.jpg)
20 hours ago
6
Christian Pulisic is already the face of U.S. soccer, but he has the chance to elevate his profile to new heights with a deep World Cup run.
The 27-year-old got his first taste of World Cup action in 2022, but he brought even higher expectations on his shoulders in 2026 before missing time with a calf injury in the group stage. Now healthy again, Pulisic has a chance to rise to the moment.
Pulisic has risen to prominence with the support of a strong family, including his college soccer parents.
Here's what you need to know about Pulisic's family.
2026 WORLD CUP HQ: Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup tickets
Christian Pulisic dad: Mark Pulisic
Pulisic comes from a strong soccer background, as his dad, Mark, played college soccer for George Mason University in Virginia. Mark scored 35 goals in 73 appearances, earning induction into the program's Hall of Fame in 2012.
Mark went on to coach for 26 years, including 13 years at Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania, where he spent time coaching both the men's and women's teams. Mark also coached the Detroit Ignition of the Major Indoor Soccer League during the league's brief existence in the 2000s.
Mark's wife and Christian's mother, Kelley, said in 2016 that Mark's coaching career allowed Christian to grow as a young player.
"When Mark then did go coaching indoor, yeah, he was around it. He was around the guys. He loved being there," Kelley said. "And he was there with them, learning their tricks and things like that. Very young age and he just ate it up."
While the Pulisic family has Croatian roots, Mark was born in New York on Long Island.
Christian Pulisic dad's soccer career
Mark Pulisic scored 35 goals in four seasons at George Mason, averaging just under one goal every two games, and he played professionally from 1991-1999 with the Harrisburg Heat of the National Professional Soccer League.
MORE: Insider the USMNT's record in World Cup knockout games
Christian Pulisic mom: Kelley Pulisic
Pulisic's mom, Kelley, also played college soccer at George Mason, where she met Mark.
Kelley became a teacher in the years after college, at one point receiving a grant to teach in England and ultimately working as a middle school teacher in Hershey, Pennsylvania. In 2017, she took a break from teaching to start traveling with Christian as soccer began to take him around the world.
In 2016, Kelley said that she and her husband tried not to put much pressure on Christian as he started to become serious about soccer.
"I don't really think stress really was in the picture for us because I think Mark and I had a plan of not too much. And I think the parents that maybe are just go, go, go, go. Trying to get that extra training, trying to get personal training, team training, all sorts of different teams," she said. "And we didn't do that."
Christian Pulisic mom's soccer career
Kelley was a high school teammate of Mia Hamm in Northern Virginia and stayed in the area by committing to George Mason, where her older brother also played alongside her future husband.
Kelley spent four seasons as a defender for the George Mason women's team from 1989-92.
MORE: Meet USA's 2026 World Cup soccer team
Christian Pulisic sister: Devyn Pulisic
Pulisic's sister, Devyn, is married with two daughters. She found her passion in horses, as she owned a horse stable named Tranquility Stables on land purchased for her by Christian in central Pennsylvania before moving the operation to Florida in the early 2020s.
Devyn, also referred to by the nickname "Dee Dee," has been a frequent supporter of her brother at his matches.
Christian Pulisic brother: Chase Pulisic
Pulisic's older brother, Chase, has autism and has been cited by the U.S. soccer star as one of his "biggest inspirations."
"Chase has taught me to just enjoy life," Pulisic said. "The way I see him, he enjoys just doing the simple things. He doesn’t have a care in the world and doesn’t let anyone’s judgement affect him. He inspires me every day. I wish I could be like that at times; how confident he is in himself, it’s amazing to me."
In 2022, Pulisic partnered with Volkswagen for an ad campaign supporting Autism awareness.
Christian Pulisic cousin: Will Pulisic
Pulisic's cousin, Will, also plays high-level soccer, as he spent four seasons as a goalkeeper at Duke before spending time with the United Soccer League's North Carolina FC.
Originally from Virginia, Will played alongside his cousin on the United States' U17 team at the U17 World Cup in 2015.
Will Pulisic soccer career
Will made 66 appearances at Duke before getting some run with North Carolina FC in the USL. He also spent parts of two years with the MLS' Austin FC but never appeared in a game.
Growing up, Will played in a total of 28 games between the United States' U17 and U19 teams. He also played for Borussia Dortmund's youth team, which Christian played for before his elevation to the main roster in 2016.
Where is Christian Pulisic from?
Pulisic was born and raised in Hershey, Pennsylvania, where his parents settled after meeting at George Mason.
Pulisic's father was originally from Long Island, while his mom was from Northern Virginia, but his dad's professional career in Harrisburg planted the family in Pennsylvania. Pulisic was born toward the end of his father's pro career, and the family remained in Pennsylvania aside from Kelley's year-long stint as a teacher in England.
English (US)