Football
Doug McIntyre, ESPN Staff Writer 8y

Jurgen Klinsmann coy on Christian Pulisic's United States prospects

NEW YORK -- United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann isn't sure if he'll consider 17-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder Christian Pulisic for June's Copa America Centenario.

Pulisic has appeared in five of Dortmund's last six games. He made his first Bundesliga start on Sunday against Bayer Leverkusen, although he was replaced at halftime of the 1-0 win.

Given the Pennsylvania native's tender age and limited professional experience -- he was only promoted to the second-place German side's senior squad last month -- Klinsmann is taking a wait-and-see approach.

"I think giving him compliments, giving him encouragement but just keeping things on the ground is really important right now," Klinsmann said following Sunday's Copa America Centenario draw.

"I'll talk to his coach, I'll talk to him and just keep things balanced because that's a lot for not even an 18-year-old.

"So we'll keep things grounded, but we are excited that we have a talent like him coming through the ranks."

Reminded that he took a 19-year-old Julian Green to the 2014 World Cup -- before the Bayern Munich prospect had made his Bundesliga debut -- Klinsmann said each case would be evaluated on its own.

Green scored for the U.S. in a 2-1, Round of 16 loss to Belgium but has dropped off the national team radar since.

"Every moment is different, and every player's situation is different," he said.

"But just to monitor [Pulisic] right now and see him getting minutes with Dortmund is exciting for us, there's no doubt about it. But what consequence that has maybe toward the summer we'll see. We'll take it one day at a time."

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