Euro 2016 ultimate stats guide: Cristiano Ronaldo has had more shots than eight countries

Cristiano Ronaldo atira micro da CMTV para um lago EURO 2016

The group stage of Euro 2016 was completed on Wednesday night as the Republic of Ireland made it through to the last 16 in dramatic fashion and Belgium beat Sweden in Nice.

No team managed to win all three of their group games in France, but there still were plenty of good performances and fine individual displays during the opening 36 matches of the tournament.

Here, Sportsmailtakes a look at some of the best - and most surprising - statistics so far.

Robbie Brady (left) scored late on against Italy to send the Republic of Ireland into the last 16 of Euro 2016

TOTAL SHOTS (INCLUDING BLOCKS)

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) - 30

Gareth Bale (Wales) - 17

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden) andNani (Portugal) - 12

Alvaro Morata (Spain) andDavid Alaba (Austria) - 11

Yevhen Konoplyanka (UKraine),Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium) andArkadiusz Milik (Poland) - 10

Marek Hamsik (Slovakia), IvanPerisic (Croatia),BalazsDzsudzsak (Hungary), SamiKhedira (Germany),Eric Dier (England),Olivier Giroud (France) - 9

RONALDO FINDING HIS SHOOTING BOOTS

Cristiano Ronaldo had 30 shots in Portugal"s three group games - almost double second-placed Gareth Bale (17) and exactly three times as many as Belgium"s Kevin De Bruyne (10).

His total is also more than eight countries - Albania (29), Czech Republic (26), Slovakia (26), Turkey (26), Italy (25), Iceland (23), Sweden (23) and Northern Ireland (17).

The Real Madrid superstar has hit the target with just seven of his efforts, leaving him behind club team-mate Bale (12) but ahead of Spain"s Alvaro Morata (6) in third.

Ronaldo failed to find the back of the net as Portugal drew with Iceland and Austria, but he was back on form against Hungary on Wednesday, scoring twice as Fernando Santos" side secured a 3-3 draw to set up a last-16 clash with Croatia on Saturday evening.

Cristiano Ronaldo scores his first goal of Euro 2016 in Portugal"s 3-3 draw with Hungary on Wednesday

MOST SUCCESSFUL PASSES

Toni Kroos (Germany) -323

Granit Xhaka (Switzerland) -281

Andres Iniesta (Spain) -264

Sergio Ramos (Spain) -248

Sergio Busquets (Spain) -239

Eric Dier (England) -214

Jerome Boateng (Germany) -214

Cesc Fabregas (Spain) -210

Jordi Alba (Spain) -200

Sami Khedira (Germany) -195

KROOS KEEPS GERMANY IN CONTROL

Toni Kroos completed more passes than the entire Northern Ireland team during Germany"s 1-0 win on Tuesday, so it"s no surprise to see him out in front when it comes to Euro 2016"s pass masters.

The 26-year-old has made 323 successful passes at the tournament so far, leaving him ahead of Switzerland"s Granit Xhaka (281) and Spain maestro Andres Iniesta (264).

Eric Dier, who has been one of England"s best performers in France, is the only member of Roy Hodgson"s squad inside the top 10, having found a team-mate on 214 occasions.

However, it"s Spain who dominate this category, with five of the top 10 coming from Vicente del Bosque"s talented squad. Sergio Ramos (248), Sergio Busquets (239), Cesc Fabregas (210) and Jordi Alba (200) all feature.

Germany midfielder Toni Kroos has completed more passes than any other player in the tournament so far

DRIBBLES COMPLETED

Gareth Bale (Wales) - 13

Eden Hazard (Belgium) and Vladimir Weiss (Slovakia) - 10

Kingsley Coman (France) - 9

Marek Hamsik (Slovakia), DimitriPayet (France),Dele Alli (England) and KyleWalker (England) - 8

Toni Kroos (Germany), Mesut Ozil (Germany), Wayne Rooney (England), Juraj Kucka (Slovakia),Joao Mario (Portugal), YevhenKonoplyanka (Ukraine), LedianMemushaj (Albania), Nicolae Stanciu (Romania), Marko Pjaca (Croatia) - 7

BALE IS DRIVING WALES FORWARD

Although Wales" run to the knockout stages has been a group effort, talisman Gareth Bale was instrumental as Chris Coleman"s side finished above England at the top of Group B.

The former Tottenham winger has completed more dribbles than any other player at Euro 2016 (13) - three more than Belgium"s Eden Hazard and Slovakia"s Vladimir Weiss (both 10).

England duo Dele Alli and Kyle Walker have both completed eight dribbles, while Three Lions skipper Wayne Rooney has managed seven - the same amount as Mesut Ozil and seven others.

Bale also sits joint-top of the goalscoring chart with Real Madrid team-mate Morata after netting in each of Wales" three group games.

Wales forward Gareth Bale has scored three goals in three games and completed more dribbles than anyone

TACKLES WON

Darijo Srna (Croatia), Ricardo Rodriguez (Switzerland), Cristian Sapunaru (Romania), Oliver Norwood (Northern Ireland) - 10

FlorianKlein (Austria), Mergim Mavraj (Albania), Yohan Cabaye (France) - 9

Admir Mehmedi (Switzerland),JamesChester Wales), GranitXhaka (Switzerland) - 8

SRNA SHINING FOR IN-FORM CROATIA

Darijo Srna has had to deal with a personal tragedy during the tournament, but he hasn"t let the death of his father affect his performances for Croatia.

The Shakhtar Donetsk defender has won 10 tackles so far - the joint highest amount along with Switzerland"s Ricardo Rodriguez, Romania"s Cristian Sapunaru and Northern Ireland"s Oliver Norwood.

France midfielder Yohan Cabaye sits joint second on the list, having won nine tackles in just one match (against Switzerland), the same amount as Austria"s Florian Klein and Albania"s Mergim Mavraj.

Croatia captain Darijo Srna slides in to tackle Spain forward Nolito during his side"s 2-1 victory in Bordeaux

MOST INTERCEPTIONS

James Chester (Wales) and ThomasVermaelen (Belgium) - 13

Ben Davies (Wales) - 12

Roman Hubnik (Czech Republic) - 11

N"Golo Kante (France), Gerard Pique (Spain), Yevhen Khacheridi (Ukraine), Michal Pazdan (Poland) - 10

Valon Behrami (Switzerland), Aron Gunnarsson (Iceland), AshleyWilliams Williams (Wales), JoeAllen (Wales),Pepe (Portugal), VedranCorluka (Croatia) - 9

KANTE BEING OUTDONE BY CHESTER

N"Golo Kante made a name for himself as Leicester"s midfield enforcer last season, helping Claudio Ranieri"s side to the most unlikely of Premier League titles.

And while he has been impressive for hosts France, the former Caen man has made less interceptions than Wales" James Chester, who leads the way with Thomas Vermaelen on 13 so far.

Another Welshman, Ben Davies, sits second with 12, while Czech Republic"s Roman Hubnik (11) has also managed more than the in-demand Kante.

Spain"s Gerard Pique (10), Switzerland midfielder Valon Behrami (9) and Portugal defender Pepe (9) also feature in the top 10.

Wales defender James Chester, pictured in action against Russia, has made 13 interceptions at Euro 2016

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3655929/Euro-2016-ultimate-stats-guide-Cristiano-Ronaldo-shots-eight-countries.html

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Euro 2016: Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be about to bow out

Euro 2016 : Cristiano Ronaldo n"aime pas les micros

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will surely play his last international match for Sweden on Wednesday night, after confirming that he will retire from international football at the end of his Euro 2016.

If Sweden beat Belgium they will qualify for the last-16 but Ibrahimovic must know that this is unlikely. Ibrahimovic dragged his country to the Euros but even he has not looked like raising his team to the next level since they have been here.

Cristiano Ronaldo is not at the end of his international career yet, as he will surely want to stay on to play in one more World Cup should Portugal make it to Russia. But he clearly feels the same sense of frustration as Ibrahimovic, that his own individual brilliance does not translate as effectively to international tournament football as it does to the club game. Portugal are in a slightly better position than Sweden, with two points so far rather than one, but they must target a win against Hungary in Lyon on Wednesday afternoon in the hope of winning the group.

Even in his frustration Ronaldo has been a key figure in the tournament so far and yet for Ibrahimovic it was only on Tuesday, at his press conference at the Allianz Riviera stadium, that he became the story.

The last game for Sweden at the Euros will be my last game for Sweden, Ibrahimovic said. I hope it is not tomorrow. I will not play at the Olympics so I hope we go as far as possible here. Either way, I will not end disappointed. I am very proud to be captain of Sweden. Wherever I go I will always bring the Swedish flag with me and be proud of it. I will never be disappointed.

Ibrahimovic has 115 international caps and 62 goals and has dominated Swedish football for a generation. There are not many international teams who have one player who is so clearly on another level from his team-mates. Even Ronaldo plays alongside some very gifted Portuguese players, but everything that Sweden have done since Henrik Larsson retired from international football, if not before, has been about Ibrahimovic.

This is Ibrahimovics fourth European Championship and his sixth major tournament with Sweden. Even when the team has struggled he has still provided their best moments, such as his goal of the tournament volley against Ukraine at Euro 2012 or his single-handed defeat of Denmark in the two-legged play off to reach this tournament.

But this time Ibrahimovc has struggled to make any real impact on the pitch. Sweden had to win their first Group E match against the Republic of Ireland to have any chance of progressing, but they could barely threaten the Irish goal and were heading for defeat when Ciaran Clarks own goal got them back into the game. They struggled too against Italy and now Ibrahimovic must produce something very special to beat Belgium, as well as hoping that the Swedish defence can hold off Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and the rest. This story is unlikely to continue beyond tonight.

This is not as terminal a moment in the international career of Ronaldo. He is younger than Ibrahimovic, at 31, and it would certainly be a surprise if he stops playing for Portugal any time soon. But with Ronaldo there is even more of a sense of frustration at not having delivered the major trophy that his talents should have warranted.

This is Ronaldos seventh major tournament and his fourth European Championship. At the age of 19 he was part of the Portugal team that lost the final of Euro 2004 to Greece, a slip-up that they have never fully made up for. Portugal went out at the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup and of Euro 2012, a match when Ronaldo missed chances to knock Spain out before not taking one of Portugals four kicks as they were beaten in the penaltyshoot-out.

It is now unlikely that Ronaldo will ever win an international tournament, but having come that close far closer that Ibrahimovic ever did there is a certain desperation to his play and conduct here in France this summer. That explains the bitterness after drawing with Iceland in Portugals first game, and his utter exasperation after missing a penalty against Austria last week, leaving Portugal stuck on two points after two Group F games.

On Wednesday Portugal play Hungary and Ronaldo will be aiming for a victory which should help to take them further through the knock-out rounds. He is not ready to say goodbye to international football, not quite yet.

Source: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/zlatan-ibrahimovic-and-cristiano-ronaldo-could-be-about-to-bow-out-a7093941.html

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Syracuse"s Malachi Richardson talked to Carmelo Anthony before making NBA draft decision

Carmelo Anthony Full Highlights 2016.03.30 at Mavericks - 31 Pts.

New York City Carmelo Anthony was the first one-and-done player to come out of Syracuse University.

So when Malachi Richardson was in the process of deciding whether to enter the NBA draft after just one year at Syracuse, who better to talk to than Melo himself?

On Friday, April 8, less than a week after Syracuse"s season had ended with a loss to North Carolina in the NCAA Final Four, Richardson returned to his parents" home in Trenton, N.J., for the weekend.

That night, Richardson went to see Anthony"s New York Knicks play the Philadelphis 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

He got the chance to chat with Anthony about his future and his pending decision on the NBA draft.

"He told me if I felt comfortable enough to go, then go,"" Richardson said Wednesday at the NBA"s pre-draft media day at the Grand Hyatt in Manhattan. "He didn"t tell me just to go, but he said if I was comfortable with leaving school and going to the NBA, then go.""

Richardson, a 6-foot-6 guard, eventually did decide to leave Syracuse and enter the NBA draft. The NBA draft will be held on Thursday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Richardson, who is one of 19 players invited to be in the NBA"s Green Room during the draft, is expected to be a Top 20 pick.

Richardson said he had not talked to Anthony since their conversation in Philadelphia back in early April.

It made sense for Richardson to seek advice from Anthony. Anthony might have spent just one at Syracuse, but his impact on the program is still felt 13 years later. Not just because Anthony led Syracuse to the 2003 NCAA title, but also because his name is on the building where current SU players, including Richardson, now practice and train.

"You definitely got to look up to Melo,"" Richardson said. "He was the one guy that took the team to a national championship game and won. He"s had a great career and, hopefully, he gets a championship in the league.""

Their meeting in Philadelphia wasn"t the first time that Richardson and Anthony had talked. Anthony called to congratulate the Syracuse players after they advanced to the Final Four with a win over Virginia in the NCAA tournament.

"I was able to talk to him on the phone,"" Richardson said.

While Anthony"s counsel didn"t really tell Richardson what do to, Richardson still took them to heart before making his decision.

"There"s always uncertainty with everything,"" he said, "but you"ve just go to believe in yourself.""

Source: http://www.syracuse.com/orangebasketball/index.ssf/2016/06/syracuses_malachi_richardson_talked_to_carmelo_anthony_before_making_nba_draft_d.html

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Person of interest in Target child indecency case

Person of Interest 5x13 Sneak Peek #2 "Return 0" (HD) Series Finale

KHOU 11"s Doug Delony reports

KHOU.com Staff , KHOU11:00 AM. EST June 22, 2016

HOUSTON - Police have released surveillance images of a person of interest wanted for questioning in a child indecency incident.

According to police, a 9-year-old boy stated that while he was in the men"s restroom at a Target in Willowbrook, a man came into the stall with him. The boy said that the man inappropriately touched him.

Surveillance image released of a person of interest in a child indecency case.

The victim"s mother was inside the women"s restroom at the time. The victim ran out and hid under a water fountain until his mom came out and alerted her of the incident.

The person of interest is described as a white or Hispanic man. He was wearing glasses and seen pushing a baby stroller.

Anyone with information on the person of interest is asked to call the HPDSpecial Victims Division at 713-894-1971 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

Surveillance image released of a person of interest in a child indecency case.

( 2016 KHOU)

Source: http://www.khou.com/news/crime/hpd-surveillance-shows-person-of-interest-in-child-indecency-case/252366248

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Tesla Motors Inc (TSLA) Secretly Adds Over 50 HP To Model S P90D Ludicrous

2012 Tesla Model S - Jay Leno"s Garage

Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) faced some issues with the power output calculation of its vehicles last year, leading to mediation with over 100 of Model S owners in Norway and change in Model S P85Ds advertised horsepower (hp) to 463, down from 691. The issuewas mainly related to identifying electric power concerning hp and the power output, which vary on the state of battery pack charge powering both the electric motors.

Following the updating of the advertised numbers,Electrekreported that the problem has been largely fixed. Though, the Ludicrous feature rolled out on the Model X made things more complex again. The Ludicrous mode, which is an upgrade for top-of-the-performance Model S and Model X, was introduced last year.

The Ludicrous Mode allowed the company to increase the upper limit of the power output of the sedans battery pack by 200 Amps to 1,500 Amps. It reduces 0-60 mph and quarter-mile acceleration times of the Model S to 2.8 seconds and 10.9 seconds, respectively. For the Model X, the 0-60 mph time reduces to 3.2 seconds and quarter-mile time to 11.7 seconds.

Although the SUV weighs roughly 600 pounds more than the sedan, Tesla advertises that both the models have the same powertrain providing similar hp and torque 532 hp with 397kW power output with the Ludicrous. Surprisingly, Model X owners have been able to replicate the performance of the P90D (Ludicrous), while the Model S P90D owners have been facing difficulty.

Despite having more weight, the crossover has been outperforming the sedan in terms of power output in max charge state. While the top-of-the-line Model X is able to achieve power outputs of more than 490kW, the P90D sedan barely crosses the 450kW mark.

Nevertheless, aTesla Motors Club(TMC) userShotgunF15Euploaded a log file of 0-60 mph launch on his new Model S P90D, delivered in March, which shows that the sedan achieved power output of as much as 494kW.

The tests were conducted after an over-the-air software update (2.20.30). Following the latest update (2.24.30), the owner was able to achieve 672 hp with 501kW on a full-charged latest battery pack (1071394-99-A).

In response to updated Model S output, a Tesla representative toldElectrekreiterated that both of the models have the same hp and torque rating.

Separately, Drag Times create a graph of power output of Model S P90D (Ludicrous), Model X P90D (Ludicrous), and latest Model S P90D (Ludicrous):

The data points show the latest sedan is able to catch provide the same output as the SUV and before now the out between the two models varied. It is possible that Tesla can introduce the leaked Model S P100D, which would provide greater output, to overcome the issue altogether.

Source: http://www.thecountrycaller.com/22266-tesla-motors-inc-tsla-secretly-adds-over-50-hp-to-model-s-p90d-ludicrous/

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"Between Riverside and Crazy" perfect fit for Walker, Steppenwolf

STEPPENWOLF - 16 ORIGINAL HITS COLLECTION

When Eamonn Walker came to Chicago four years ago to join the cast of the NBC drama Chicago Fire as stalwart Fire Chief Wallace Boden, he didnt know much about the city that would be his home for 10 months out of the year. But there was one thing about Chicago that he did have on his radar Steppenwolf Theatre.

Between Riverside and CrazyWhen: To August 21Where: Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. HalstedTickets: $20-$89Info: (312) 335-1650; Steppenwolf.org

I was aware of Steppenwolf going back to my Oz days, he says referring to the HBO series in which he played prisoner Kareem Said. I knew of it through Terry Kinney (a Steppenwolf co-founder who also was in the series). Performing there has been on my bucket list for a long time.

Now Walker can cross that item off the list. Hes excited to spend his summer break from the television series on stage in Steppenwolfs production of Stephen Adly Guirgis Pulitzer Prize-winning Between Riverside and Crazy, a drama about a retired policeman Walter Pops Washington (Walker) who faces the possibility of losing his rent-controlled, spacious, but decaying, apartment.(Walker, who calls London home, isnt the only Chicago Fire actor staying in town. Monica Raymund, paramedic-turned-firefighter Gabriela Dawson on the show, is currently on stage in Lookingglass Theatres Thaddeus and Slocum: A Vaudeville Adventure.)

Guirgis, a New York playwright (The Mother with the Hat, Jesus Hopped the A Train) with a taste for marginal characters and profane language, has won accolades for his often edgy, sometimes funny dramas.

Director Yasen Peyankov rehearses Between Riverside and Crazy at Steppenwolf Theatre. | Joel Moorman Photo

Yasen Peyankov, who directs the Steppenwolf production, sees a strength in Guirgis characters that is unique to the playwrights work.He is drawn to characters who live on the outside, on the fringe of society, Peyankov explains. But under their veneer of tough macho behavior there is a vulnerability and humanity that shines.

Walker was familiar with Guirgis work but never thought he would actually be the right actor for one of his plays. The last time he was on stage was in 2007 at Londons Globe Theatre starring in Othello. Two years before, he made his Broadway debut in Julius Caesar playing Marc Antony alongside Denzel Washingtons Marcus Brutus. He notes Guirgis words are actually quite Shakespearean.

I like the particular rhythms Guirgis writes in, Walker says his British accent adding a new dimension to the commanding rasp Chicago Fire fans have come to know. When these people speak they become immediately alive in your mind.

These people are the steady stream of sketchy characters that make up Pops extended family. Theres Junior (James Vincent Meredith), his jailbird son; Juniors sexy, scatterbrained girlfriend, Lulu (Elena Flores); Oswaldo (Victor Almanzar), who sees Pops as a father figure and a church lady (Lily Mojekwu) on a singular mission of her own making.

Elena Flores (from left) and Steppenwolf Theatre ensemble members James Vincent Meredith and Tim Hopper rehearse a scene from Between Riverside and Crazy. | Joel Moorman Photo

And then theres the touchy subject of Pops long running lawsuit that he filed against the police department after being shot by another cop while off duty and not in uniform his former partner (Audrey Francis) and her fianc (Tim Hopper), also a cop, are advising him to settle.

Between Riverside and Crazy also has a lot to say about family and the ties that bind especially when it comes to the father-son relationship. Pops wife has recently died and she was the glue that held the family together; Junior is drifting in the wrong direction.

There is a huge gap between the two of them, Peyankov says. The question is how do they bridge that gap when theres so much history between them. They have to find a way to reconnect and become a family again.

Walker readily admits to some apprehension about stepping on stage again after such a long break.

You can imagine all the things going though my head, he says, laughing. But there was a longing and a voice that got louder and louder that told me I had to step on the boards again. I got to the point where I simply had to exercise this muscle I havent used in a long time.

Walker neednt worry; hes in good hands. In past seasons, Steppenwolf has staged several of Guirgis plays. His work fits right into the company aesthetic and this one is no exception, says Peyankov.

This is classic Steppenwolf fare raw emotions with very physical action and really well drawn out, very explosive conflicts. It actually kind of reminds me of Sam Shepard from the True West days. Its totally in the vein of Steppenwolf.

Mary Houlihan is a local freelance writer.

Source: http://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/between-riverside-and-crazy-perfect-fit-for-walker-steppenwolf/

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17-year-old Christian Pulisic proves his USMNT future is more than hype

CHRISTIAN PULISIC | Goals, Skills, Assists | Borussia Dortmund | 2015/2016 (HD)

It was a tough evening for everyone on the U.S. national team in a 4-0 loss to Argentina on Tuesday in the Copa America Centenario. The Americans had exactly zero shots all night and overall played pretty poorly in the semifinal.

But even despite that, there were glimpses -- ever so briefly -- of why 17-year-old Christian Pulisic has been called the Next Big Thing of American soccer. In a match with few positives, Pulisic offered at least one: There"s no reason to think Pulisic won"t succeed with the USMNT and make the team better, and USMNT fans may not need to wait very long either.

While the Americans looked shaky and scared for stretches of Tuesday"s match, particularly at the beginning, Pulisic never looked out of his depth. He came on at the half and played without the fear that probably caused the American to concede an early third-minute goal from striker Ezequiel Lavezzi. Within his first few minutes, Pulisic was going shoulder-to-shoulder with Argentine defenders, trying to launch crosses into the box.

He earned the Americans their only corner kick of the evening in the 67th minute, collecting a slip-pass in the box and holding up play, dribbling with calm composure as he looked for options. He attempted a cross that was knocked out, one of a few attempted crosses he would see blocked, but it was a rare moment where the U.S. actually threatened Argentina.

On an American team that played badly across the board, Pulisic played a little less badly than many of his teammates. That"s not exactly a ringing endorsement, but the teenager looked like a player mature beyond his years in a match the U.S. were destined to lose.

It"s not a surprise to see Pulisic hold up under the pressure of an occasion such as the Copa America semifinal. For Borussia Dortmund, he plays in one of the most intense professional environments in the world. Since working his way into BVB"s first team earlier this year, his job has been to face some of the best players in the world at a home stadium that boasts Europe"s highest average attendance at 80,000-plus fans.

It"s in that environment where he has excelled and caught the eye of USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann. Take for instance his first goal for BVB. It started with him and ended with him on a clever run, composed cut around a defender and well-placed shot -- the kind of cool finish befitting of a more senior player:

The USMNT hype around Pulisic leading into Copa America, of course, was always too much. It dwarfed anything the still-developing player could possibly achieve for the national team at the tournament -- and his confident but ultimately unproductive appearance against Argentina may put that into perspective. But it"s also not difficult to see where the hype came from or why so many fans were clamoring for more of him at this Copa America.

As a kid who attended his senior prom before becoming the USMNT"s youngest-ever goal-scorer of the modern era, he represents a rare breed in American soccer: A young prospect who has already proven himself at a high level in big games. Players like Freddy Adu and even Julian Green were hyped as the Next Big Thing, but neither had achieved nearly what Pulisic has already.

But how soon could Pulisic be pushing for a spot on the USMNT?

Before answering that, it"s worth pointing out: While the Pulisic hype train driven by fans and pundits alike has been moving at full speed, his rise through the USMNT has been just as fast.

Just six months ago, most American fans had never heard of Pulisic. But in January, he earned his first start for Borussia Dortmund and the next month he earned first cap for the U.S. national team. Then came the goals -- in April, he scored his first goal in the Bundesliga and in May, he became the USMNT"s youngest goal-scorer in the modern era.

Pulisic"s rise has been quick, but there should be an immediate place for him on the USMNT"s flanks. The U.S. lacks depth on the wings, where Pulisic can make a case as a dynamic, creative player who can find the right angles to cut inside. Although his speed is a powerful tool for breaking in behind defenses, he has proven he can be physical and battle body-to-body with opponents, a skill that should only improve as he matures.

Just look at what he did against Ecuador in a pre-Copa America friendly. He stole the ball, bodied off a defender, turned, and threaded a pass under pressure up the field. That isn"t the play of an anxious teenager, but a multi-faceted attacker who can read the game well:

Though Klinsmann talks about proactive attacking soccer, it is Pulisic"s skillset and his creativity that can help the USMNT actually get there. With Copa America now over, except for a relatively inconsequential third-place game left to be played, Klinsmann may be ready to prime Pulisic for the 2018 World Cup in Russia now.

Pulisic won"t be an overnight star and he will have quieter outings like he had against Argentina, but it would be foolish to ignore the ability he shows. Though he is still developing, he has proven himself to be one of the most dynamic and creative attackers in the U.S. ranks -- regardless of age. But his age is also part of what makes him such an exciting prospect: He has years ahead of him and he should only get better.

Pulisic is indeed young, but as his composure against Argentina and for BVB has shown, he is as ready as any other American to lead the way. And that"s not hype -- that"s what Pulisic has proven for club and, now, country.

Source: http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/17-year-old-christian-pulisic-proves-his-usmnt-future-is-more-than-hype-062216

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