk like he is 12, he is going on 19. High level soccer IQ, Pleaze. This kid hasn’t even had a full time starting position as ,yet. Young talented players at this stage, still young 18, need to be brought in carefully. This is what they did with Messi and Pulisic couldn’t wear Messi’s jock. Messi was too young to be thrown right into the wolves den that is why they brought him in to play wing first at Barcelona. I don’t know what Bosz’s plan is where he will play, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they start him at wing.
IW, I’m talking about Pulisic at Dortmund. What they will do on the USMNT is a different matter….
Frankie – you’re on the record as saying Messi is a “very limited” player.
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