Christian Pulisic Got His Soccer Genes From Parents Mark And Kelley Pulisic

Publish date: 2024-05-18

Christian Pulisic parents Mark and Kelley Pulisic met at George Mason University. Mark and Kelley played college soccer for the George Mason Patriots.

Pulisic is originally from Hershey, Pennsylvania, where his family's support system helped accelerate his soccer career. The athletic family most likely traveled to multiple locations before returning to the Hershey neighborhood.

During his youth, Pulisic played for the local U.S. Soccer Development Academy team PA Classics and occasionally trained with local professional club Harrisburg City Islanders, currently known as Penn FC.

Christian presently plays for Premier League club Chelsea as a winger or offensive midfielder and is known for his dribbling prowess and explosive pace.

Pulisic, who began his professional career with German club Borussia Dortmund, has received three U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year honors and one Young Male Athlete of the Year title.

Christian Pulisic Parents Mark And Kelley First Met In 1989

Christian Pulisic parents Mark and Kelley played collegiate soccer at George Mason University. Mark is originally from Croatia. 

Christian's mom and dad both graduated from the same university with degrees in physical education. They had successful collegiate soccer careers for the Patriots.

Besides, Mark's GMU colleagues included Corey Harlow, a roommate, and buddy who also happened to be Kelly's brother. He was in his senior year when Kelley arrived on a scholarship to GMU in 1989.

At that time, Mark played forward for Mason from 1986 to 1989 and is a member of the George Mason Men's Soccer Hall of Fame, whilst Kelley was a star defender for the Patriots from 1989 to 1992. And it's all because of soccer that the couple met and started a family with three children.

His Mother Kelley Publisic

Christian mother, Kelley, began playing when she was five years old, but there were no all-girls teams in her area at the time, so she played alongside the boys.

Originally known as Harlow, Kelley grew up in neighboring Burke, where she joined the Braddock Road Shooting Stars, a local club team.

With her elder brother, Corey, having signed on to kick the ball for George Mason just a year earlier, Kelley became keen to continue her soccer career, as per Go Mason

Likewise, as a freshman, she led the Patriots to reach the NCAA Tournament, and as a sophomore, she won NSCAA All-Region honors. She finished second on the squad with five goals and 12 points as a senior in 1992.

Christian Father Mark Pulisic A Former Soccer Player

Christian father Mark Pulisic is a long island native currently working as a soccer coach. Mark retired from a professional playing career in 1999. 

His dad, Mate, a native of Olib, Croatia, instilled a passion for European football in him. In addition, Pulisiv attended GMU because of its soccer prowess. 

During Mark's four years as a player, from 1986 to 1989, the Patriots won 46 games, two CAA titles, and three visits to the NCAA Tournament. He appeared in 72 games, making 61 starts, and scored 35 goals and 81 points, both of which rank sixth all-time at Mason. 

Moreover, Pulisic made his professional debut with the Harrisburg Heat of the National Professional Soccer League in 1991. He remained with the Heat for his entire career, retiring from professional play in 1999.

His Career As A Soccer Coach

Pulisic was hired by Lebanon Valley College in 1993. Mark started a new chapter in the men's soccer program, where he stayed until 2005.

Similarly, he also began coaching a new women's team program at the institution in 1996. Later, he was named the inaugural coach of the expansion Detroit Ignition of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) on April 19, 2006.

Mark moved to Germany in 2015 when his son Christian was signed by Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund as a coach for Dortmund's U10 youth squad.

He then returned to the United States in early 2017, taking a job as an assistant coach with Rochester Rhinos, where he worked alongside old teammate and colleague Bob Lilley, as per ESPN

Christian Pulisic Was Raised In An Athletic Family

Pulisic and his two siblings were raised in a sporting household in Hershey, Pennsylvania. 

Mark and Kelley were always wary about pushing their three children, Chase, Devyn, and Christian, into soccer or any sport. With both having played, they were concerned about sliding into the pitfall that some parents fall into by pressuring their children to follow in their footsteps.

Christian grew up playing basketball, golf, and soccer. He drew on a multitude of experiences from his upbringing.

Well, the family moved to England when Kelley, a middle school health and physical education teacher, earned a grant to teach there when Christian was 7. 

After that, the family subsequently relocated to suburban Detroit, where his father, a former professional indoor soccer player, managed an indoor team, per The Philadelphia Inquirer

Christian Two Siblings Chase And Devyn

Pulisic has two siblings a sister named Devyn Pulisic and a brother named Chase Gallant. Christian cousin William Publisic is also a soccer player. 

Kelley's Facebook profile comprises multiple photos of their five-member family. The pleased mother frequently updates her Facebook with her children's accomplishments.

Furthermore, Christian brother, Chase, presently works as a Dj at Noise Ordinance. His Facebook profile lists a handful of his former roles, including those as a vendor at Jay Vending, a game tech at Dave Buster's, a housekeeping supervisor at Onelife Fitness, and others.

Additionally, his profile states that he is in a relationship with his partner, John Locke.

On the other hand, his sister Devyn Pulisic is a horse trainer who operates Tranquility Stables, which offers equine boarding, training, and lessons. Her Facebook and Instagram pages are filled with photographs of her horses and her participation in numerous events.

His Sister's Wedding To Austin Sawyer

Devyn and her fiancé Austin are all set to recite their vows on January 8, 2023. Their wedding reception will be held at Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa. 

The pair met online and decided to come to Florida together to continue their romance after a few months of ideal dates, writing one other love notes, and tons of time well spent per The Knot

After years of dating, Austin proposed to Devyn after learning the wonderful news that baby Sawyer was a girl, and the duo welcomed their baby Avery on August 23, 2022.

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