MAKING THE CASE: Christian Pulisic for BioSteel U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year

Collecting eight appearances and three goals – all of which were game winners -- Christian Pulisic continued to contribute in big moments for the USMNT while also breaking new ground for American players abroad in 2021.

 

• READ MORE: 2021 BioSteel Male Player of the Year Nominees

 

Before casting your ballot for U.S. Soccer’s 2021 Player of the Year awards, here’s a rundown of Pulisic’s body of work for country and club this year:

 

• After opening his account by slotting home a penalty kick at Northern Ireland on March 28, Pulisic struck two devastating blows to Mexico within the span of five months.
  
  
• The first came when he put home a now iconic 114^th minute penalty kick to help the USA claim the inaugural Concacaf Nations League Final on June 6 in Denver.

 

 

  

• In November, Pulisic came off the bench and scored on his first touch when he nodded home Tim Weah’s cross top open the scoring in the USMNT’s eventual 2-0 World Cup Qualifying defeat of El Trí in Cincinnati.
  
  
• Part of the USMNT since age 17, Pulisic captained the side a career high four times in 2021 – including the Nations League Final as well as in the September World Cup qualifiers against Canada and Honduras.

 

 

  

• Continuing to chart new territory for American players at club level, he became the first USMNT player to feature in and win the UEFA Champions League as Chelsea defeated Manchester City 1-0 on May 29 in Porto.
  
  
• Pulisic played a major role in getting the Blues to the pinnacle match in club football, scoring the opening goal in the 1-1 semifinal first leg draw at Real Madrid.

 

 

 

• He also marked the second multi-goal game of his EPL career, recording a brace in Chelsea’s 4-1 win against Crystal Palace on April 10.
  
  
• Overall, Pulisic made 40 appearances across all competitions for Chelsea, recording six goals and four assists, while also helping the Blues to a runner-up finish in the 2020-21 FA Cup Final and a top four finish in the Premier League.

 

A four-time finalist, Christian Pulisic has previously won Male Player of the Year in 2017 and 2019. He won Young Male Player of the Year in 2016.