ASN: Musah looking forward to long-awaited American homecoming on the Nations League

Yunus Musah’s worldwide resolution was a giant win for the U.S. nationwide workforce program nevertheless it was additionally an necessary step for Musah to attach together with his beginning nation – which he’ll go to subsequent week for the primary time since he left only a few months after he was born. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta writes about Musah’s huge week forward.

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
Could 25, 2021
8:00 PM

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THE PAST YEAR has been a memorable and eventful interval for Yunus Musah. The midfielder made his skilled debut for Valencia in La Liga, signed a brand new contract with the Spanish membership by means of 2026, performed often, and determined to commit his worldwide profession to the US after enjoying for England’s youth nationwide groups and likewise being eligible for Ghana and Italy.

As huge as that yr has been, the approaching weeks may even be filled with skilled and private milestones. Whereas he now has 4 caps with the US courting again to his debut in November, he has already made the roster for the Nations League and subsequent week he’ll formally change into cap-tied to this system when he makes an look within the match.

However that isn’t all, when he travels to the US following Sunday’s pleasant away towards Switzerland, he’ll return to the nation of his beginning for the primary time since he left.

“I haven’t been back in New York since I was born,” Musah mentioned from Switzerland with a smile. “I am actually going to stay there, see where I was born, see the area, and try to visit some places.”

On prime of that, subsequent week will give Musah the possibility to play in entrance of followers for the primary time since turning into knowledgeable. Whereas Valencia as afforded him the possibility to play towards elite groups similar to Atletico Madrid, Actual Madrid, and Barcelona – it’s solely doable that Musah’s second recreation in entrance of followers might be a part of the extreme United States – Mexico rivalry.

“I can’t wait to play in front of fans,” Musah mentioned. “Making my debut season without fans, that was a bit annoying. Scoring my first goal without fans, that was annoying as well. Playing for the United States, in front of fans, that’s going to be a great experience. I am going to enjoy it so much.”

Musah, 18, has been sharp for the US up to now in his first caps however his first skilled season with Valencia had a number of ups and downs, which is typical of a young person enjoying at one of many highest ranges of the sport. He began so much within the opening months earlier than enjoying largely off the bench within the second half of the season.

When the 2020/21 La Liga season concluded, Musah made 17 begins, 15 substitute look for a complete of 32 appearances and 1533 minutes – scoring one purpose. It wasn’t all the time simple and he didn’t all the time play properly, however for Musah, the expertise was invaluable.

“It’s been a great season to find out who I am about, for myself, by playing a full season in La Liga,” Musah defined. “There were so many ups and so many downs, you learn more about yourself during the down parts – like making mistakes, losing matches, being in a spot where you have to win matches, being efficient. You have to learn a lot about yourself. For my first season to play so much, I got so much information about who I am and I am going to look to take this information to next season. I played so many games, made so many mistakes, made so many good things happen, I am just going to try to improve next season.”

Musah enjoys the system Gregg Berhalter makes use of for the U.S. workforce and it greatest makes use of his abilities as a result of in contrast to at Valencia, he will get to play his most popular central midfield position with the U.S. workforce. This enables him to get extra concerned within the recreation on each side of the ball. Adjusting to the U.S. workforce, in consequence, has each simple and pleasing.

“We play a dynamic system,” Musah mentioned of the U.S. workforce. “Gregg wants us to be a hard-working team as well off the ball. With the ball, we should be exciting and create stuff. Like Gio, he’s a player you see doing exciting stuff time and time again. I want to be a part of that…  Luckily, I’ve already played a lot of midfield in my career as a young player. So, when Gregg tells me to do certain things, it feels natural to me. It’s not too hard of a system that Gregg wants me to play. It’s a system I already play. I feel that it just suits me. It’s challenging, of course, because he wants the best out of us. At the same time, it’s not really hard coming into this group. Everyone wants to help. Everybody is helping, making it easy for me.”

The upcoming week will definitely be thrilling for Musah who properly participate in a long-awaiting American homecoming. He was born in New York Metropolis however left when he was just a few months previous. From there he lived in Italy adopted by England.

This journey will coincide with him turning into tied to the US program. He performed for English youth nationwide groups and commenced to listen to from Ghana’s federation initially of the season after his debut – whereas having by no means heard from Italy. He had a number of choices and his high-quality with letting all of them go at this level and lock in his future on the worldwide degree.

“It feels great,” Musah mentioned. “It’s a dream come true. I never dreamed about this. I always want to give my best, now luckily, I get to go after my dream and I will try to give my best representing the U.S…It’s overwhelming and I am enjoying it so much. I always try to give my best and I try to improve. This is amazing. It’s something I dreamed about. I am enjoying it.”