Under our Talent Radar banner, we have constantly strived to document and highlight the progress of the younger stars of the beautiful game, before they progress into household names.
The third edition of the Young Stars of the Year champions the combination of youth & diversity, as we look to reward seven of the best young individuals across seven primary categories.
Eligibility: 21 years old and below on January 1st, 2017
Christian Pulisic’s 2017
For a couple of years now, US Soccer has been trying to compete with football’s superpowers. Despite dominating most other individual and team sports, the world game has eluded the nation. The domestic MLS hasn’t established itself as far as it would have liked to, both in terms of a footballing context, and in competing with other domestic American leagues; nor has the attraction of signing the likes of David Beckham, Kaka and Steven Gerrard left a mark. US Soccer’s rise though, may arrive in the form of 19-year-old Pennsylvania born – Christian Pulisic, who unlike any American before, may go on to compete with the world’s best in years to come.
Having made his debut the previous campaign, Pulisic’s break-through season came in 2016-17, with supporters seeing him develop from raw talent to a well-rounded player in 2017. He would play a crucial role towards the penultimate period of the Bundesliga season, as Borussia Dortmund eventually secured Champions League qualification.
Needing a win in the final game of the season, Pulisic would come on as a second half-substitute before drawing a foul one minute from time to allow Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to score the winning penalty in a 4-3 win over Werder Bremen. This scenario would repeat itself one week later in the DFB Pokal final against EIntracht Frankfurt as Pulisic was called from the bench in the second half once again, earning a penalty twenty minutes later, with Aubameyang again scoring the winner in a 2-1 win and securing Dortmund’s first major trophy since 2012.
His dream year continued with the start of the 2017-18 season, as Pulisic has established himself as one of Borussia Dortmund’s key first team players, transitioning into a more wider role under Peter Bosz’ tutelage.
Widely expected to feature in the Gold Cup in mid 2017, Pulisic eventually missed out as national team coach Bruce Arena decided to field a reserve team for the finals, focusing the exploits of key players like the youngster on World Cup qualification. Though the national team would miss out on a spot for the first time since 1986, Pulisic’s exploits cannot be faulted. The teenager went on to score five goals in USA’s eight World Cup qualifiers played in 2017, including in the crucial last two games against Trinidad & Tobago and Panama, where Pulisic was used in a more central #10 role. (written by Sami Faizullah)
Final Nominees
In alphabetical order:
- Christian Pulisic (USA & Borussia Dortmund)
- Hirving Lozano (Mexico & PSV Eindhoven / Pachuca)
- Orbelin Pineda (Mexico & Guadalajara)
Talent Radar Accolades
From the Scout Report:
Excerpt from Mosope Ominyi‘s Scout Report of Christian Pulisic (May 2016)
“As an exciting prospect that can play in a multitude of different attacking positions, be it on either wing or just behind the striker as a number ten, Pulisic is equally as effective off-the-ball as he is with it. Intelligent movement into pockets of space allow him to be a credible passing option for team-mates when his side are in possession, edging towards the final third.
He is able to create a chance out of seemingly nothing at times and his direct running is a defender’s nightmare – his dribbling speed is excellently-timed in tough situations and he’s definitely not shy to contribute defensively out of possession too.”
North American Young Player of the Year History
| Year | Player | Age | Nationality | Club (at the time) | Current Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Christian Pulisic | 19 | USA | Borussia Dortmund | Borussia Dortmund |
| 2016 | Hirving Lozano | 21 | Mexico | Pachuca | PSV Eindhoven |
| 2015 | Andy Najar | 22 | Honduras | Anderlecht | Anderlecht |
- African Young Player of the Year 2017
- Asian Young Player of the Year 2017
- European Young Player of the Year 2017
- Oceanian Young Player of the Year 2017
- South American Young Player of the Year 2017
- Womens’ Young Player of the Year 2017
Young Stars of the Year 2017 / 2016 / 2015
