After a number of false begins and one near-miss, Tampa, Fla., native Joe Gyau lastly made his Bundesliga debut for Hoffenheim final weekend. The speedy winger is hoping to construct on that huge second.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
Might 02, 2014
2:58 PM
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MORE THAN TWO YEARS AGO, within the dying moments of a boring, scoreless draw between Hoffenheim and Hannover, Joe Gyau skilled a second he would always remember.
It was January 21, 2012 and then-Hoffenheim coach Holger Stanislawski turned to then-19-year-old Gyau and advised him to go well with up and enter the match.
Right here it’s, Gyau thought, my Bundesliga debut.
The Tampa, Fla. native stood up, checked in with the fourth official, and his title appeared on the stadium’s scoreboard, as is the customized. However simply earlier than he may step on the sphere, referee Christian Dingert blew his whistle and Gyau was not credited with an look.
On the time, it didn’t seem as if the missed alternative could be that huge of a deal, as Gyau’s debut appeared imminent. However as destiny performed out, Gyau didn’t get one other probability that season. After which he spent all the 2012-13 marketing campaign on mortgage with St. Pauli of the two.Bundesliga, the place he noticed simply 550 minutes of motion in 15 appearances. Following that season, Gyau returned to Hoffenheim.
Because the 2013-14 season approached, Gyau had alternatives to exit on mortgage once more, however the speedy winger was decided to stay it out at Hoffenheim. Whereas prime American gamers like Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley have been content material to return to MLS, Gyau at all times dreamt about succeeding in a prime European league.
“I’d been working laborious for it for therefore lengthy that I didn’t need to reduce it quick and are available house,” Gyau told American Soccer Now. “It actually turned out to be the right decision.”
Gyau started the 12 months with Hoffenheim’s U-23 workforce and dug deep to search out the motivation he wanted.
“I didn’t try to dwell on [last season] too much,” Gyau stated. “I just tried to improve daily when I was with the second team. From game to game, I was just looking at it like it was a championship game–just another chance to get better. I was able to score a few goals for the team. I got a lot of minutes, more so than in other seasons, which was good.”
Gyau knew he must develop as a participant with the intention to break into the primary workforce and see his first Bundesliga motion. Particularly, he wished to concentrate on his ending. As a speedy pure winger, Gyau at all times had the talent essential to beat defenders on the dribble, however ”engaged on what comes after that, the ultimate ball” is what he felt was lacking.
His laborious work started to pay dividends. He began 26 occasions for Hoffenheim’s U-23 workforce this season, and he delivered objectives—seven in all competitions. After which Gyau earned a breakthrough of types in a current inter-squad scrimmage between the Hoffenheim’s first and second workforce. Gyau was chosen to play for the primary workforce and impressed with a two-goal outing.
“I was just working with my head down and then all of a sudden the first team coaches came to me and said that they’ve been following my progress with the reserve team,” Gyau recalled. “From then they really had their eyes on me and then they just brought me up. Ever since then, I’ve just been trying to take steps forward.”
Three weeks in the past Gyau was referred to as as much as the primary workforce for a recreation in opposition to Augsburg, however he was an unused substitute. The identical factor occurred the next week in a match in opposition to Werder Bremen.
Final weekend, nevertheless, virtually 30 months after practically making his Bundesliga debut for Hoffenheim, Gyau was lastly given the chance. He got here on within the 69th minute in opposition to Eintracht Frankfurt in what would finish a 0-0 draw.
“I’m feeling really good and confident,” Gyau stated of lastly making his Bundesliga debut. “I feel like I am improving. Everything is pretty positive right now. When they called my number, I was anxious. I was really excited. It’s what I’ve been waiting for a long time. To get out onto the field in front of the home crowd, it was a great feeling.”
Gyau, now 21, is considered one of many U.S.-affiliated gamers related to Hoffenheim. Fabian Johnson continues to be with the primary workforce (however is leaving for Borussia Monchengladbach at season’s finish) whereas Danny Williams and Zach Pfeffer have frolicked with the membership. United States U-20 midfielder Russell Canouse is captain of Hoffenheim’s U-19 workforce, and he felt a surge of satisfaction watching Gyau’s huge second.
“Of course I got a great feeling as well, sitting in the stands and watching a good friend of mine earn his Bundesliga debut,” Canouse stated. “Joe has been constantly working hard and has had a great impact for the reserve team all season long. Both his speed and his ability to be creative before the goal are something special. One thing I have personally noticed has been his worth ethic against the ball as well, which has helped him transition into the first team.”
Gyau’s capacity to adapt to the native tradition has helped too. He now speaks fluent German and enjoys dwelling within the nation. And despite the fact that Jurgen Klinsmann has stated there was “no demand” for American gamers in prime European leagues, Gyau has sensed a delicate shift in how Individuals are perceived.
“They all know we’re athletic,” Gyau stated. “All people on the earth respects us athletically. As we come up, among the issues tactically aren’t as much as par as they’d be within the German system. But it surely’s solely small issues like that, issues that you may be taught. As Individuals, we’ve the athletic capacity, we’ve the technical capacity. The soccer data with Klinsmann’s system is coming.”
“All people is aware of that over right here.”
In November 2012, Gyau earned a call-up to the USA nationwide workforce for a pleasant in opposition to Russia however he didn’t play within the recreation. The American participant pool just isn’t precisely overloaded with speedy wingers who’ve Bundesliga expertise, and if Gyau continues on his present trajectory he’s well-positioned to get one other look.
“I’ve always wanted to play with the national team,” Gyau stated. “That callup in Russia was a little reminder from Klinsmann that, ‘Hey, we’re watching you.’ I am just trying to work my way back onto it. With this debut, anything can be possible. We will see how it goes.”
For Gyau, his sole focus is establishing himself at Hoffenheim. The problem forward shall be whether or not or not he can proceed to earn minutes and impress within the remaining two video games of the season. Presently sitting in ninth place, Hoffenheim is protected from relegation but additionally has no probability to qualify for European play.
On Saturday, Hoffenheim will go to second place Borussia Dortmund in what may very well be one other giant stage for Gyau to impress.
“I think my future is looking bright as of now,” Gyau stated. “Getting my first team debut is finally breaking the seal. Now I can call myself an actual Bundesliga player.””I am just going to keep working.”
Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Observe him on Twitter.
