Americans Abroad: Christian Pulisic

“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far it is possible to go.” – T.S. Eliot.

The odd case of Freddy Adu exposed Americans to the danger of overhyping talent – and they didn’t like it. Starting an MLS game at 14 and destined for stardom across the waters, he instead became a world traveler, playing for 12 clubs across eight different countries, shunned to the oblivion of the footballing world and consigned to wander the Path of Forgotten Talents. Since then, Americans have been wary to label young talent, and for good reason, but one boy from Hershey, Pennsylvania was determined to challenge that notion…

Young Christian Pulisic was always surrounded by soccer – such was the nature of having two soccer-playing parents. The sport was in his genes, but it was his path to forge. The world may never know whether the power of fate or the science of life led Pulisic to embrace his parents’ beloved sport. But for American soccer fans, we’ll live content in ignorance.

Christian Pulisic lived a nomadic childhood where adjustment was a major necessity, spending time in Pennsylvania, Michigan, England, and Germany. Perhaps it was this early exposure to European culture that influenced his later decision to seek opportunity playing abroad. In England, the sport was just around the corner for Pulisic – an availability that fostered a kindred passion for the game. As the Pulisics made their way around the States, the one constant in Christian’s life was soccer, and no matter where he lived, it always played an integral part in his lifestyle.