Pulisic's German Cup Final Goal

On This Day in 2017, Pulisic Announced His Arrival on One of German Soccer's Biggest Stages

The summer of 2017 had been one of calculated sacrifice for Christian Pulisic. While his United States teammates celebrated their Gold Cup triumph in July, the 18-year-old remained in Germany, forgoing the tournament to prepare for what many considered the most important season of his young career. His breakthrough performances for club and country—including that crucial brace against Trinidad and Tobago just two months earlier—had elevated expectations to unprecedented heights.

Now, as Signal Iduna Park prepared to host the DFL-Supercup on August 5, Pulisic faced his most significant test yet: opening the new season against Bayern Munich, German football's ultimate measuring stick. This marked the sixth time in eight years that Germany's two giants would clash for the season's first silverware, with their head-to-head record deadlocked at three wins apiece in previous Super Cup encounters. For Borussia Dortmund, it represented new beginnings under Dutch coach Peter Bosz, who had replaced Thomas Tuchel over the summer. For Pulisic, it offered the perfect platform to demonstrate that his rapid ascent was no fluke.

Bayern arrived in Dortmund carrying the weight of expectation but also the burden of doubt. Carlo Ancelotti's side had endured a disastrous preseason, losing five of six warm-up matches, including embarrassing defeats to Liverpool and Napoli in their final preparations. Dortmund, by contrast, approached the match with the confidence of cup winners and the hunger of a team seeking to close the gap on their rivals. Bayern had dominated the previous Bundesliga season, securing their fifth consecutive title with a commanding 15-point margin, but Dortmund had extracted revenge in the DFB-Pokal semifinals, defeating Bayern 3-2 to earn their place in this showcase.

As the teams emerged for Germany's traditional season opener, all eyes focused on Pulisic. The American teenager had spent the summer fine-tuning his game rather than celebrating international success. The breakthrough came with stunning suddenness. Just twelve minutes into the contest, Javi Martinez lingered a fraction too long on the ball in Bayern's defensive third. In that split second of hesitation, Pulisic pounced like a predator sensing weakness. The teenager stripped Martinez of possession and suddenly found himself bearing down on goal with only Sven Ulreich to beat.

As Ulreich advanced desperately from his line and Bayern's defense scrambled in vain pursuit, Pulisic remained ice-cold. He calmly slotted his shot past the goalkeeper with his right foot, sending the yellow wall into raptures and announcing his presence on German football's grandest stage. The goal represented far more than just an early opener. At 18 years old, Pulisic had scored against the most successful club in German history in one of the country's most prestigious matches. It was the kind of moment that separates genuine prospects from mere promising talents—the ability to deliver when the spotlight burns brightest.

Bayern's response came swiftly. Just six minutes later, Robert Lewandowski equalized against his former club, capitalizing on a brilliant long pass from new signing Sebastian Rudy to Joshua Kimmich, whose cross found the Polish striker unmarked at close range. The goal, confirmed after consultation with the video assistant referee, restored the natural order and set up a captivating contest. The match ebbed and flowed through a compelling second half, with both sides creating chances to seize control. Thomas Müller struck the post for Bayern, while Roman Bürki made crucial saves to keep Dortmund level. The tension reached its peak in the 71st minute when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang restored Dortmund's advantage with a sublime finish, clipping the ball over the advancing Ulreich after being released by Ousmane Dembélé's perfect pass.

For a brief moment, it appeared Pulisic's early strike would prove the difference in securing Dortmund's first trophy under their new coach. But Bayern, as champions often do, found a way back. With time nearly expired, Joshua Kimmich stabbed home from close range after Sebastian Rudy's shot rattled the crossbar, deflecting off Lukasz Piszczek and Roman Bürki before crossing the line. The dramatic late equalizer sent the contest to a penalty shootout, where Bayern's experience ultimately prevailed. After both Kimmich and Sebastian Rode missed their attempts, the shootout reached sudden death. Marc Bartra, the defender who had courageously returned from April's bomb attack on the Dortmund team bus, saw his crucial penalty saved by Ulreich, handing Bayern their sixth Super Cup triumph.

Despite the disappointment of defeat, Pulisic's performance had achieved something more valuable than silverware. His early goal against Bayern Munich served as a statement of intent, proving that he belonged among Germany's football elite. The American teenager who had sacrificed his summer vacation to prepare for this moment had delivered when it mattered most. As Bayern celebrated their first trophy of the new season and their second consecutive Super Cup triumph, the broader football world took notice of what they had witnessed. The Bundesliga season would officially begin two weeks later, but for Pulisic, the campaign had already delivered its most important lesson: he was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.