Mark Pulisic, the father of soccer in the United States

Mark Pulisic, the father of soccer in the United States

Christian Pulisic is the 'Wonder Kid' of American soccer. With just 18 years old and 5.8 ft tall, he dribbles past rivals in the Bundesliga and with the USMNT. Since debuting as a professional when he was 16, the native of Hershey, Pennsylvania, is soon to become the most prominent soccer player in the history of the United States. But few know it all started for the Borussia Dormund midfielder, even before he was born: with his father and also soccer player, Mark.

( ver el video con subtítulos en ESPAÑOL)

On the last Saturday of May, Christian Pulisic won the German Cup with Borussia Dortmund. Meanwhile, his father, Mark, about four thousand miles away finds time in between coaching to watch his son win his first professional trophy while training with the USL Club team Rochester Rhinos. Despite the difference in age, daily routine and time zone, both Pulisics find a connection through soccer.

• Youngest American player in history to play in a World Cup qualifying match: 17 years old and 193 days, against Guatemala.
• Youngest foreigner to score in Bundesliga history: 17 years old and 211 days, in a 3-0 win against Hamburg.
• Youngest American goal scorer for USMNT: he scored two of the four goals against Bolivia in a friendly at 17 years old and 253 days.

Mark Pulisic is almost as tall as his son, but with age has added a few more pounds and less hair. Today, the assistant coach of the Rhinos spends his days in Upstate New York, close to the Canadian border. While his son plays alongside the Aubameyangs and Dembelés of the world, he coaches lesser known players--but just as professional-- led by his former teammate and head coach of the Rochester Rhinos, Bob Lilley. The Rhinos were founded 20 years ago and Rochester has been their one and only home, with their most memorable feat being the only non-MLS club to win the U.S. Open Cup in the modern era, when they defeated the Colorado Rapids in 1999.
Soccer has always been a major part of Mark’s life. Born in Long Island, NY, Mark played for George Mason University and then for the Harrisburg Heat (now defunct National Professional Soccer League that later became the Major Indoor Soccer League). Mark knew his skills were not enough for to represent the United States National Team, but he believed his son was different.

Mark was Christian’s first coach, and from the beginning he noticed his son had an extraordinary talent, as he would face and beat players two years older, and sometimes two feet taller than him. Neither Mark nor his wife Kelly foced him to play soccer. The freedom to choose for himself allowed Christian to become the player he wanted to be, not the player his parents wanted him to be. This has helped Christian be calm on the pitch and let the game come natural to him.

Christian’s competitiveness and will to win is not only limited to the soccer field, but for any sport in that regard, including golf. His athleticism, natural born talent and guidance has paved the way for the younger Pulisic to become the ‘successor’ of Landon Donovan, wearing the number 10 for the USMNT.

Mark’s close friendship with Bob Lilley makes coaching and life much easier in Rochester. When Christian has a match on the other side of the Atlantic, there’s a different approach to his day and acknowledges the difficulty in concentration. While his son is one of the rising stars in European soccer, he still sees him as a child playing in a world of grown men. There were plenty of offers for Christian when he was in his teens, but Borussia Dortmund won the Pulsicis over due to the fact that they offered the best developmental and competitive conditions for him. But when he left for the Bundesliga at 16 years of age, he didn’t go alone. Mark traveled with him and was by his side for over two years, as he was part of the BVB U-10 team training staff. Even though coaching in Europe was a magnificent experience, Mark knew it was time to come back home and continue his career. Lookin forward, he views MLS as the perfect opportunity to continue developing his skills as a manager.

Mark is taking his son’s career with ease and doesn’t view his son as the new crown jewel of American soccer. However, he believes his son is proof that there are plenty of talented players in the US, and it’s only a matter of development. Mark is hoping that many other players get an opportunity to play abroad, just like his son, to one day have the US become a powerhouse in soccer.

But, how does he see his son in a few years? Mark is more prudent and after thinking it through, he humbly confirms his son has plenty of potential and his possibilities are infinite. He sees Christian playing in the best clubs in the world, fighting for individual and prestigious titles. Then he stops and doesn’t provide any more details to not compromise Christian’s career, but he isn’t wrong. The world of football is becoming aware that the number 22 for Borussia Dortmund is a gem worth pursuing.

• Youngest goal scorer for Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League: 18 years old and 171 days. He scored one of the goals in the 4-0 victory against Benfica in the second leg of the Round of 16.
• Youngest American player to win an European title: German Cup last May beating Eintracht Frankfurt, at 18 years old and 251days.

Mark and Christian find a way to see each other often through FaceTime. They talk to almost every day, but mostly before and after match days. They talk about soccer, of course, but they ask each other how their team is doing, and Christian constantly asks for advice. He might have gone further in his career than his father ever did, but Christian still seeks his guidance from his most loving critic.
On May 27th, they FaceTimed when Christian was on the team bus en route to the Olympiastadion of Berlin. Mark followed the game and jumped with joy when Christian was subbed in for Marco Reus, and later cheered when his son was taken down inside the penalty area, that resulted in Aubameyang’s match winning goal that gave Dortmund the German Cup title. Mark lived this experience at the Rhinos clubhouse next to his friend Bob Lilley. It was just the two of them and no one else. At the end of the match, the German club had a party, and somewhere in between, the two Pulisics spoke again. Even though it was Christian who was ecstatic for the title, it was Mark who was visibly humbled, thrilled, and about to burst into tears.

A proud father and lover of the game, this combination has never ever gone wrong for Mark.