Christian Pulisic at AC Milan

Discussion in 'Yanks Abroad' started by Balerion, Jun 30, 2014.

  1. Gorky

    Gorky Member+

    Jul 28, 2006
    NYC
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think his dad IS in Germany, right?
     
  2. smithfan

    smithfan Member+

    Aug 14, 2005
    Waimoana
    Club:
    Borussia Dortmund
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    Yes, he is. The two have been watching the last BVB U17 games from the stands.


     
  3. ielag

    ielag Member+

    Jul 20, 2010
    Will Christian be able to play official U17 games once he gets registered which I believe is in January?
     
  4. comoesa

    comoesa Member+

    Aug 13, 2010
    Christen Press's armpit
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Wow, Croatia isn't a bad side and it could open some doors for him.

    Pretty amazing that they are going after him so hard. I did not know he was rated that well.
     
  5. wixson7

    wixson7 Member+

    May 12, 2009
    boulder
    This kid looks absolutely outstanding in the very small glimpes i've seen.
     
  6. smithfan

    smithfan Member+

    Aug 14, 2005
    Waimoana
    Club:
    Borussia Dortmund
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    Can't confirm it a 100%, but I expect him to be available from January on.
     
  7. SUDano

    SUDano Member+

    Jan 18, 2003
    Rochester, NY
    Playing for Croatia will open what doors for him?. He's already at Borussia Dortmund.
    He's all USA.
     
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  8. bshredder

    bshredder BigSoccer Supporter

    Feb 23, 1999
    Club:
    Millwall FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yes he is

    But it's cool that Croatia is trying
     
  9. comoesa

    comoesa Member+

    Aug 13, 2010
    Christen Press's armpit
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I was referring to the passport situation.
     
  10. SUDano

    SUDano Member+

    Jan 18, 2003
    Rochester, NY
    Ah gotcha. Hopefully at some point Americans won't just need a passport to look more attractive.
    I think it had more to do with starting in Europe prior to 18. He still would have gone to Dortmund as a non-EU player when he turned 18. Doors already open due to talent. Don't need him in development limbo that so many top US prospects find themselves in the prime years before the age of 18. Another reason would love for MLS/USL allow players to stay put in the US get good training and games for late teens then get sold to Europe for some equity. Allows our systems to then re-invest in development instead of getting our talent for free or lesser talent for less money
     
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  11. ielag

    ielag Member+

    Jul 20, 2010
    Christian turned down joining the Philadelphia Union academy (as did Danny Barbir) and without a doubt a HG contract soon after because his eyes were set on Europe (he has a 5-year contract with BVB). He came up with a Union affiliate club (PA Classics) before the Union started their own academy. Christian has also trained with the Union's USLPro affiliate Harrisburg City Islanders.
     
  12. BostonRed

    BostonRed Member+

    Oct 9, 2011
    Somerville, MA
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    But tying yourself to an MLS team is a risk because now you have a price on your head that needs to be satisfied by the buying club. There isn't an easy way right now to make sure you get to Europe (and the big bucks) quickly without dropping out of the system. And that's a risk in and of itself.
     
  13. SUDano

    SUDano Member+

    Jan 18, 2003
    Rochester, NY
    Good Point, but that also applies to the fact that he's on a youth team and not a full team. He still needs to improve to a talent level to be a first team player just as he needs the talent to have a price placed on that talent to be satisfied by the buying club. Both big hurdles to go through over the next 3-5 yrs. Just like seemingly transformative talents for their day Joe Gyau and Sebastian Lletget. Start that journey in USL/MLS or start that journey at the high end Dortmund youth level?
     
  14. SUDano

    SUDano Member+

    Jan 18, 2003
    Rochester, NY
    At some point in the near future I would love for a top US prospect do the USL/MLS development path and boss a #10 position in MLS at age 19. That could be Landon Donovan publicity level good for the league. Signature American talent.
     
  15. ttrevett

    ttrevett Member+

    Apr 2, 2002
    Atlanta, GA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    While that would be good for MLS, you're also talking about a generational talent who most of us would agree might get better early training through top coaching talent, and ultimately would produce a better product through his 20's. Landon's experience aside, I would rather see a guy with his talent be groomed by the world's best coaches, rather than those who are employed in the States. I'm not saying there are no quality coaches in the Stataes, I just don't think we can argue that the world's best are not in the States.
     
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  16. bballshawn

    bballshawn Member+

    Feb 5, 2014
    Delaware
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    one question. Arent coaches trained to do the same things?
     
  17. panicfc

    panicfc Member+

    Dec 22, 2000
    In my chair, typing
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    yes and no.

    Different methodologies exist, just as in teaching school, coaching basketball, football soccer. Plus another example is the level of competition - playing against better players on a daily basis will be important in development. That is why Klinsmann has brought up this point for our national team players, and is quite happy to see our talented youth players off to Europe, and more specifically Germany.
     
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  18. SUDano

    SUDano Member+

    Jan 18, 2003
    Rochester, NY
    I always struggle with the chicken or the egg debate of soccer development. I think its settled debate with many posters that European youth coaching is better..but to what extent and to what end. Is it due to coaching that top players exist or are there a bunch of other reasons with the main reason is the players drive and simple numbers of a mass of players competing with the best being recognized as world class. Is it a numbers game in countries where soccer's popularity rules the mass pursuit for greatness. Great players come from many countries just not in the numbers to drive world success. Many start playing professionally of their country of origin to be recognized by larger clubs. Why won't that work with MLS? So my question remains, Is it better for C.Pulisic to play against adults in USL Pro then get first team minutes in MLS at age 19 or is it better for him to play against players a few yrs older in highly competitive youth leagues in Europe. Many disagree with me but I don't know for sure which environment would be better for him long term. Would Luis Gil really be a better player being no where close to first team European football? Diego Fagundez? EPB?
     
  19. BostonRed

    BostonRed Member+

    Oct 9, 2011
    Somerville, MA
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    For those concerned about Christian's leanings:
     
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  20. Hararea

    Hararea Member+

    Jan 21, 2005
    One of the big things Spain and Germany did to improve player quality was to crank up the licensing requirements for coaches, which meant lots more training of coaches.

    Relative to their European counterparts, most US coaches are severely under-trained.
     
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  21. FC Tallavana

    FC Tallavana Member+

    Jul 1, 2004
    La Quinta
    I think we probably have plenty of coaches who have adequate training to develop world-class players. What we don't have enough of are opportunities for those coaches to be able to use their training to develop players rather than to win games.

    I coach basketball and I see AAU coaches who are great at assembling talent, but lousy at developing it. Unfortunately, it is those types of coaches who are coaching our most talented players. My guess is that club soccer in this country often has similar issues. The key will be to make sure we get the right kids with the right coaches, but that is easier said than done.
     
  22. grandinquisitor28

    Feb 11, 2002
    Nevada
    Curious on whether this is a longshot or not.

    Is it a 60/40 USA angle, 80/20, 50/50?

    I know it's all guess work, but many of you seem well plugged in. I'm definitely not.

    Really love the upside of this generation of U-17's, and am hoping we don't lose any to poachers from other nations, particularly considering Pulisic's position of choice, which is a desperate need for the senior side (Bradley isn't suited to it, and I happen to have a bad feeling that Mix is a classic "good enough for the hex, but not the big boys" kind of player, and the kids who are currently the next up prospects are all at best projects).

    Just a bit concerned about the Croatia talk. Is it a major longshot, or is it a genuine concern that he could end up w/Croatia?

    And btw, definitely like his flag tweet.
     
  23. ussoccer97531

    ussoccer97531 Member+

    Oct 12, 2012
    Club:
    --other--
    The Croatia U-17 coach said that Pulisic told him he was sticking with the USA, FWIW.
     
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  24. butters59

    butters59 Member+

    Feb 22, 2013
    More like 99 to 1.
     
  25. bshredder

    bshredder BigSoccer Supporter

    Feb 23, 1999
    Club:
    Millwall FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Pulisic has to go back to his grandfather to find Croatian roots. The fact that he is only now getting his Croatian passport (to facilitate his career) tells you that his ties to Croatia are really not all that strong. I'm not 100% sure, but I don't believe he speaks the language.

    From people I've talked to, he's not playing for Croatia unless he believes he has zero chance with the USA.

    It's really a non-issue. It's just interesting that Croatia rates him.
     

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