Exposing USA’s Youth System Shortcomings, Christian Pulisic Reflects on Brutal ‘Huge Step Up’ to Borussia Dortmund’s Elite Level

Have you ever stopped thinking about how so many of the world’s top soccer stars came from youth academies? I mean, look at guys like Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal, or Matthijs de Ligt. These high-level players didn’t just wake up one day as superstars—they were shaped in those academy systems. But then you look at the youth scene in the USA, well… it’s still a bit behind, right? Christian Pulisic, aka Captain America, has been all over Europe, and he’s not shy about calling out the shortcomings.

He’s been through it all, starting at Dortmund’s U-19s, now at AC Milan, and if there’s one thing he’s learned, it’s that the USA youth system has a long way to go. Let’s talk numbers for a second. Back in 2015-16, Pulisic was lighting it up with Dortmund’s U-19s, scoring 7 goals in 14 matches. That kind of performance earned him a spot on the first team. So, when Pulisic talks about the gaps in the USA youth system, one can’t help but listen. 

The USMNT star is no stranger to speaking his mind. Whether it’s answering tough questions or giving us an honest take on soccer, he’s always been upfront. However, in a recent interview with the GQ, he explained how he felt after breaking into the Dortmund first team, noting his transitions from playing at a youth level to competing with seasoned world-class players, where they recently participated in a prestigious event like the Champions League final.

“It was unlike anything I’d done up to that point. Experienced, world-class players, where they had just been in the Champions League final the year before, and I’d been playing at youth level. And then you go into that, with big-time coaches and having to just try to be one of them and compete with them every day,” Pulisic reflected on the challenge of competing with elite players every day, which likely served as a catalyst for personal and professional growth

Christian Puisic also highlighted the importance of adapting to higher expectations, making necessary adjustments, and continuously improving to succeed in the new role.“I tried not to be too much of a fan. Here I had to go in, try to be myself, and show that maybe I belong here. I want to be on the field, too. It was a huge step up, and it took some adjusting. I definitely needed to get stronger, to improve, make faster decisions in a lot of ways,” he noted. But this is not the first time when Christian Pulisic has said something related to the USA’s youth players or its system. 

Christian Pulisic highlighted the importance of playing young talent in MLS

If you go back in time, Captain America has never been one to hold back when talking about the growth of soccer in the U.S. One thing that really frustrated him back in 2017 was seeing how talented young players in MLS struggle to get regular playing time: “It really does frustrate me, when I watch MLS, and I see our best U-17 players, who, again, are so talented and so capable — being rostered.“ He acknowledged the immense potential and capability of these young players but pointed out that they are not given the opportunity to play at the highest level or be featured in the first-team rosters.

The 26-year-old compares his own journey with young players in MLS. He reflects on how, after performing well at the youth level, he was given a genuine opportunity to play for Dortmund’s first team, which significantly changed his career and life. “But then not being put on the field much to actually play, I watch that, and I just think about how I was given a chance, a real chance, and it changed my life. Why then are we seemingly hesitant to allow these other talents to blossom?”

Christian Pulisic’s journey and thoughts highlight the need for the USA to invest in youth development systems and provide opportunities for young talent to play in MLS.