The United States Men’s National Soccer team has struggled to make an impact on the world stage at recent international tournaments, but there are two young players, currently plying their trade in Germany, who will be part of the next generation key to future success.
Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams have opted to play their soccer in the Bundesliga rather than stay in the MLS and both are determined to make a success of it.
Bundesliga attracting young talent
The German top flight has become a breeding ground where young, talented, players can thrive often because they are given a chance to play first-team soccer. The famous example would be that of Jadon Sancho, England’s latest star, who chose Germany because it is where an opportunity to develop was most apparent.
McKennie and Adams are no different and the US starlets have picked sides that will give them a chance to thrive – perhaps looking at the example of Christian Pulisic, now at Chelsea, who made his name at Borussia Dortmund.
McKennie spent three years of his youth growing up in Germany in the city of Kaiserslautern and when the opportunity arose to move back to the country, he jumped at the chance. The 20-year-old was offered a homegrown contract by FC Dallas but, despite his father and brothers wanting him to take it, he chose to head to Europe and test himself at FC Schalke.
“I made the right decision and I don’t regret it at all,” McKennie told the Bundesliga website when asked about his decision. “It wasn’t easy for me to let go of FC Dallas. But you’ve got to think, will I look back in 10 years and wish I could’ve gone over to Europe? I feel like if you can make it there, you can come back over here and play at a high level. But if as a kid you go into MLS and then try to come over to Europe, you might not be ready.”
Schalke are a side that often challenge for a place in Europe but with odds of 200/1 to win the title in Bundesliga betting markets, they are not one of the front runners. This, however, will play into McKennie’s hands as he’ll see more time on the pitch than he would at a bigger club.
The same can be said of Tyler Adams, another 20-year-old hoping to develop, this time with RB Leipzig. He admitted seeing players like Jermaine Jones and Christian Pulisic doing so well in Germany tempted him to take the leap and head abroad, too.
US players thriving in the Bundesliga
McKennie and Adams are just two of the many US stars making a name for themselves in the European country. Pulisic may have been a pioneer over the last few seasons but he is not the only American playing soccer in Germany.
Julian Green, John Brooks, Josh Sargent, Joe Gyau and Bobby Wood are all with German clubs just proving what an attractive place it is for foreign players to come and make the most of the opportunities afforded to them
If McKennie and Adams turn into the next US stars to come out of the Bundesliga then they will inspire the next generation to follow suit, which can only be a good thing for US soccer.