USMNT boss Arena tips Borussia Dortmund starlet Pulisic to be 'a special player'

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USMNT boss Bruce Arena has tipped Christian Pulisic to be a global star, saying the Borussia Dortmund youngster has what it takes to "be a special player."

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Having made his debut during the 2015/16 campaign, Pulisic, 18, established himself as a first-team regular at BVB last season, featuring in all but five of his club's Bundesliga games.

The USA international has already earned himself iconic status among Dortmund's passionate support, and Arena is also a fully-fledged fan of the teenager.

Watch: Pulisic on fire to help Dortmund tear Leverkusen apart

"From what I can tell so far in his career, everything that has been put in front of him he has been able to conquer. I think that is a strong indication that this kid is going to be a special player," said Arena, who returned for a second stint in charge of the USMNT last November.

"He is a very gifted athlete, he's very technically talented in his sport, he's got a real good mentality, and when you piece those three things together, there's a chance you're going to be good."

Pulisic was handed his USMNT debut in March last year by Arena's predecessor, former Bayern Munich coach Jürgen Klinsmann, and now has 13 senior caps to his name.

He should add to that tally in Thursday's 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier with Trinidad & Tobago where the teenager is likely to be employed in a more attacking role than he has starred in for his club.

"Blame me for all of that. Where would you prefer me to play him? He's capable of it," said Arena, who was impressed by the maturity his young star showed in March's challenging draw with Panama.

"There were some difficult moments in the early going, and he was called to man up and he manned up. It's great experience for a player his age and the kind of experience he has at the international level."

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