The biggest thing my dad taught me was to play without fear.
— Christian Pulisic
I try to have an impact on every game, whether it's by making runs or using quick moves to try to get by defenders or making a nice pass to help my team.
I've experienced first-hand how the system is in Germany. I've seen how well-developed and professional they are, even at a young age. I learned and grew so much as an individual there.
I think - I hope - that we're going to be able to build something here with U.S. Soccer, where it's not just going to be about one lost match or one lost cycle or one lost team. It's going to be about an entire country rallying around an entire sport in a way that lasts.
It's not just about getting the ball and figuring out every time how you can keep possession, because there are plenty of players who can do that. That's just not how I view my performances. It's about, What can I do to change the game and the attacking aspect of the game?
As a kid, I just always learned that if you want to be the best, you have to play against the best.
Tuchel always just trusted me and gave me a chance. Of course, he's given me tips and feedback with what he sees every day in training and stuff like that, small things.
The Premier League is an unbelievable league.
I love having the ball, just running with it, and going through difficult situations. It's just fun for me whenever I have it.
I don't put any extra pressure on myself for national team games.
Being with Dortmund and playing in more big games there, it's just gaining experience.
Wherever I am on the field, I'm just trying to be an attacking presence and constantly be on their back four and try to make a difference in that way. So it doesn't matter where I play for my club.
It's a fast learning process if you want to be successful at the highest level.
I was always out playing sports in situations that didn't matter with my friends.
It was definitely tough being the coach's son.
Obviously, making my debut at such a young age, people put a lot of pressure on you.
Of course I always dream big, but I don't put a plan out for myself.
I'm working on my final ball, my precision in front of goal, my one-on-one attacking ability, just new ways to beat defenders and help my team.
I like to think of myself as a creative player.
When I put on the U.S. jersey, I play for myself, I play for my family, and I play for the team. That's really all I do.
Why is it that E.U. players are allowed to move country once they turn 16... but non-Europeans can only do so at 18? Why aren't we campaigning for a level playing field, where our best 16 year olds - who may not have an E.U. passport like I had - are free to move when they turn 16, like the best young players in Europe can?
My coaches taught me a lot is about taking the first touch positive, and I think that's what I've tried to base my game off of. A big part of it is being aggressive.
I want to inspire kids, and yeah, if that helps with expansion teams - in the MLS or anything like that - but my main goal is just to inspire. Try and inspire our youth.
I am just happy about every minute I can be on the pitch.
I love playing with the national team. I love being here as much as I can.
What I learned is that nothing is given easy to you.
I've been fortunate that I have good athletic ability, just in general. Quick, strong, able to bounce off players, trying to be strong in winning tackles, and annoying to play against, pretty much.
CONCACAF games are tough.
I just play because I enjoy the sport.
I'm pretty quiet, but my best quality is leading by example.
I took the step over to Europe to play at a big club at a young age. I think that's what's hard for a lot of people, moving over there.
I always had a soccer ball with me. I could never stop. As young as I can remember, my dad was always throwing a soccer ball at me.
It's really exciting and pretty cool to see your own face on a playing card.
I try to focus on the next week and the next game every time, focus on what I'm doing right now and just to continue to improve every single day. If I do that, I should have a good future.
My dad taught me, like, no matter what, when I go out and play against these bigger players, just to be myself. I knew that I was good enough and that I had the ability to. I never shy away from anyone, and I don't think anyone should.
I'm not saying the U.S. system is poor at all, because I learned a lot from it. There's a lot of great coaches and good things I did there as well.
I've always been a pretty good athlete.
I'm an attacking midfielder.
I've never seen a town that's so connected and so proud of their team and so passionate about the game. That's what makes Dortmund stand out so much. The weather isn't very good, but it's just a great town to live in. It's really known for the soccer.
If I can inspire kids to do what I do - want to become professional soccer players - then I think that that's everything I want to do.
My family, and just the people around me in my life - you know, my friends - they take care of me, and whenever I'm too high, they bring me right down, and when I'm too low, they pick me up.
I'm going to continue to be the same attacking style that I've always been. I'm not going to change it because of how other teams are treating me.
When you play against the best players, you're going to grow.
It's been a big flaw of ours in the soccer department that a lot of our best athletes go and play other sports. But I think young players have seen me, and others, go over to Europe and play in some of the best leagues - and MLS is improving so much, too.
I just like to be on the field really anywhere.
I set my own personal goals; I'm not playing to satisfy fans.
In a moment, or type of pressure, you just go out, and I play like I always do. Because it's a big moment, I'm not going to shy away and not show my talents. I'll show what I can do and show it every game.
It's hard to always listen to your dad when you get older. You want to move on, but he has the knowledge. I think he did just the right amount of pushing me but also letting me do my thing, and just making sure that I always enjoyed the game, and I'm not feeling pressured.
I think I've just been able to stay balanced, and my family has helped me through that. And with that, I just can continue to develop because I work hard every day.
When I was a kid, I collected a lot of cards from all different sports.
