US Youth — Hope Springs Eternal
Speakerboxx: Julian Green
At 21 years of age, Julian Green is one of the young starlets coming up for the USMNT. He was literally thrust onto the scene as a surprise inclusion to the 2014 US World Cup roster for the illustrious Landon Donovan. It wasn’t until after Chris Wondolowski (the guy Green should’ve actually replaced) filled his pants in front of goal near the end of regular time that Green’s name became one in American lore. Jurgen Klinsmann thrust the then 19 year old Bayern Munich youth into the match to perhaps rescue a floundering US team, but what came next was remarkable. Green hit a stunning volley with his first touch of the ball in a FIFA World Cup Rd. of 16 match. It was a fairytale beginning for the kid. Green has gone on to add two more goals for the US in eight total appearances.
Unfortunately for Green, under Pep Guardiola at Bayern he spent the majority of his post WC days either refusing to play on loan at Hamburger SV and Hamburger SV II or making Instagram posts about his football life. For all the natural talent Green had, many questioned his attitude to truly realize his full potential. Yet, it seems his persistence to break into the Bayern team and play nowhere else has paid off…well kind of. Under Carlo Ancelotti Julian Green is in the 23 man squad and generally the match day squad, but a promise from Ancelotti has not yet come to fruition. Carlo Ancelotti, a known liar, promised Green that he would get chances. As of the end of October 23, 2016 he has 0 minutes.
His club situation is good and bad. Players need to play to get better; however, the guys he trains with are arguably some of the best on the planet. Players like Doug Costa and Robben’s techniques, Tommy Muller’s beak for goals cannot be overstated. A loan move to another QUALITY side desperate for a forward/winger could be beneficial to his development or maybe just give him a game against a UCL or Bundesliga doormat, Carlo. Green kind of reminds me of Freddy Adu. The “chosen one” who shows out when in an American shirt, but the club situation is a little disappointing.
The Love Below: Christian Pulisic
What more can be said about the pride of Hershey, Pennsylvania, Christian Pulisic? To most fans he came out of nowhere, but many could see him on the cusp of something really great. Pulisic was one of the few surprising omissions from the 2015 U-20 World Cup team in favor of more seasoned and older American youth players. Klinsmann and the US Federation didn’t make that blunder again and invited the blossoming young 17 year old to the Copa America Centenario. Mostly a learning experience and garbage minutes as the senior players garnered most of the time Christian held his own in the tournament against very quality competition. Pulisic currently has three goals in nine appearances for the US.
At his club Borussia Dortmund under the tutelage of Thomas Tuchel, young Pulisic has seen a rapid development from his early days in the club’s youth teams. Tuchel has shown belief in Pulisic, playing him in crucial matches during the 2015/16 season and this year giving him starts in Champions League. Pulisic while and extremely technically gifted player, definitely has a high understanding of the game and it shows in his play. Pulisic looks to be the perfect player to come along as the creative midfielder the US has lacked for many years.
With all the accolades, Pulisic also finds himself in a difficult club situation. He’s getting games and that’s a credit to his ability, work ethic and understanding. However, Tuchel is a crusader of youth at Dortmund and there are plenty of young horses in the stable that will challenge for playing time. Julian Weigl, Emre Mor, Ousmane Dembélé and Raphaël Guerreiro are all young players who have featured for BVB this season. Any small hiccup in the form of any of these players could see them get gobbled up and left behind by the others.
Both Green and Pulisic are seen as the brightest forward youth products in the American player pool given their high ability and high profile clubs. While they have only played together just once, we should get comfortable hearing both of their names for years to come.
