JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, United States (Reuters) — Seventeen-year-old playmaker Christian Pulisic became the youngest man ever to start a qualifier for the U.S. team when he took the field in the USA’s 4-0 rout of Trinidad and Tobago at home in Concacaf Group C World Cup qualifying on Tuesday (September 6) . Pulisic broke the record of Jozy Altidore who was 18 when he started against Cuba in 2008.
Pulisic proved worthy of the big stage and repeatedly created offensive chances but it was Altidore who took the spotlight with a pair of goals in the second half. Manager Jurgen Klinsmann explained his decision to start Pulisic after the game.
“Well what we said over the last months, one step at a time but the step was right today. We watch every training session. Obviously, Copa America helped us a lot to bring him along and get comfortable in this group of older guys. He was very mature the way he trained every session. He was very focused.Not backing up at all in physical battles as well so we thought it’s a good time now and obviously the performance was wonderful to watch. Don’t want to give him too many compliments. We’ve got to keep him down on the ground guys.”
The teenager from Hershey, Pennsylvania currently plays for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga. In April, Pulisic became the youngest foreigner to score a goal the top german league.
Pulisic reflected on his historic start after the match.
“First of all I was really excited to get the start obviously, uh, I think it took us awhile to get started in that game but once we got the flow and the rhythm I think we did a really great job.”
Pulisic will turn 18 next week and sheepishly admitted that he will celebrate by going to a Justin Beiber concert.
“Yeah, I just got (the tickets) actually. I’m excited.” Pulisic said.
