It’s safe to say that the American soccer world has been taken by storm. Eighteen-year-old prodigy Christian Pulisic is bringing American men’s soccer to the global stage. Pulisic is currently a midfielder for Borussia Dortmund in Germany’s notoriously competitive “Bundesliga,” which has been home to some of the world's top tier players for years. The young American has a lot of football left ahead of him, but his potential is impossible to ignore. Here are 5 things we love about this upcoming American soccer phenomenon.

He comes from humble beginnings.

The American midfielder moved to Detroit at the age of eight when his father began coaching the Detroit Ignition of the Major Indoor Soccer League. He spent countless hours learning moves from the pros and practicing them meticulously in his backyard. Granted that Pulisic is more talented than most kids growing up playing their favorite sport, he was able to play the game he loved from a young age which is a nation that plenty of his countrymen can relate too.

He’s young… really young.

At the age of 18, most students are preparing to enter the next phase of their lives, whether it’s college, the work force, or living off your parents for another few years. Pulisic, on the other hand, is thriving in one of the most elite soccer leagues in the world. He recently scored a goal in the 45th minute of a match against Stuttgart to become the youngest player in history to score two Bundesliga goals. His age has prevented Pulisic from making a World Cup appearance for the Americans thus far, but the rest of the world could be in trouble when the Russians host the World Cup in 2018.

He’s giving the United States a name in international play.

It’s no secret that soccer has never gotten the attention that other sports do in the United States. Despite increases in young people playing soccer in the United States, the United States Soccer Federation has been waiting for an elite player to emerge on the international stage. We’ve been teased in the past with glimpses of potential from Americans playing overseas. Plenty of Americans have played well, but none have proven themselves to be in the top tier of the sport. Pulisic could be just what the doctor ordered to make U.S. men's soccer a force to be reckoned with.

Speed kills.

Standing at 5’9 and weighing 139 pounds soaking wet, Pulisic is certainly no Zlatan Ibrahimovic. However, size is not his game. Pulisic is as athletic as they come and he’s not afraid to show it. He runs an average of 10.2 kilometers per game and his willpower is the perfect compliment to his speed. As you could infer from an 18-year-old moving around the world to play in a top-notch soccer league, Pulisic isn’t afraid of challenges. His speed gives him a fearless sense of confidence to out run and out maneuver his defender in every one-on-one situation. 

He will have decades of experience.

Pulisic possesses mesmerizing talent. Starting his professional career at 18, he has the potential for a lengthy, eventful career in professional soccer. By getting early years of experience in a competitive league like Bundesliga, Pulisic has a distinct opportunity to improve against some of the world’s best players. Playing against world-class competition will surely give Pulisic some advantages to bring back to the United States Men’s National Team. American soccer fans, hang on, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.