Watching 19-year-old American Tyler Adams make his debut for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga, it was easy to understand why former New York Red Bulls midfield partner Dax McCarty referred to him as “the Terminator.” Leipzig raced out to a 3-0 lead as early as the 16th minute with a combination of fearlessness, speed and physicality — words that perfectly summed up Adams’ display in the midfield over that period.
The U.S. men’s national team plays the first match of the Gregg Berhalter era on Sunday just outside of Phoenix. The friendly against Panama is the first chance to see the USMNT play under a non-interim coach since October of 2017. Apparently no one cares.
The USA-Panama match will be played at State Farm Stadium (formerly University of Phoenix Stadium) in Glendale, Arizona. It’s a 63,400-seat stadium and one that has been filled for previous USMNT matches.
That won’t be the case Sunday.
The loan system in soccer can be a useful tool for bigs clubs to get playing time for their younger players. When the loan system works, it usually produces the goods — more experienced young players.
The U.S. men’s national team is in Phoenix this week getting ready for Sunday’s friendly against Panama. That match will be followed with another exhibition against Costa Rica the following Saturday to wrap up Gregg Berhalter’s first January camp as USMNT coach.
Meanwhile, young Americans in Europe are thriving — showing just how impotent the annual January camp for domestic players really is.
Schalke defeated Wolfsburg 2-1 in Bundesliga action on Sunday in a match replete with Americans. 25-year-old USMNT defender John Brooks anchored Wolfsburg, and promising 20-year-old attacker Haji Wright made a late substitute appearance for Schalke. However, it was 20-year-old Weston McKennie who made the difference for the home side at Veltins-Arena.
Tim Weah, the 18-year-old American, wasn’t getting much playing time at PSG. This was no surprise, with the likes of Edinson Cavani, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar ahead of him in the pecking order.
So Weah went on loan to Celtic earlier this month in search of more playing time.
That playing time has arrived and it didn’t take long for Weah to show new manager Brendan Rodgers what he can do.
U.S. Soccer, in hopes of expanding and improving the youth talent pool, has launched a new talent identification program at the U-14 level. Currently, however, this American youth soccer development program is only available for boys. A similar program will be implemented for girls, but they'll have to wait until next season.
There are many who remember Taylor Twellman for being a prolific forward for the New England Revolution, winning MLS MVP honors and the Golden Boot in 2005. These days, however, most people know Twellman as “the guy who’s always yelling about soccer.”
ESPN and MLS broadcaster Taylor Twellman recently sat down with former MLS players Bobby Warshaw and Calen Carr to talk about how he went from hating the media as a player to becoming one of the most visible soccer media members in the United States in an enlightening video released by MLS on Wednesday.
Hirving Chucky Lozano added one more honor to his stellar 2018 year — Concacaf Male Player of the Year, announced Tuesday as part of the Concacaf Awards. Alex Morgan joined him with top honors, taking home Concacaf Female Player of the Year for the third straight year and fourth overall.
Granted this isn’t much, but there’s nothing else we can do until the Bundesliga returns from its winter break on Friday, Jan. 18, so these friendly matches will have to tide us over.
We can’t wait to see how Josh Sargent carries on with Werder Bremen after scoring two goals in his first three appearances, as well as how Christian Pulisic fares for Borussia Dortmund during his final four months at the club, but we’re equally as excited for the debuts of Canadian international Alphonso Davies at Bayern Munich and USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams at RB Leipzig.