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 as one of North America's best. Nicknamed "Captain America," he excels as a winger for AC Milan and the United States national team. He is highly regarded for his exceptional dribbling skills, direct attacking style, and playmaking abilities, 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 Goal vs. Brazil

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

February 2015: Signing with Borussia Dortmund

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

January 2016: Friendly Matches and Debut

In January 2016, Christian Pulisic played the second half of two friendly matches with Borussia Dortmund's first team, scoring one goal and assisting another. On January 24, he played 90 minutes in a friendly against Union Berlin, scoring a goal and assisting another.

January 2016: Promotion to Borussia Dortmund's Senior Team

In January 2016, at the age of 17, Christian Pulisic was promoted to the senior team of Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund after progressing through their youth academy.

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, at age 17, Christian Pulisic made his senior national team debut for the United States.

March 27, 2016: Senior Team Debut

On March 27, 2016, Christian Pulisic was called up to the senior team and made his debut for the United States in a World Cup qualifying match against Guatemala, becoming the youngest American to play in a World Cup qualifier.

September 2, 2016: Youngest Goal Scorer in World Cup Qualifier

On September 2, 2016, Christian Pulisic scored two goals and 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 player to score a brace in American history.

2016: International Champions Cup and Champions League Debut

During the 2016 International Champions Cup pre-season tournament, Christian Pulisic scored against Manchester City. He also became Dortmund's youngest player to play in the UEFA Champions League.

January 23, 2017: New Deal with Dortmund

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

March 8, 2017: First 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: Goal in DFL-Supercup

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 the age of 20 years and 63 days.

2018: Loan to Dortmund

For the remainder of the 2018-19 season, Christian Pulisic was loaned back to Dortmund from Chelsea.

January 2, 2019: Signing with Chelsea and Loan Back to Dortmund

On January 2, 2019, Christian Pulisic signed with Premier League club Chelsea for an estimated £58 million transfer fee. The deal also saw him stay 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), becoming 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, during a Champions League match against Ajax, Christian Pulisic assisted Michy Batshuayi's late goal, securing a 1–0 win for Chelsea.

October 26, 2019: First Chelsea Hat-Trick

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.

June 21, 2020: Equalizer Against Aston Villa

On June 21, 2020, after recovering from injury, Christian Pulisic came off the bench to score the equalizer in Chelsea's 2–1 win against Aston Villa after the Premier League fixtures resumed following the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

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 CONCACAF Nations League final against Mexico, scoring the winning goal by converting a penalty in the 114th minute.

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. Two of the goals were from penalty kicks.

June 2023: Move to AC Milan

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

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 AC Milan would lose 2–4.

August 24, 2024: First Goal of the Season

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

January 6, 2025: Supercoppa Italiana Win

On January 6, 2025, Christian Pulisic won the 2024–25 Supercoppa Italiana against Inter Milan, scoring the equalizer and assisting the game-winning goal, securing his first trophy with AC Milan. He was also the tournament's joint-top goalscorer.