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SBI USMNT Man of the Match: Christian Pulisic

Photo by Trevor Ruszkowski/USA Today Sports
Photo by Trevor Ruszkowski/USA Today Sports

Christian Pulisic’s efforts came against a beaten team, but that doesn’t make what the U.S. Men’s National Team winger did look any less impressive.

Given just 23 minutes to work with after being introduced in the second half, Pulisic provided two goals and an assist in the USMNT’s 6-0 win over Saint Vincent & The Grenadines on Friday afternoon. The 17-year-old’s contributions put the match well out of reach while earning the Borussia Dortmund winger honors as SBI USMNT Man of the Match.

Pulisic was joined by Sacha Kljestan as 67th minute additions, and the unlikely duo wasted little time in forming a partnership that shined throughout their limited action. Just four minutes after joining the fray, Pulisic was tapping home a Kljestan cross to push the USMNT lead to 4-0. Seven minutes after that, Pulisic turned provider, feeding the New York Red Bulls star for a payback goal. Then, in stoppage time with the game all but over, the winger completed his brace while scoring his third international goal.

As the scoreline would indicate, Pulisic was far from the only impressive player wearing a USMNT jersey, but he did do enough to narrowly edge Bobby Wood, Jozy Altidore and Kljestan for SBI USMNT Man of the Match honors.

What did you think of Pulisic’s performance? Which player stood out to you in Friday’s match?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Even with the quality of the opposition, at 17 years old and in 23 minutes to come on and produce those numbers is pretty awesome. It’s exciting to see him playing. I’ll leave it at that: exciting. Hope to see more from him

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  2. It is hrd to say who should be MOM. It was SVG and after the first goal, they looked less intense, after the 2nd, even more lost, by the end, while I thought Pulisic’s touch on that first shot was fantastic, it is hard to think knocking in goals 4, 5 and 6 against a tired and demoralized SVG side was all that wonderful. Wood and Altidore softened up the back line and the chance deflection that Besler chested down and calmly put away lead to all that came later.

    I am glad that JK will have to make some tough choices to reward the players who deserve it most.

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    • I disagree. They were going very hard at the beginning of the second half. When we subbed on Pulisic and Kljestan and they combined for the 4th worked goal, it took the wind out of their sails and they totally collapsed.Two seconds after Pulisic got on the pitch you could see a disturbance in the force. Both goals highlighted precisely why we need technical and creative players and the quality of the opponent helped create the imbalance but those goals would have been good against any side in the world.

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  3. Just can give up 12 pts worth of goal differential and we’re through. But Ruiz makes us at least sweet a little. TnT is through so maybe they won’t play too hard.

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  4. Pulisic’s touch on his first goal and long distance second goal displayed technical ability and decision making ability that had nothing to do with the opponent. He is class, and a class above. At 17.

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  5. I would go with Bedoya for MOTM, he was everywhere. But then I have always been a Bedoya fan and think he is really underrated.

    Pulisic and Klejstan looked really good, but they came in fresh against a badly outmatched team. Still, there’s no longer any denying the talent of Pulisic. At 17, he is a class above anyone I have seen in a US shirt since Donovan. Don’t get too excited. Don’t jinx it. For the love of…

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    • It is hard to judge different players who played at different times with different teams. That being said, from what I have seen, I think Pulisic is better than Donovan was at 19. While Donovan seemed to have more speed, Pulisic seems to have what the announcer noted–football/soccer smarts. He has an innate ability to know where to go, when to make runs, what passes to make, etc. I don;t know if he will score as much as Donovan, but I think he has shown the capability of becoming the best US player ever. We’ll see.

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      • Gary, I think Pulisic’s best attribute is control. His ability to absorb passes, then with the ball dribble probing for opportunities to attack or play an unlocking pass. Few USMNT players at any position have the skill to be comfortable on the ball and put the opponent on their heels or dictate terms on the field. Too often USMNT players anticipating the ball quickly limit themselves with their first touch and their next move is further limited because they need to recover the ball. Often the attacking opportunities have been limited at this point.from the lack of control with defenders closing and changing attacking angles.

  6. many people think that it is important to have
    many games for selection to continue it I
    think experience is important, but the most
    important is to have players with technique,
    able to carry USMNT to another level in
    world football so I want players like Pulisic ,
    Arriola, acosta, Brooks, Miazga, horvath,
    Stanko, Zelalem, Kitchen, gooch etc. have
    more chances and players like Jones,
    beckerman, orozco, Zusi, bedoya, Wondo no
    more chances

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  7. I don’t mean to nitpick but CP’s first goal was hardly a tap in. He had impeccable control on the first touch and still had to slot it away.

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  8. My Prisoner of the Moment comment is that Pulisic and Kljesten must always be on the field together from now on.

    Pulisic 2 goals and an assist to Kljesten.
    Kljesten 1 goal and 2 assists to Pulisic.

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    • That certainly looked true, especially the first goal by Pulisic. However, you need to consider the quality of the opponent and the fact that they were both fresh legs on a hot and humid day. Perhaps you weren’t completely serious? Still, it looks like Kljestan deserves further playing time and we know with Pulisic it is just a matter of seasoning before he becomes a mainstay.

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      • Yea wasn’t completely serious that’s why I emphasized “prisoner of the moment comment”. I do prefer Kljesten over Bedoya any day of the week. I know you give up defense and work-rate with Kljesten over Bedoya, but with Bedoya you give up offense and creativity and fluid passing. I’ll take Kljesten over Bedoya everyday.

    • I just dropped by to relay some important new information…. As it turns out, Christian Pulisic is actually my dad.

      Hope all of you are well.

      Reply

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