Monday, 14 Oct 2024

USMNT’s Strong German Connections: A Closer Look

number 18 germany soccer team

Continuing its preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the United States Men’s National Team is set to face four-time champions Germany in East Hartford, Conn. This highly-anticipated clash is part of the USMNT’s commitment to testing their skills against top opponents (3 p.m. ET – TNT, Telemundo, Peacock, Fútbol de Primera Radio platforms).

The USMNT squad is well-acquainted with the German National Team, as several players have connections to the Bundesliga, the top division in Germany.

Currently Playing in Bundesliga

  • Brenden Aaronson – Union Berlin: On loan from Leeds United, Aaronson has made a strong start at Die Eisernen this season, featuring in seven matches, including five starts. He has also participated in Union Berlin’s UEFA Champions League Group Stage games against Real Madrid and Braga.

  • Lenny Maloney – Heidenheim: Berlin-born Maloney, a product of Union Berlin’s youth academy, made his Bundesliga debut in the previous season while playing for Borussia Dortmund. He now represents Heidenheim and has been an integral part of their debut Bundesliga campaign after earning promotion from the second division. Maloney, a dual citizen of the United States and Germany, previously played for Germany’s U-18 and U-19 squads before switching to the United States.

  • Kevin Paredes – Wolfsburg: Paredes moved to Wolfsburg in January 2022 from D.C. United in MLS. Since then, the young midfielder has made 26 Bundesliga appearances, including four in the current season.

  • Gio Reyna – Borussia Dortmund: Reyna, at just 20 years old, has quickly made a name for himself. He became the youngest American to play in the Bundesliga and has since featured in over 100 matches for Borussia Dortmund, delivering impressive performances in domestic and European competitions.

  • Joe Scally – Borussia Mönchengladbach: Scally, a Long Island-born defender, has been a consistent presence in Gladbach’s back line for the past three seasons. He has made 70 appearances for Die Fohlen since joining the club in 2020.

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Bundesliga Alumni

  • Weston McKennie – Schalke: McKennie made his move to Germany at the age of 18 and spent four seasons at Schalke, making 91 appearances across all competitions before transferring to Juventus in 2020.

  • Ricardo Pepi – Augsburg: After a successful loan spell with Dutch side Groningen, Pepi moved to Augsburg and made 16 appearances for the club across domestic competitions. He recently signed with PSV Eindhoven in the summer transfer window.

  • Christian Pulisic – Borussia Dortmund: Pulisic made his Bundesliga debut at the age of 17 and spent four seasons at Borussia Dortmund. He played 127 matches and scored 19 goals for the club before joining Chelsea. Pulisic is now at AC Milan, where he has already netted four goals in the current Serie A campaign.

  • Chris Richards – Hoffenheim, Bayern Munich: Richards, who joined Bayern Munich on loan from FC Dallas, made his Bundesliga debut in 2020. He then had loan spells at Hoffenheim before making a move to Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

  • Gregg Berhalter – Energie Cottbus, 1860 Munich: USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter had an impressive playing career in Germany, spending seven seasons with Energie Cottbus and 1860 Munich. Berhalter played 184 matches in the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga, scoring 17 goals. His experience brings valuable insights to the USMNT.

The USMNT’s strong German connections provide a solid foundation for their upcoming clash against Germany. These players bring experience, knowledge, and skills from one of the best leagues in the world, which will undoubtedly contribute to an exciting and competitive match.

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FAQs

Q: How many players in the USMNT squad play in the Bundesliga?
A: Five players currently play in the Bundesliga, and four have past experience in the league.

Q: Who is the youngest American to play in the Bundesliga?
A: Gio Reyna holds the record as the youngest American to play in the Bundesliga, making his debut at the age of 17 years and 66 days.

Q: Which USMNT player has the most appearances in the Bundesliga?
A: Christian Pulisic has the most appearances in the Bundesliga among the USMNT players, with 127 matches for Borussia Dortmund.

Q: How many goals has Weston McKennie scored for Schalke?
A: Weston McKennie scored a total of 17 goals for Schalke during his time at the club.

Conclusion

The USMNT’s participation in the upcoming match against Germany showcases the strong connections between the American and German soccer scenes. With players currently featuring in the Bundesliga and others with past experience in Germany, the USMNT brings a wealth of knowledge and skill from one of the top leagues in the world.

As the USMNT continues its preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, these German connections will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the team’s style and identity on the international stage.

For more updates and information on the USMNT, visit Pesstatsdatabase, your go-to source for comprehensive and up-to-date football statistics and analysis.