Yanks Abroad 2017-18: Pulisic & Friends

[Titans Bastard]

Two Americans are starting in the Freiburg-Schalke game. Weston McKennie is in the lineup, while Caleb Stanko is making his Bundesliga debut.

Stanko, who is 24, signed with Freiburg out of high school in 2011 and has had a long road to this moment:

11/12: U19s
12/13: reserves
13/14: reserves
14/15: a few reserve games, then blew out his knee
15/16: limited action in the 2.Bundesliga, but mostly reserves
16/17: loan to Vaduz in the Swiss Super League

Stanko came up as a DM, but Freiburg seems to be experimenting with him as a CB. He's starting in a three-man back line. Klinsmann gave him one cap, which came in a semifinal round qualifier against T&T in September 2016.


Geoff Cameron is out with a concussion. Yedlin starts for Newcastle against Bournemouth, where once again Hyndman didn't make the bench.

Wood has been dropped to the bench at Hamburg. I'm worried about a Jozy-at-Sunderland type death spiral to the season there.

Kenny Saeif is healthy enough to have made the bench for Gent yesterday.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Jonathan Amon made his professional debut for Nordsjælland in the Danish Superliga today. He is an 18 year old winger who signed for the club over the summer. I don't know too much about his game.

Cameron Carter-Vickers started once again at RCB for Sheffield United, who won 4-1. He apparently had an assist on a cross(!)

Antonee Robinson, a 20 year old left back, made another start for Bolton. We shouldn't make too much of a player starting for a terrible Championship team, but he's having a breakthrough season in terms of playing first-team soccer.

 

[Jimy Hendrix]

Left back, you say?

If he has a pulse, the USMNT does have to take notice.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Left back, you say?

If he has a pulse, the USMNT does have to take notice.

He was called up to the US U18s in late 2014, but didn't play any part in the last U20 cycle. This was in large part because he had a fairly grave knee injury, some sort of scary-sounding microfracture, that kept him out for a long time.

He should at least get looks for the U23s when the USSF fires up Olympic preparations. (Which hopefully should be soon, btw, they dicked around for far too long in each of the last two cycles. And without the WC, the Olympics should take on a special importance for us.)

 

[rguilmar]

Not the greatest game for Dortmund, but I found Pulisic nutmegging Robben to be arousing.

https://www.starsandstripesfc.com/2017/11/4/16606992/watch-christian-pulisic-steal-arjen-robbens-soul-with-a-vicious-nutmeg

 

[Titans Bastard]

Ethan Horvath has been benched at Club Brugge over the last two weeks. He's reportedly been a very good shot-stopper, but has struggled with command of his box and with quick distribution. Hopefully he improves, we really need someone to step up.

 

[cromulence]

Despite the loss, Bosz said Pulisic was the best player for Dortmund, and Lothar Matthaus thinks Bayern should try to get him. Not bad.

 

[InstaFace]

His nutmeg of Robben, when boxed in by 3 Bayern Munich players, which directly led to their only goal two passes later, was a borderline miracle play, practically worthy of Messi. Seriously, watch it again, it will put a smile on your monday-morning face.

https://www.foxsports.com/soccer/video/1088606275763

Not bad, indeed. I'm not sure he's Dortmund's best player, but he's pretty indispensable for them right now, at age 19. Here, have some more Pulisic porn from Saturday:

 

[Jed Zeppelin]

Like all porn it is exhilarating in the moment and sad in the aftermath when you remember what is being missed.

 

[Spacemans Bong]

Don't know if I'd call him a Yank, per se, but flicking through the Guardian's list of the 60 most talented year 2000 footballers:

Kik Pierie, born in Boston and the son of a surgeon who worked at the hospital of Harvard University, is a very smart kid, always at the highest level at school and regularly playing with older boys as he developed. He has adapted very quickly to Dutch football, so his debut for Heerenveen this year was not a big surprise. Pierie is already a regular as a left-sided central defender, reading the game well and not displaying fear. He was outstanding against PSV and was voted in the Eredivisie team of the week by one Dutch newspaper. Ajax were among the clubs hoping to sign him last summer but Pierie chose to stay in the north of Holland where he has profited from the varied training Heerenveen are providing him with. He is the only player in the Dutch under-19 team born in 2000.

He'll probably get a Dutch cap, but something for the next national team coach to keep in mind.

 

[DJnVa]

U.S. international Pulisic excelled with tearing run through midfield. He took on Bayern players one-v-one 14 times -- eight successfully -- both the most by any player in a Bundesliga game this season.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Don't know if I'd call him a Yank, per se, but flicking through the Guardian's list of the 60 most talented year 2000 footballers:



He'll probably get a Dutch cap, but something for the next national team coach to keep in mind.

Pierie has seemed like a good prospect. He's starting in the Eredivisie and he's young enough to have been on our U17 World Cup team this past year.

These sorts of players really have to have careers that thread a certain needle for them to (a) not be good enough for their first choice, (b) being good enough to play for the US, and (c) realize that their only international future is with the US before they get a single cap in a competitive game.

His connections to the US are as weak as they get - two non-citizen parents who happened to be working in the US when he was born, but barely spent any time here. To be clear, I'm not saying he's not 'Murican enough for me, it's just that players with this profile tend to be not very interested in playing for the US, especially when they have other options.

The closest USMNT comp in terms of background is Aron Johannsson, but even he spent a year in the US in his teens.

 

[cromulence]

Johannsson seems like a cautionary tale now - if he could do it again there's no doubt he'd pick Iceland.

 

[Spacemans Bong]

Pierie has seemed like a good prospect. He's starting in the Eredivisie and he's young enough to have been on our U17 World Cup team this past year.

These sorts of players really have to have careers that thread a certain needle for them to (a) not be good enough for their first choice, (b) being good enough to play for the US, and (c) realize that their only international future is with the US before they get a single cap in a competitive game.

His connections to the US are as weak as they get - two non-citizen parents who happened to be working in the US when he was born, but barely spent any time here. To be clear, I'm not saying he's not 'Murican enough for me, it's just that players with this profile tend to be not very interested in playing for the US, especially when they have other options.

The closest USMNT comp in terms of background is Aron Johannsson, but even he spent a year in the US in his teens.

I agree, but I'm always happy to find the next Tom Dooley. Or Frank de Boer as scouts in Holland are calling him.

 

[InstaFace]

Pierie is sort of a test case of whether Arena or New Manager X can replicate the one thing Klinsmann was decent at - convincing dual-nationals, particularly German ones, to opt for the USMNT (Brooks, Fabian Johnson, Green) or stick with the USMNT when they might have not bothered to (Chandler, Jones). Most of these players will opt, eventually, for the team that gives them the greatest chance to actually play at a WCF. Being a bench/squad player on a power like England (CCV) vs being an actual starter for USA may be a debate that we're able to win more than 0% of the time, given enough progress next cycle.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Pierie is sort of a test case of whether Arena or New Manager X can replicate the one thing Klinsmann was decent at - convincing dual-nationals, particularly German ones, to opt for the USMNT (Brooks, Fabian Johnson, Green) or stick with the USMNT when they might have not bothered to (Chandler, Jones). Most of these players will opt, eventually, for the team that gives them the greatest chance to actually play at a WCF. Being a bench/squad player on a power like England (CCV) vs being an actual starter for USA may be a debate that we're able to win more than 0% of the time, given enough progress next cycle.

Jones switched to the US in late 2009 under Bradley but then got injured and missed the 2010 WC.

Brooks was recruited by Thomas Rongen in 2010 when Bradley was the coach.

Chandler got his first caps under Bradley in March 2011.

Germany wasn't particularly interested in Green.

Johnson's switch was under Klinsmann just after he had moved to Hoffenheim following a disastrous two-year stint at Wolfsburg during which time he rarely played.

He doesn't look like a big player now, but Zelalem was probably Klinsmann's most impressive recruit.


IMO, there's not much of a case to be made that any of our recent managers were better recruiters than their counterparts.

 

[Titans Bastard]

U17 winger Ayo Akinola is on trial with PSV Eindhoven.

https://www.ed.nl/psv/psv-heeft-amerikaans-jeugdinternational-ayo-akinola-17-op-stage~a8c992bd/

He didn't seem like PSV quality to me, but you never know when clubs feel like taking flyers on players. Akinola came through Toronto's academy and played for their USL team in an amateur capacity in 2016, but he seems to have disassociated himself from the club this year.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Why missing the World Cup could accelerate young USMNT players' moves to Europe

“As bad as it is to miss the World Cup, there’s never been a better [time] than right now for us to build a bridge and have an opportunity for our players to go to the best leagues in the world,” said one MLS GM, who asked for anonymity to avoid running afoul of the league or club ownership.

“MLS players should feel there is less risk to pursue a move to Europe now,” said one prominent agent. “The prospect of playing time won’t jeopardize a potential spot on the World Cup roster. The World Cup often dictates players’ club moves and makes them risk-averse.”

 

[Titans Bastard]

Pulisic missed today's loss at Stuttgart with some sort of muscle injury. It doesn't sound too serious, though.

Cameron "Pirlo" Carter-Vickers had a fabulous assist today in Sheffield United's 3-1 win at Burton.


20 year old Benfica central midfielder Keaton Parks has been added to the squad for a Portuguese Cup game tomorrow. It would be his debut if he comes on. That's him in the pic below, too.

 

[Spacemans Bong]

Why missing the World Cup could accelerate young USMNT players' moves to Europe

I think it's much more that Klinsmann got proved very right about how testing yourself in Europe makes you a better player. He was wrong about a lot of other things, but I don't really respect American players who don't test themselves abroad.

 

[Infield Infidel]

I think it's much more that Klinsmann got proved very right about how testing yourself in Europe makes you a better player. He was wrong about a lot of other things, but I don't really respect American players who don't test themselves abroad.

I think the point of the article was that in World Cup years, players often don't move in January, so as to not put playing time and a spot on the WC roster at risk. A lot of players wait until after the WC to move instead. With no WC, there's no reason to not make a January move instead of waiting 8 months.

Conversely, some players in WC years push for a move because they aren't getting PT and want playing time to get onto the WC roster. Especially in loan deals. Maybe instead they go for full transfers instead of loans.

 

[Titans Bastard]

20 year old Benfica central midfielder Keaton Parks has been added to the squad for a Portuguese Cup game tomorrow. It would be his debut if he comes on. That's him in the pic below, too.

Parks played the last 20 minutes of the game for his debut. Hard to believe it's been over ten years since the last American debut for Benfica....Fredua Adu.

Parks had a role in the buildup to Benfica's second goal - a crisp, timely pass, but nothing spectacular.

 

[Titans Bastard]

An '02 Virginia kid is heading to Schalke based on this account, which is pretty reliable for news from the DC area:


This kid hasn't played in any games yet, nor is he officially listed with Schalke's U16 team. However, if he has a passport in an EU country (Hartmann? It's a real possibility) he should be able to formally move when he turns 16 in January.

An '01 midfielder in Wolves' academy named Owen Otasowie has popped up on a US U18 roster. He wasn't on the radar of any fan forum people, so I'm curious what his background is and how US soccer found him.

 

[67YAZ]

An '01 midfielder in Wolves' academy named Owen Otasowie has popped up on a US U18 roster. He wasn't on the radar of any fan forum people, so I'm curious what his background is and how US soccer found him.

That’s a Nigerian surname, one with a bunch of variant spellings so tricky to glean too much background. Transfermarkt has him down as English. Could be a young man with 2 or 3 national teams to choose from if he’s a significant talent. Good on the US for being proactive to cultivate the relationship.

 

[Titans Bastard]

That’s a Nigerian surname, one with a bunch of variant spellings so tricky to glean too much background. Transfermarkt has him down as English. Could be a young man with 2 or 3 national teams to choose from if he’s a significant talent. Good on the US for being proactive to cultivate the relationship.

It seems that the Nigerian press is also aware of him and have been a for a little while:

https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=25484

May 20:
http://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=23115

 

[Titans Bastard]

I just watched the bulk of the Monterrey-Tigres match on Univision. Jonathan Gonzalez started despite leaving Rayados' midweek match with an injury, which was a pleasant surprise. Gonzalez had a really strong game at his usual DM spot in Monterrey's derby win, which also clinched the Apertura regular season title. They'll be seeded first in the upcoming Liguilla playoffs. Gonzalez covered a ton of ground and was winning balls everywhere. The announcers couldn't stop praising him.

There are so many Mexican-Americans who go down south and the vast majority of them are mediocre at best. Historically, the best of them have topped out as non-essential players for El Tri or the USMNT: Torres, Orozco, Alvarado, Ponce, Brizuela, et al. Gonzalez looks like he's going to be a cut above that crew. He won't get full hype until he starts playing in US games but it's coming.

It's amazing how many teenage midfielders are breaking out literally just after the USMNT crashed out of qualifying. Our GKs are going to be shit, but it won't matter because nobody's going to get past Gonzalez, McKennie, and Adams!

 

[Jed Zeppelin]

You’d never guess McKennie is a teenager by the way he plays (his face on the other hand is a dead giveaway). Very calm, phenomenal passing touch and good decision maker, savvy defensive player with a knack for causing turnovers by pressure alone, and opportunistic getting forward.

Bundesliga announcer asked if he would’ve gone to Russia, other announcer cheekily responds that the USMNT would probably be going if he’d been playing all along.

Great to have these options as it means there is literally zero reason to continue committing to our worst regular moving forward.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Young Americans abroad this weekend

1. Weston McKennie, age 19, started again and played well in Schalke's 2-0 win over Hamburg. He's adjusting quickly to the Bundesliga and he's starting to feel more comfortable being a bit more aggressive and displaying his attacking abilities. In earlier games, he performed a more conservative role well.

2. Jonathan Gonzalez, age 18, started at DM and was a ball-winning monster in a top-of-the-table derby game against Tigres.

3. Cameron Carter-Vickers, age 19, started at CB and had a great assist in Sheffield United's 3-1 win at Burton.

4. Keaton Parks, age 20, made his debut for Benfica in a cup game and earned solid reviews for his 20 minutes. There's an every touch video floating around here. He has an unusual skillset - he's 6'4" and not particularly fast, but he has quick feet, good technique, and what seems to be decent vision (though I haven't seen too much of him yet). I've heard he's been tried as a DM and it hasn't gone well. He might end up as some kind of physically imposing Franken-central-attacker. We could make use of that if it pans out.

5. Antonee Robinson, age 20, made his seven Championship start of the season for Bolton at LB. Bolton are crap, but at least he's playing.

6. Luca de la Torre, age 19, made his second sub appearance of the year for Fulham and earned strong reviews. He missed the first couple months of the season with injury, but appears to be in the first team plans. DLT is an attacking midfielder, but one who is more crafty and technical than quick. I wonder whether his long-term future will be as a central player rather than a winger, and his ceiling determined by how well he can operate and think in tight spaces

7. Shaq Moore, age 21, started made his first La Liga start in a 2-0 win at Las Palmas. The right back is the first USMNT-eligible player to start in La Liga since Onyewu in late 2012.

8. Juan Pablo Torres, age 18, made his first start for Lokeren in a 3-0 loss against Gent. I have no idea how good he is, but this seems like decent progress.

9. Jonathan Amon, age 18, made another sub appearance off the bench for Nordsjælland. The winger joined the club this summer and seems to be moving up after a few months with their youth team.


The speed with which McKennie, Gonzalez, and Adams have broken through in late 2017 makes the WCQ failure even more shameful. All three probably would have made the 2018 roster.

 

[Vinho Tinto]

4. Keaton Parks, age 20, made his debut for Benfica in a cup game and earned solid reviews for his 20 minutes. There's an every touch video floating around here. He has an unusual skillset - he's 6'4" and not particularly fast, but he has quick feet, good technique, and what seems to be decent vision (though I haven't seen too much of him yet). I've heard he's been tried as a DM and it hasn't gone well. He might end up as some kind of physically imposing Franken-central-attacker. We could make use of that if it pans out.

Abola had a write up after the match. He was going to play at SMU, but got noticed by Varzim at a tournament. He ditched the NCAA to get a chance to play in Portugal with Varzim B. He joined Benfica this summer.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Abola had a write up after the match. He was going to play at SMU, but got noticed by Varzim at a tournament. He ditched the NCAA to get a chance to play in Portugal with Varzim B. He joined Benfica this summer.

He has an interesting backstory. He played for a smaller club in the Dallas area as well as HS soccer. (You can't play HS soccer and play for a Development Academy club.) His club coach hooked him up with an opportunity in Portugal with Varzim, which went well until last winter. Parks had attracted interest at that point and he and his agent turned down a transfer that Varzim's president had negotiated with Portimonense because they knew that Benfica was interested. The president got pissed, possibly because he wanted an agent's cut of the deal, and Parks was frozen out of the team for the rest of the season. He went to court and was able to get out of his contract by August, enabling him to sign for Benfica, but he was unfortunately out of action all spring.

 

[Jimy Hendrix]

"How much can Parks grow his hair out?" is my question

I didn't realize that "American Marouane Fellaini" was even an option on the menu, but now that I see a glimmer of the possibility I want to order nothing else.

 

[Vinho Tinto]

He has an interesting backstory. He played for a smaller club in the Dallas area as well as HS soccer. (You can't play HS soccer and play for a Development Academy club.) His club coach hooked him up with an opportunity in Portugal with Varzim, which went well until last winter. Parks had attracted interest at that point and he and his agent turned down a transfer that Varzim's president had negotiated with Portimonense because they knew that Benfica was interested. The president got pissed, possibly because he wanted an agent's cut of the deal, and Parks was frozen out of the team for the rest of the season. He went to court and was able to get out of his contract by August, enabling him to sign for Benfica, but he was unfortunately out of action all spring.

The Portuguese flag should just be multiple birds wetting their beaks.

 

[Cellar-Door]

Shaq Moore signs a new deal with Levante through 2022. Not sure if this means a loan is coming or just trying him up to be a rotation player

 

[Titans Bastard]

 

[cromulence]

Pulisic is healthy again and starting in the derby vs. Schalke. Pretty excited to watch him and McKennie go at it. You'd think they'll end up seeing each other a lot out there since McKennie is mostly a defensive mid.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Early yellow for McKennie on an unnecessary foul.

 

[cromulence]

Very soft yellow, but yeah, not smart.

 

[cromulence]

Pulisic cross eventually leads to a goal for Aubameyang.

 

[cromulence]

Wow, hideous own goal followed by an Aubameyang cross/Gotze finish and it's 3-0 after 20 minutes.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Kehrer was fortunate not to be sent off there. Schalke are a mess.

 

[cromulence]

holy shit, 4-0.

 

[cromulence]

Yikes, McKennie off in the 33rd minute. Not that this is his fault, but the yellow is part of it.

 

[Titans Bastard]

The old 33rd minute double substitution...

Not a great game for McKennie, but everyone on Schalke has been bad and I didn't think he was worse than his teammates. Tedesco put more experience in the midfield in the form of Goretzka to limit the damage.

 

[cromulence]

Is Stu Holden starting to follow in Friedel's footsteps and pick up an accent? He keeps over-enunciating his t's.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Is Stu Holden starting to follow in Friedel's footsteps and pick up an accent? He keeps over-enunciating his t's.

Well, it would be Friedel in reverse. Holden was born in Scotland and lived there until age 10.

 

[cromulence]

This game has gotten VERY interesting.

 

[cromulence]

Well, it would be Friedel in reverse. Holden was born in Scotland and lived there until age 10.

Oops, should've known that. I guess he gets a pass then.

 

[swiftaw]

Yedlin got absolutely abused by Watford this weekend.

 

[Titans Bastard]

A player who has struggled all season is Bobby Wood. He's in danger of having a Jozy-at-Sunderland type situation where he's struggling and his club sucks, which means that he gets no service and it's really hard to break out of his funk. Hamburg have a good young forward breaking through (Arp) which could spell trouble for Wood's playing time, although they are starting together today. Another issue that could be affecting Wood's form is his continuous minor knee issues. Wood has had bad knees since his late teens and it's something that unfortunately raises questions about his ability to contribute to the USMNT in his late 20s/early 30s.


Elsewhere, 18 year old winger Jonathan Amon got his first start and his first goal for FC Nordsjælland in the Danish league.


According to some random fan site, on-loan left back Antonee Robinson was the only solid player for Bolton in a 5-1 loss to Wolves.

Shaq Moore started a second time at right back for Levante, who were whipped 5-0 at home by Atlético. No idea as to his level of responsibility for the result.

Jonathan Gonzalez should start tonight for Monterrey in the second leg of the Liga MX quarterfinals.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Miazga scored a late winner for Vitesse against ADO Den Haag.


Keaton Parks made the bench for a league game for the first time, but didn't get into Benfica's 6-0 demolition of Vitória Setúbal.

In the 2.Bundesliga, Julian Green started and scored for Greuther Fürth. Yesterday, Terrence Boyd scored a brace for Darmstadt.