Christian Pulisic's 89th-minute winner boosts Dortmund

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:37 am

Christian Pulisic scored in the 89th minute to give Borussia Dortmund a 2-1 win over Hoffenheim on Saturday.

The young United States star ran onto a through ball from Shinji Kagawa, took a superb touch to flick it around goalkeeper Oliver Baumann and tapped it in as Dortmund prevailed in their second straight game under new coach Peter Stoger.

"Shinji played the ball through and I was slightly too close to the goalkeeper, so I had to take a touch to carry it past him," Pulisic told Dortmund's website. "The rest was easy. It's a great feeling."

Pulisic's strike was the latest-ever goal by a U.S. international to provide a lead in the Bundesliga.

Christian Pulisic is congratulated by his Borussia Dortmund teammates after scoring against Hoffenheim.
Christian Pulisic is congratulated by his Borussia Dortmund teammates after scoring against Hoffenheim.
AP Photo/Martin Meissner

The 19-year-old, who hadn't scored for Dortmund since Sept. 20, became the sixth American to reach eight career Bundesliga goals.

Mark Uth had put the visitors in front in the 21st minute, punishing Dortmund's lacklustre defending, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang equalised with a 63rd-minute penalty.

Dortmund, who were in ninth place at kickoff, jumped back into third in the Bundesliga following a dismal run without a win in 12 games against top-flight opposition that led to the departure of coach Peter Bosz.

"We've had a few difficult weeks. Now we've won twice in the space of two games. That gives us a lot of self-confidence," Pulisic said. "It's really good to feel the support of the fans again. It's always super to win at home."