ASN’s Brian Sciaretta previews the Bundesliga and a couple of.Bundesliga seasons for American gamers and coaches. What to anticipate within the 2024/25 marketing campaign and the place does each Yank stand.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
August 09, 2024
7:20 AM
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IN GERMANY, the Bundesliga kicks off this weekend whereas the two.Bundesliga received underway final season. The highest two leagues in Germany have at all times been a hotbed for American gamers in Europe largely as a result of reality there are far fewer restrictions on non-EU gamers than among the many different high European Leagues. That’s nonetheless the case, however when wanting on the contingent of gamers in Europe forward of 2024/25, it’s an unsure time for each.
In fact, issues might at all times change as there are nonetheless a number of weeks left within the switch window for gamers to return and go, however as of now that is in regards to the rockiest begin to a season in recent times for People in Germany.
With that stated, right here is the season preview in Germany for 2024/25
The Bundesliga regulars
Joe Scally (defender, Borussia Monchengladbach): the fullback from Lengthy Island was having a subpar season in 2023/24 up till late March/early April. At that time, he growth stalled and it appeared prefer it could possibly be his final 12 months on the membership. However issues modified in a short time for Scally, 21, who was very sharp the final month and a half of the season to finish on a excessive observe. He then was one of many few American gamers to carry out properly on the Copa America.
Trying forward, Scally ought to be below some stress to proceed the upswing he confirmed since April. The M’Gladbach completed 14th final season and can make a whole lot of modifications in the event that they proceed to battle.
Kevin Paredes (winger, Wolfsburg): The previous DC United homegrown made big strides in his recreation in 2023/24 as he made 15 Bundesliga begins which was up from only one the season earlier than. He additionally practically tripled the minutes he had performed for Wolfsburg up to now, and he additionally scored three objectives and added two assists. That put him onto the U.S. Olympic staff, however a great season in 2024/25 might make him a USMNT common. The objective ought to simply be to play 2000 minutes and improve his manufacturing. He’s on the proper path, now it’s simply taking greater steps.
Gio Reyna (attacking mid, Borussia Dortmund): Reyna, 21, might be one of the watched gamers within the coming weeks. Will he transfer on from Borussia Dortmund? He’s performed this preseason for BVB nevertheless it’s onerous to see him sticking round after an ill-fated mortgage final January to Nottingham Forest. He’s gifted, however he has not had a good run of constant minutes for any of the final three seasons. He can’t afford a fourth straight season of sub-1000. He’ll quickly flip 22 and isn’t very younger anymore in keeping with the requirements of this period. He must be good together with his profession selections proper now.
Lennard Maloney (defensive midfield, 1.FC Heidenheim): Two seasons in the past, Maloney’s profession was sputtering after leaving Borussia Dortmund II on a free deal. However a transfer to Heidenheim and a positional change to defensive midfield has seen him take off. In 2022/23 he performed a ton and helped Heidenheim earn an sudden promotion. Then in 2023/24, he helped to not solely maintain them within the Bundesliga, but in addition assist them obtain an eighth-place end. Maloney has a restricted function at Heidenheim, however he does it properly. He hardly ever will get concerned within the assault. He doesn’t go ahead a lot. However he breaks up performs defensively and wins duels. Heidenheim received’t shock anybody this 12 months, so it is going to be more durable for Maloney and his staff. Success for him this 12 months can be to purpose for an additional top-10 end and maybe discover a manner so as to add extra of an offensive ingredient to his recreation.
Jordan Pefok (middle ahead, Union Berlin): Pefok, 28, went on mortgage to Borussia Monchengladbach in 2023/24 and scored 5 objectives, however he didn’t do sufficient to persuade M’Gladbach to make the deal everlasting. He’s now again at Union Berlin, the place he fell out of favor in 2023. However Union Berlin is coming off a poor season and they should change issues. The door could be open for him greater than it was when he left. It’s an unsure time for Pefok and he could be on the transfer within the coming weeks if he’s not in Union’s plans and may discover a taker. He’s by no means fully confirmed himself as a top-league participant, however he’s been wonderful in second divisions and first divisions in leagues like Switzerland.
Timmy Chandler (proper again, Eintracht Frankfurt): Chandler, 34, hardly ever performs anymore however he prolonged his time at Eintracht Frankfurt to be that sub who isn’t going to complain if he doesn’t play and is there when you want him. All groups might use somebody like that. This could be the final 12 months of his profession.
John Brooks (central defender , unattached): He’s not below contract with any membership, however together with his resume, Germany ought to be within the combine for his subsequent touchdown spot. He has misplaced a step and fell out of favor at Hoffenheim the second half of final season, however he’s been across the Bundesliga for therefore lengthy, he in all probability is a reliable possibility for some groups. It simply is determined by his wage calls for (which could possibly be excessive) and is willingness to signal for a membership the place he’s not an automated starter.
The two.Bundesliga regulars
Julian Inexperienced (midfielder, Greuther Furth): It’s onerous to consider the youngest objective scorer of the 2014 World Cup is now a 29-year-old veteran. Inexperienced is a savvy veteran who is aware of the two.Bundesliga exceptionally properly. Greuther Furth believes it has an opportunity of promotion and Inexperienced goes to be a key participant in getting them by way of a season the place there’s stress. His nationwide staff days are behind him, however he’s nonetheless a really precious participant in a promotional effort.
Maximillian Dietz (defender/midfielder, Greuther Furth): The hybrid defensive midfielder/central defender performed 2308 minutes final season within the 2.Bundesliga for Furth in 2023/24. This comes after he performed simply 97 first-team minutes in his profession earlier than that. That season put Dietz, 22, onto the U.S. Olympic staff. However now he has to keep away from a sophomore hunch, and present he is able to be a key determine in a promotional effort.
Damion Downs (middle ahead, FC.Koln): In 2023/24, Damion Downs made his Bundesliga debut and scored two objectives for Koln in a season the place they have been relegated. Sadly for Downs, a concussion pressured him off the sector for a protracted stretch and it prevented him from gaining traction with the U.S. U-23 Olympic staff. Downs, 19, will now be capable to play lots within the 2.Bundesliga for Koln (which is now coached by former New York Pink Bull boss Gehard Struber). He has an upside however he’s nonetheless uncooked. He can end, however getting touches and getting alternatives remains to be onerous for him. One factor to look at for him is his involvement in video games and never disappearing. If he can become involved, he might grow to be an efficient younger participant. There might be stress on all of Koln to be in a promotional race this 12 months.
Johan Gomez (middle ahead, Eintracht Braunschweig): Gomez, 23, had three objectives and two assists for Eintracht Braunschweig final season because the membership managed to keep away from relegation. One other relegation battle is predicted for Braunschweig and Gomez has a beginning job. That’s good. However he’s going to have to be extra productive if his membership needs to remain within the 2.Bundesliga. If they arrive up quick, he’ll have some profession selections to make.
Promising Younger Yanks
By way of younger American gamers who’re totally on the youth groups of German golf equipment, there are a number of who’re progressing by way of the ranks properly and are pushing for first-team minutes.
Joel Imasuen (middle ahead, Werder Bremen): Imasuen, 19, scored objectives in droves for Werder Bremen II which was taking part in within the very low stage of the Bremen-Liga within the Oberliga. His numbers have been spectacular (41 objectives in 27 video games) however he wasn’t even the main scorer on that staff. Thankfully, he helped them earn promotion to the Regionalliga, which is a extra respectable league for a Bundesliga reserve staff. However Imasuen is knocking on the door with the primary staff and he made his Bundesliga debut in a late cameo throughout a loss in March. He was then on the bench two extra instances. It’s onerous to gauge him as a participant given his lack of minutes at even a good stage (by reserve requirements). However Werder Bremen appears to have some religion in him.
Cole Campbell (winger, Borussia Dortmund): The BVB winger is without doubt one of the greatest American teenage prospects on the youth ranges in Europe proper now. He’s a really promising prospect inside their group and got here on late for the primary staff this week in a preseason pleasant towards Valencia. Dortmund refused to launch Campbell to play within the current U-20 World Cup qualifiers as a result of they wished him for his or her preseason. Given the willingness of BVB to present minutes to high younger gamers, Campbell is one to look at.
Noahkai Banks (defender, FC Augsburg): The German-born Banks, 17. has been coaching with the primary staff at Augsburg and seems rated inside that group. He just lately signed an expert contract with the membership after practically 10 years of their youth ranks relationship again the U-10 stage. He additionally ought to be within the combine for the U.S. U-20 staff this cycle after having performed with the U.S. U-17 and U-19 groups prior to now.
Aiden Harangi (defender, Eintracht Frankfurt): The fullback from Virginia performed for Eintracht Frankfurt’s U-19 staff final 12 months within the U-19 Bundesliga SW. He has a contract by way of this season with Eintracht Frankfurt’s second staff and the approaching months will inform lots about his future there however an expert contract wouldn’t be shocking. Harangi has performed for the youth groups of the usand Hungary however his current involvement with the U.S. U-20 World Cup qualifying staff possible retains him within the U.S. set-up for awhile as leaving would require a binding change.
The Coaches
There are two American head coaches in Germany’s high two ranges this season, each of whom have been born and raised in america earlier than shifting to Germany after faculty.
Pellegrino Matarazzo (Hoffenheim): Matarazzo is without doubt one of the high American coaches within the recreation. A Julian Nagelsmann protégé, Matarazzo has a popularity for turning round golf equipment. First it was with Stuttgart, now it’s with Hoffenheim. In 2022/23, he was employed midseason at Hoffenheim and guided them to security in a relegation battle. Then in 2023/24 in his first full season, he took Hoffenheim into seventh place and a spot within the Convention League. Now the query for Matarazzo, is to construct on that success. Can they go increased? Can they make a Convention League run? Both manner, he continues to do good jobs together with his golf equipment and it’s straightforward to see why U.S. Soccer was desirous about him for the USMNT.
Joe Enochs (Jahn Regensburg): The Sacramento native has been in Germany since graduating from Sacramento State. He had a protracted profession with VfL Osnabruck the place he’s nonetheless considered one of their most beloved gamers. After teaching for 3 groups within the 3.Liga, he could have a possibility to begin a season within the 2.Bundesliga with Jahn Regensburg after he led them to promotion in 2023/24. However there are questions on this staff to begin the season. Jahn Regensburg was coasting for promotion final 12 months however collapsed within the remaining two months – solely to barely maintain on on the finish of the season. The problem for Enochs is to maintain this staff within the 2.Bundesliga. Many are predicting a relegation battle forward.
