Americans to Watch: Gabriel Slonina

For most 17 — year old's, the even notion of playing for the senior team is tantalizing, but nothing short of an impossible dream. For us Americans, we’ve been lucky enough to have two kids of that caliber in the past few years; we all remember the hype of Christian Pulisic’s senior debut and first two goals for Borussia Dortmund during the 2015–2016 season, and I think people forget just how good Gio Reyna was immediately after joining the senior team of that same club.

But the thing is, both of these guys, like most teenage prospects, are attacking players. By a player reaches the age of around 23 or 24, any improvement before the player reaches his peak won’t be of huge magnitude.

However, it’s a bit different for goalkeepers. For those in goal, a player from the ages 24–28 is considered young.

Gabriel “Gaga” Slonina, currently playing for the Chicago Fire, doesn’t turn 18 until May. Just let that sink in.

At the height of 6 foot 4, he’s already physically there, but he’s young enough that he may grow even more. A good shot stopper and ever improving with his feet, many USMNT fans are incredibly excited about the international future that holds for this young man. That being said, we may not have to wait too long until we see him play for the Red, White, and Blue.

His performances this past MLS season, in which he started in 11 matches and secured 4 shutouts, got him a call — up to both the U — 20 squad for the Revelations Cup and the senior squad for the most recent roster of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying.

On a side note, Fabrizio Romano, who is the most credible source out there when it comes to transfer rumors, has confirmed that there is Premier League interest in Slonina. The price tag is reportedly to be around 11 million dollars, which is just crazy.

However, moving to the best league in the world at such a young age can often break a career, as players aren’t always ready to make that sort of jump. I’d also rather see him go somewhere he could start, as I don’t think any club in the PL is going to be starting a teenager in goal anytime soon. Staying at the Chicago Fire also isn’t the worst, but with the way the team plays, I doubt his ability on the ball would improve much.

In any case, any deal that will happen is likely to happen during the summer transfer window, not the January window. We’ll just have to wait and see.