Pulisic For President

Christian Pulisic. Teenage heartthrob, American hero, football Wunderkind. Pulisic is currently only in his second season of professional football and is already making waves on the international stage.

Look at that face

Signed by Borussia Dortmund in 2015, he made an instant impact in their youth side averaging a goal or assist a game. He was promoted to the first team and made his debut in January 2016 and scored his first goal in the Bundesliga in February, becoming the youngest non-German goalscorer in the competition and the fourth-youngest goalscorer overall. He has been a fixture in the Dortmund first team throughout the 2016/17 season, being part of an exciting young Dortmund core under coach Thomas Tuchel, that if it wasn't for Bayern's historical dominance this season, would be pushing for their first title since their back to back winning seasons in 2011 & 2012. With the likes of Pulisic, Ousmane Dembele, Emre Mor, Julian Weigl and the addition of recent Swedish prodigy, Alexander Isak, Dortmund are setting themselves up incredibly well for the future.

Graduate of the Dab University. Famous alumni include Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard & Cam Newton

You could argue that Pulisic's dramatic impact has been accentuated by his nationality. The most famous product of the town of Hershey, Philadelphia, since the Kisses, he has been nothing short of a revelation in the US of A. If he was from South America or Europe, he would be talked about as a very talented young footballer but still with a way to go to prove himself, however he carries with him the hopes and dreams of a nation desperate to make bigger inroads in the international game for the next decade and beyond. For anybody else, the pressure could be too great, but under the tutelage of Tuchel (get it) and Bruce Arena with Jurgen Klinsmann before him for the National side, Pulisic does not seem to be too phased by his thrust into stardom.

A regular for Dortmund this season in all competitions, he has excelled with great performances in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League, including a stellar performance off the bench against Real Madrid, confirming that it is not too much too soon for the young American to be given the first team minutes he is deserving of. But it's been for the National team that he has had arguably the biggest impact.

Representing the USA for both the U15 & U17's, captaining the latter, his goal scoring record was an impressive 20 in 34 games. Having made his full debut for the senior side in March 2016, two months after is Dortmund debut, he has been a mainstay for the side tallying twelve caps scoring four goals to date. He holds a host of 'youngest ever' records for the senior team already, including youngest goalscorer in the modern era and the youngest player to score a brace, netting a double against St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The USA, a nation longing for improvement and medals on the World stage, would be wise to set their side up around the talented youngster. Good performances in the last couple of World Cups have increased interest in the sport but it still falls behind the NBA, MLB and NFL in terms of participation and viewing figures. With the MLS increasing in popularity, in no small part to the signings of ageing stars including but not limited to Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, David Villa, Andrea Pirlo with David Beckham initially before them, and younger international players like Sebastian Giovinco, success of the national side is vital to keep the sport on the rise. Having Christian Pulisic, dubbed the American Messi, continue to improve and become a star in Europe and at home will encourage youngsters go out and play some soccer.

One of the greatest players of all time, and Lionel Messi

It is unlikely that Pulisic will play in the MLS, certainly not during this prime, he has already rejected an offer from Liverpool, and it's certain that Dortmund will have to fight tooth and nail to prevent other European giants from calling, his future looks to remain in Europe. If he were to move to the MLS at some point within the next decade, this would be as big of a boost the still fledgling league would have had. A homegrown star of the potential calibre of Pulisic, playing in his own league? The positives in viewing figures, participation and impact on the sport as a whole would be astronomical in the country. A young, good looking athlete at the height of his powers would be the major marketing tool that the league has been crying out for since Beckham's retirement. The effects may not be felt immediately, but in 10-15 years time you would have to think that there would be several 'new Pulisic's' making their way in the game.

The hottest US teenage heartthrob since Zack Morris. They even look alike.

With Chicago Fire's recent acquisition of Bastian Schweinsteiger from Manchester United, the MLS still has not dispelled the notion that it is a league where the legends of the game go to retire with one last hurrah (and inevitable paycheck), however, depending on his continued stunning development, Christian Pulisic, teenage heartthrob, American hero, football Wunderkind, has the ability to change it all.

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