Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Christian Pulisic

How Christian Pulisic built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Christian Pulisic is an American professional soccer player renowned for his skill as a winger, attacking midfielder, and forward. He currently plays for AC Milan and the United States national team. Widely considered one of North America's best soccer players, Pulisic is nicknamed "Captain America" due to his leadership and impact on the US national team. He is recognized for his dribbling abilities, direct attacking style, and playmaking skills, making him a key player for both club and country.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2010: Trial at Chelsea

In the summer of 2010, Christian Pulisic went on a five-day trial at Chelsea's Cobham base.

December 13, 2013: U-17 Friendly Tournament vs Brazil

On December 13, 2013, Christian Pulisic played for the U-17 team against Brazil at a U17 friendly tournament in Florida and scored a goal in the championship 4–1 win.

2014: Under 17 Bundesliga win

Christian Pulisic and Borussia Dortmund's U17 squad won the Under 17 Bundesliga in 2014-15.

February 2015: Borussia Dortmund Signing

In February 2015, Borussia Dortmund signed 17-year-old Christian Pulisic and assigned him first to their U17 squad.

2015: FIFA U-17 World Cup

In 2015, Christian Pulisic captained the U-17 team at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, scoring a goal and providing an assist in three games.

January 2016: Friendly Matches and Debut

In January 2016, Christian Pulisic played in friendly matches, scoring goals and assisting others. He also made his debut on the first team bench and played 90 minutes in a friendly against Union Berlin, scoring a goal and assisting another.

January 30, 2016: Bundesliga Debut

On January 30, 2016, Christian Pulisic made his Bundesliga debut in a 2–0 win against Ingolstadt, coming on as a second-half substitute for Adrián Ramos.

March 2016: Senior National Team Debut

In March 2016, Christian Pulisic made his senior national team debut at age 17.

March 27, 2016: Call-up to Senior Team

On March 27, 2016, Christian Pulisic was called up to the senior United States national team by head coach Jürgen Klinsmann for a World Cup qualifying game against Guatemala.

September 2, 2016: First World Cup Qualifier Goals

On September 2, 2016, Christian Pulisic scored two goals and provided an assist in a World Cup qualifying match against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, becoming the youngest person to score in a World Cup qualifier for the United States and the youngest to score a brace in American history.

2016: Champions League Debut and Goal

In 2016, Christian Pulisic made his Champions League debut and scored his first goal of the season in a 6–0 victory against Darmstadt 98.

January 23, 2017: New Deal with Dortmund

On January 23, 2017, Christian Pulisic signed a new deal with Dortmund, which would keep him at the club until 2020.

March 8, 2017: First UEFA Champions League Goal

On March 8, 2017, Christian Pulisic scored his first UEFA Champions League goal in a 4–0 victory over Benfica, becoming Dortmund's youngest ever scorer in the competition.

August 5, 2017: DFL-Supercup Goal

On August 5, 2017, Christian Pulisic scored the first goal in the DFL-Supercup against Bayern Munich.

November 20, 2018: Youngest USMNT Captain

On November 20, 2018, Christian Pulisic became the youngest player to captain the United States national team in a friendly defeat to Italy at 20 years and 63 days old.

2018: Loan to Dortmund

In 2018, Christian Pulisic was loaned to Dortmund.

2018: Deployed on the wing

Since the 2018-19 season, Christian Pulisic was most often deployed on the wing for Dortmund, and this continued at Chelsea and AC Milan.

January 2, 2019: Signed with Chelsea

On January 2, 2019, Christian Pulisic signed with Premier League club Chelsea for an estimated £58 million transfer fee but stayed at Dortmund on loan for the remainder of the 2018–19 season.

January 2019: Move to Chelsea

In January 2019, Christian Pulisic moved to Premier League club Chelsea in a transfer worth $73 million (£57.6 million), making him the most expensive North American player of all time.

March 26, 2019: Youngest to 10 International Goals

On March 26, 2019, Christian Pulisic became the youngest United States player to score 10 international goals at 20 years, 189 days old.

August 11, 2019: Premier League Debut for Chelsea

On August 11, 2019, Christian Pulisic made his Premier League debut for Chelsea in a 4–0 defeat to Manchester United.

October 23, 2019: Champions League Assist Against Ajax

On October 23, 2019, Christian Pulisic assisted Michy Batshuayi's late goal in a Champions League match against Ajax, resulting in a 1–0 win.

October 26, 2019: Perfect Hat-Trick Against Burnley

On October 26, 2019, Christian Pulisic scored his first goals for Chelsea, completing a "perfect" hat-trick in a 4–2 away win against Burnley. He became the second American to achieve the feat in the Premier League and the youngest hat-trick scorer in Chelsea's history.

June 21, 2020: Equalizer Against Aston Villa

On June 21, 2020, Christian Pulisic scored the equalizer in Chelsea's 2–1 win against Aston Villa after the Premier League fixtures resumed after the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Dortmund Contract Length

Christian Pulisic's contract with Borussia Dortmund that he signed in 2017 ran until 2020.

2020: UEFA Champions League Win

During the 2020 season, Christian Pulisic won the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League, becoming the first American to play in a Champions League final.

April 3, 2021: Goal Against West Bromwich Albion

On April 3, 2021, Christian Pulisic scored the opening goal in a 2–5 home league defeat to West Bromwich Albion.

June 6, 2021: CONCACAF Nations League Victory

On June 6, 2021, Christian Pulisic captained the United States national team to a 3–2 victory in the first-ever CONCACAF Nations League final against Mexico, scoring the winning goal by converting a penalty in the 114th minute.

August 11, 2021: UEFA Super Cup Win

On August 11, 2021, Christian Pulisic won the 2021 UEFA Super Cup and scored in the penalty shootout.

2021: CONCACAF Nations League Win

In 2021, Christian Pulisic won the CONCACAF Nations League.

2021: UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup Wins

In the 2021 season, Christian Pulisic won the 2021 UEFA Super Cup and 2021 FIFA Club World Cup.

January 2, 2022: Equalizer Against Liverpool

On January 2, 2022, Christian Pulisic scored the equalizer in a 2–2 draw at home against Liverpool.

March 27, 2022: First International Hat-Trick

On March 27, 2022, Christian Pulisic scored his first international hat-trick for the U.S. men's national team during their win over Panama in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification, with his first two goals coming from penalty kicks.

October 8, 2022: Goal Against Wolverhampton Wanderers

On October 8, 2022, Christian Pulisic scored in his first start under new Chelsea manager Graham Potter, a 3–0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

2022: FIFA World Cup

At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Christian Pulisic assisted Tim Weah's goal against Wales, earned Man of the Match against England, scored the winning goal against Iran, and assisted Haji Wright's goal against the Netherlands. He received two Man of the Match awards, ranking third overall in the tournament.

2022: Player of the Tournament Award

In 2022, Pulisic was awarded Player of the Tournament for the 2022-23 CONCACAF Nations League competition

June 2023: Move to AC Milan

In June 2023, Christian Pulisic moved to Serie A club AC Milan, beginning in the 2023–24 season.

July 13, 2023: Transfer to AC Milan

On July 13, 2023, Christian Pulisic completed a transfer to Serie A club AC Milan on a four-year contract until June 30, 2027.

2023: CONCACAF Nations League Finals

During the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Finals, Christian Pulisic scored a brace against Mexico in the semi-finals and was awarded Man of the Match. The United States defeated Canada 2–0 in the final, leading to him achieving his second Nations League trophy in a row. He was awarded Player of the Tournament for the 2022–23 competition.

February 18, 2024: Goal and Assist Against Monza

On February 18, 2024, Christian Pulisic came off the bench against Monza and recorded a goal and an assist to level the score 2–2, though Milan would lose 2–4.

August 24, 2024: First goal of the 2024–25 Serie A season

On August 24, 2024, Christian Pulisic scored his first goal of the 2024–25 Serie A season in AC Milan's 1–2 defeat to Parma.

2024: Supercoppa Italiana Win

Christian Pulisic and AC Milan won the 2024-25 Supercoppa Italiana.

2024: Contract Speculation

During the 2022–23 season, there was speculation that Christian Pulisic was going to leave Chelsea before his contract ended in 2024.

2024: CONCACAF Nations League Win

In 2024, Christian Pulisic won the CONCACAF Nations League.

2024: Double Figures in Consecutive Seasons

In 2024, Pulisic's goal made him the first American player in a top five European league since Clint Dempsey to reach double figures in consecutive seasons.

2024: 2024 Copa América & Milestone

In 2024, competing in the Copa América, Christian Pulisic recorded a goal and assist in the opening 2–0 group stage win over Bolivia, earning Man of the Match. On November 18, he became the fastest USMNT player to record 50 goal contributions after a goal against Jamaica in the CONCACAF Nations League.

2024: Third Nations League Trophy

In the 2024 CONCACAF Nations League Finals, Christian Pulisic captained the U.S. in the 2–0 victory against Mexico in the final to secure his third Nations League trophy in a row.

January 6, 2025: Supercoppa Italiana Victory

On January 6, 2025, Christian Pulisic won the 2024–25 Supercoppa Italiana with AC Milan against Inter Milan, scoring the equalizer and assisting the game-winning goal in a 3–2 victory. He finished as the tournament's joint-top goalscorer and became the first American player to reach double figures in consecutive seasons in a top five European league since Clint Dempsey.