While one American turned down a chance to play in Germany this week, another signed on Friday.
German Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart announced U.S. Under-20 midfielder Joel Sonora joined its reserve team on Friday. His contract runs until the summer of 2018.
“We had taken a closer look at Joel during two longer trials, and are convinced of his abilities,” Stuttgart reserves coach Walter Thomae said in the club’s official release.
“With his technique and his shot skills, he can give important elements to our attacking game. The first step is important that he settles in here and adjusts his game to German football.”
Sonora, 19, was recently a member of Argentine club Boca Juniors’ youth system. At the international level, Sonora played four games for the U.S. during the Under-20 World Cup in 2015.
What do you think of Sonora’s signing? What are you expecting from him in 2016 and beyond?
Share your thoughts below.
Nice job Joel! I too have been praised for my ‘technique’ and ‘shot skills’, just not in a football sense.
Should be a good place for him to develop.
You mean like in beer pong??
Good lord, the euro vs. MLS. Arguments here are like the Dem vs . Rep arguments on any other web site.
To some extent I agree. But, since I was the “pro-MLS” person in the comments above, let me say there is a big difference. I’m not annoyed or unhappy that Sonora (or any US players) signed with a team in Europe. I also think it would have been fine for him to sign with an MLS team. Same thing with Morris: I though signing with Bremen was a good move but can understand why he chose Seattle.
It’s the anti-MLS people who are absolutist in their position: no good player can play in MLS and any potentially good player who chooses MLS lacks ambition and is a homesick momma’s boy who should be mocked endlessly. That’s their view.
Great young player look forward to seeing how he progresses.
What a fool. He’ll never become an MLS legend that way.
Ugh how will he ever master the art of getting injured by getting hacked, tackled from behind and having hands glued to your shirt if he doesn’t go to MLS. How will he perfect the art of kick and run. What a fool to go abroad and get REAL coaching
Yawn. MLS haters need some new material. Meanwhile Sonora signed for the reserves so he’ll be playing at a level well below MLS. Europe isn’t always better. Sonora probably isn’t good enough for MLS at the moment anyway.
What a fool to have ambitions and adapt to new environments. Why would anyone in their mind want to experience a different playing style, culture, and learn to overcome adversity.