Taehyung Kim (taehyungkim2019@u.northwestern.edu),Weinberg  ’21

The future of the United States Men’s National Team looks brighter than ever. Unbeaten in 6 matches since their 2-0 loss to Canada in October 2019 in the CONCACAF Nations League, the USMNT showed off their firepower by scoring an astonishing 21 goals in their last 6 games, an average of 3.5 goals scored per game. Although their opponents consisted of teams you would not necessarily call the strongest side of international soccer (El Salvador, Panama, Costa Rica, Cuba, etc.), the USMNT’s recent run is very impressive and worth looking into.

The USMNT has been gifted with many young and talented players that are blossoming, both on the best stages of global soccer in Europe and in the ever-growing MLS. In goal, there is promising 25-year-old Manchester City keeper Zack Steffen returning from his loan spell at Fortuna Dusseldorf in the German Bundesliga. Although his time at Fortuna Dusseldorf ended earlier than expected (due to his injury, COVID-19, and the team’s relegation), he started each of their first 17 matches (half of the full season), and recorded the 2^nd most saves in the Bundesliga during that period.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The USMNT is also gifted with young defenders who have bright futures in the European football scene. Sergino Dest (20) recently was moved in a $23 million transfer deal from Ajax to Barcelona, and has already played in 7 La Liga matches and 5 UEFA Champions League matches for the Spanish giant. The young, vibrant right back recorded 91.8% successful pass rate and 1.6 successful dribbles per game in the Champions League, and a 90% successful pass rate and 1.7 successful dribbles per game in the La Liga this season. Praised as one of the most talented prospects in his position, Dest is another promising piece for the USMNT. Chris Richards (20), a product of the FC Dallas Academy, completed his move to European giant Bayern Munich in 2019. The 6’ 2’’ versatile center defender has consistently played his way up the youth team ladder to get first team time, playing a total of 88 minutes this season in the Bundesliga for Bayern Munich, with 1 assist in the goals-galore 4-3 victory against Hertha Berlin in October. As Richards earns more first team action, it seems it will be only a matter of time until the youngster starts fighting for his place in the aging Bayern Munich center defensive line.

In the midfield, the USMNT boasts another promising line of players. Yunus Musah (18), a product of the Arsenal youth academy, has consistently started for Valencia this season in La Liga, with the team suffering after selling a lot of its starting players, such as Rodrigo and Parejo. Able to play central midfielder and right midfielder, Musah possesses the speed and agility to contribute to the fight for the ball in the midfield. With plenty of room for growth, Musah has the potential to further contribute to the USMNT and to Valencia. Brendan Aaronson (20), is another player the USMNT has benefited from and will benefit further from, as the young attacking central midfielder has impressed the MLS with his contribution to the Philadelphia Union. Joining the Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg in January 2021, Aaronson has shown an incredible work ethic as a midfielder ranging from his defensive contribution to his dribbling and short passing abilities. Tyler Adams (21) is another young American central midfielder playing for German side Red Bull Leipzig regularly this season, with 7 appearances in the Bundesliga and 4 appearances in the UEFA Champions League. A defensive midfielder and a product of the New York Red Bulls Academy, Adams has 1.7 tackles, 1.1 interceptions, and 1.4 fouls per game in the Bundesliga this season. His passing abilities as a defensive midfielder and versatility to play right back give him the potential to excel in the diverse and talented USMNT squad. Weston McKennie (22), a product of the Dallas Academy and Schalke Youth Team, has made his loan move with the option to buy to Italian giant Juventus, after consistently proving himself as a box-to-box midfielder with his stamina, intercepting abilities, and defensive contribution. The versatile midfielder has performed regularly in the European stages this season, including the most recent 3-0 victory over Barcelona. The young midfielders of the USMNT are enough to pose a threat to many different opponents in international football, and it seems as only a matter of time before this gifted midfield generation leads the US to glory in the World Cup and the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, there is the young, vibrant generation of strikers for the USMNT. Apart from the already prestigious Christian Pulisic, there is Nicholas Gioacchini (20), who scored 2 goals in 2 games this year for the USMNT and starts regularly for the French Ligue 2 side SM Caen. The prospective youngster is a keen dribbler and a skilled finisher and has the potential to start as the USMNT’s top striker. Josh Sargent (20) is another young striker playing for German Bundesliga club Bremen and has been participating regularly in the league matches starting last season (19/20 Bundesliga- 28 Matches/4G/4A, 20/21 Bundesliga-9 Matches/1G/2A). Giovanni Reyna (18) is another recent member of the USMNT. A regular starter for German Bundesliga side Dortmund this season with 3 goals and 5 assists in 11 games, this versatile, creative, and agile attacking midfielder adds tremendous value in the final third with his smooth passing and dribbling.

Overall, the USMNT boasts very talented young players across all positions, and have plenty of potential to have impressive performances in the upcoming World Cup tournaments. USMNT will look to find the right combination of these players to create great chemistry and bring out the best of all.