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When the United States Men’s National Team takes on Paraguay in its final game of the group stages, we will have a chance to see a story book moment unfold. Christian Pulisic, the 17-year-old wonderkid who is next in line as the bearer of the “Holy s*** he might be the chosen one” title in American soccer, will have a chance to play in his home state of Pennsylvania for the first time with the USMNT.
Pulisic, whose rapid ascension has taken him all the way from Hershey, Pennsylvania to Borussia Dortmund in Germany, is excited about the opportunity to play in front of his family and friends (H/T ESPNFC).
“It's awesome to be in my home state right now," he said prior a practice on Thursday. "I'm really excited to be close to my family and friends. It's amazing to be here with the national team.
"A lot [of family members will be there] too many to count, a lot of people supporting me."
Ok, let’s just get this out of the way, it isn’t very likely that Pulisic will start. If the USMNT loses they will be kicked out of the competition, and those stakes are simply too high for a 17-year-old that has only played 386 minutes in the Bundesliga and 86 minutes for the USMNT. But there is a very real chance he could be subbed in.
If he does make an appearance, I really hope the PA system at Liberty Financial Field starts blasting the theme to Rocky.
STANDING AT 5’8”, WEIGHING 139 LBS, FROM HERSHEY, PENNSYLVANIA, PHILADELPHIA, WELCOME THE SON YOU NEVER KNEW YOU HAD, 17-YEAR-OLD CHRISTIAN PULISIC!!!
And then he proceeds to wreck s***, a la how he has wrecked s*** before:
I would say that it is rare for a talent to have Americans as excited as Pulisic has us, but that just wouldn’t be true. But the one thing that Pulisic does have above all the other over-hyped American youngsters that have preceded him is a proven precocious start for one of the best teams in the world, Borussia Dortmund.
Having broken into Dortmund’s first team this year, and having become the youngest player to ever score two Bundesliga goals, Pulisic has impressed Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel, and he firmly believes in his own abilities.
"Everyone keeps telling me, 'You're only 17,'" he said. "I don't look at it like that. I'm just one of the guys, a member of the team. Just doing what I can to be the best player I can be."
"I just try to show no fear when I go on the field every time."
Sounds like something Rocky would say.
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