Young, confident Pulisic leads Americans against archrival

Christian Pulisic quickly is becoming the driver of the U.S. national team.

On Sunday night against archrival Mexico, he hopes to kick it into another gear. He has waved a warning flag.

Moments after his two second-half goals saved the U.S. in its World Cup qualifier against Trinidad & Tobago on Thursday, Pulisic, 18, told a live audience on FS1 the Americans do not plan to play for a draw against Mexico.

“It’s going to be a tough one down there in Mexico,” Pulisic said. “But we really want some revenge on them from when they got us earlier this (qualifying cycle).

“So, we’re really confident going into that game. We’re going to come out with a win there, too.”

If they do, it will be their first World Cup qualifying win at Estadio Azteca. The Americans over the past two decades have had reason for hope in Mexico City, but they never have had a young star like Pulisic.

Thursday’s two-goal effort gives him five goals and five assists in five qualifiers during this cycle. He has scored or assisted on seven of the Americans’ last eight goals.

German apprenticeship

Unlike many young Americans, Pulisic is playing in the German Bundesliga. In 41 appearances last season he scored five goals.

U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard said Pulisic is ahead of his time.

“He gets on the ball and he’s super comfortable on it. He’s never, ever panicking,” said Howard, 38, who began his professional career the year before Pulisic was born. “He gets in the box and stands his defender up. The world is his oyster. He’s special.

“These guys don’t come around very often. You have to enjoy it and savor it. We certainly are. We’re going to continue to lean on him as he grows.”

Pulisic would grow by leaps and bounds if he scored a winning goal at Azteca.

Mexico is the boss of CONCACAF and is well on its way to winning the region no matter the result Sunday.

Manager Juan Carlos Osorio guided his team to a pivotal 2-1 win over the U.S. in Columbus, Ohio, in November to end a run of four consecutive World Cup qualifying losses in that stadium.

Much has changed from that game for the Americans. Most notably, Bruce Arena has replaced Jurgen Klinsmann as coach.

Arena has lifted the U.S. from the bottom of the standings into qualifying position.

Osorio touts Arena

Osorio said Arena’s arrival is a big reason he expects a different U.S. team in Sunday’s rematch.

“The fact that Bruce Arena has been there since day one when the MLS started, I believe he is one of the managers who knows most about the league, the players and the best way Americans can compete,” Osorio said. “It will be a difficult team to play against.”

The biggest reason for that is Pulisic’s form. Clint Dempsey is one goal away from tying Landon Donovan’s all-time national team scoring record, but he subbed out Thursday when Arena wanted to get Pulisic closer to the goal.

Dempsey no doubt will pull level with Donovan eventually, but he might not even be on the field for the opening whistle Sunday night.

Pulisic, on the other hand, will be the first name Arena pencils into his starting lineup.

“With all these experiences, I am growing and learning every day,” Pulisic said Thursday. “After another big day like this, I feel more comfortable and I’ll be more confident next time I am on the field.”