ASN: Pulisic Thrills, Mckennie Debuts, Haji Wright Scores

Three Yanks impressed in Germany over the weekend, led by Christian Pulic’s dominant show in Borussia Dortmund’s 3-0 win over Wolfsburg. Right here is Brian Sciaretta’s weekly roundup. 

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
August 21, 2017
9:30 AM

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Pulisic scores in win over Wolfsburg

Pulisic received’t flip 19 till subsequent month however he has the poise of a veteran in his prime. Whereas he showcased his expertise in 2016-17, the U.S. worldwide appears primed to take his recreation to a different degree this season.

In Borussia Dortmund’s season opener at Wolfsburg, Pulisic scored within the twenty second minute with a beautiful right-footed shot.

As good as that was, it wasn’t Pulisic’s finest play within the recreation. That may come within the sixtieth minute when he assisted on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s purpose with an unimaginable go from the precise wing. 

Pulisic was the most effective participant on the sphere in Dortmund’s convincing 3-0 win. Wolfsburg is attempting to rebuild itself from a horrible season and is already with out injured American central defender John Brooks for 3 months to start out the season. 

McKennie sharp for Schalke

On Saturday, American teenager Weston McKennie subbed into Schalke’s Bundesliga opener within the 79th minute along with his group up 2-0 over RB Leipzig. The central midfielder from Texas was lively in serving to his group shut the sport out. Defensively he helped drive turnovers and received challenges. He was cleaver on the ball and at one level efficiently took on a number of Leipzig defenders earlier than springing a pleasant counterattack.

McKennie is a significant prospect for the US and could possibly be an enormous a part of the nationwide group’s future. If he needs to make a run on the 2018 World Cup roster, he’ll need to proceed to play nicely and earn some begins. If he can push towards 1,500 minutes, that will be fairly a press release.

Wright scores in skilled debut

After happening mortgage from Schalke to Sandhausen of the two.Bundesliga, Haji Wright didn’t disappoint in his skilled debut.

Wright, 19, began the sport on the bench however got here on within the second half and scored the third purpose in Sandhausen’s 4-0 rout over Dynamo Dresden. Fellow American attacker Andrew Wooten was injured for the sport.

This can be a very promising begin to a mortgage spell for the Californian who ought to pace up his improvement whereas incomes common skilled minutes.

George continues torrid begin 

Nobody within the 2.Bundesliga is off to a greater begin than German-born American ahead Jann George.

George, 25, was a high youth participant for Nurnberg years in the past however has largely underachieved in his profession, taking part in largely for reserve groups as he has bounced round from membership to membership. His sole worldwide involvement got here in a United States U-23 call-up in 2011.

Now with newly promoted membership Jahn Regensburg, George is having the most effective few weeks of his profession. On July 29, he scored in Jahn Regensburg’s season opener. On Saturday, he scored two objectives in a 4-2 win over woeful Ingolstadt (the place fellow American Alfredo Morales did not get off the bench).

George now has three objectives in three video games to start out the two.Bundesliga season.

Cameron and Stoke stun Arsenal

The English Premier League is just two weeks outdated and one of many extra stunning outcomes got here on Saturday when Stoke Metropolis defeated Arsenal 1-0. For American followers it was particularly encouraging to observe Geoff Cameron go the gap within the win.

The Massachusetts native regarded sharp taking part in in a three-man backline. He accomplished 89% of his passes and received a excessive proportion of his aerial challenges.

With a number of uncertainties alongside the backline proper now for the U.S. nationwide group, Cameron is taking part in just like the constant drive that Bruce Enviornment wants him to be.

Horvath and Brugge into first

It’s been a superb begin to the season for Membership Brugge in Belgium which has received all 4 of its video games. Colorado native Ethan Horvath has began every of the video games up to now and on Sunday he enkjoyed his finest recreation as Brugge defeated Kortrijk on the street 2-1.

Kortrijk outplayed Brugge, holding 57% possession and getting eight photographs on body. Horvath completed with seven saves. The race for the U.S. nationwide group’s third goalkeeping spot is large open and Horvath is stepping up.

Julian Inexperienced on the market

Julian Inexperienced didn’t journey for Stuttgart’s Bundesliga opener on Saturday—which was not stunning as native media reported that the American winger is now on the market.

When Inexperienced made the transfer to Stuttgart final winter many hoped that the Tampa native would lastly discover appropriate house. He performed initially within the spring whereas the membership was within the 2.Bundesliga however fell out of favor towards the tip of the season.

With lower than two weeks remaining within the switch window, Inexperienced’s title ought to floor in a transfer. A change of surroundings is required and maybe he’ll discover choices outdoors of Germany.

O’Neill to Excelsior

After serving to NAC Breda win promotion to the Eredivisie, Shane O’Neill’s profession as soon as once more returned to limbo. Breda needed the Irish-born American again however his contract state of affairs is complicated since it’s truly owned by Appollon, a Cypriot membership for which he has by no means performed. Since leaving the Colorado Rapids, O’Neill’s profession has consisted of a sequence of loans.

O’Neill lastly discovered a house because the Eredivisie facet Excelsior introduced it has signed the previous U.S youth worldwide on a everlasting deal.

There he’ll be a part of fellow American defender Desevio Payne—the pair had been teammates on the united statesU-23 group final 12 months.