Football
ESPN staff 8y

Christian Pulisic 'getting more and more comfortable' with U.S. squad

Christian Pulisic says he's growing "more and more comfortable" with the United States national team after becoming the youngest American in the modern era to score an international goal on Friday.

The 17-year-old capped the U.S.' 4-0 win over Bolivia by scoring in his third appearance on Saturday night, six days before the start of the Copa America.

Pulisic, who left his home in Hershey, Pennsylvania, to sign with Borussia Dortmund in January 2015, connected in the 69th minute. At 17 years, 253 days, he bettered the mark set by Juan Agudelo (17 and 359 days) against South Africa in 2010.

"I'm just living life in the moment, Pulisic said. "It's cool, stats and stuff are cool, but I just want to win this tournament coming up."

Though Pulisic is unlikely to start on Friday against Colombia, his performance will give U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann plenty to think about should he need a late goal from a substitute.

"At such a young age, to score a goal on the senior team is quite special," said Klinsmann, who was 23 when he scored his first goal for West Germany.

Pulisic made his Bundesliga debut on Jan. 30 and had 12 first-team appearances, scoring against Hamburg on April 17 and Stuttgart six days later. He made his first U.S. appearance as an 81st-minute substitute in a World Cup qualifier against Guatemala on March 29.

"The guys have taken me in. They're all really nice, and it's helped me a lot that I've been with them a few weeks now," he said. "It's getting more and more comfortable. I'm making more friends."

Pulisic scored after Jermaine Jones forced a turnover. Jones exchanged passes with Darlington Nagbe, who ran past three Bolivians and rolled the ball into Pulisic's path. The teenager slid the ball past goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra's from right of the penalty spot, causing many in the crowd of 8,894 to chant his name.

He's used to going against stronger, older opponents.

"It's just what I learned since I was a little kid. My dad taught me no matter what -- I would play against these bigger players -- to just be myself," he said. "I knew that I was good enough, that I had the ability, so I never shy away from any moment, and I don't think anyone should."

The 4-0 win was the U.S.' largest margin of victory against a South American nation, as Klinsman's beat opponents from that continent in consecutive games for the first time and swept their three warm-up matches by a combined 8-1 after defeating Puerto Rico and Ecuador.

"I think our chemistry is really good," Klinsmann said. "They realize that it's a once in a lifetime opportunity to play the Copa America here in the United States."

Alejandro Bedoya assisted on the first two goals against Bolivia and said the game served as an important tune-up.

"This type of game gives us confidence and motivation," Bedoya said. "We also picked up on things that we can try against Colombia."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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