Gedion Zelalem’s loan move to the Netherlands began with a win.
The U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team midfielder entered as a 75th minute substitute as VVV Venlo cruised to a 4-1 win over De Graafschap. By the time Zelalem entered the field, the damage had been done, as the second-division club punished the opposition to remain atop the Eerste Division table.
Bobby Wood’s Hamburg is far from atop the table, but they did pick up a win over Germany’s ost consistent teams. Wood started and played all 90 minutes as Bayer Leverkusen loanee Kyriakos Papadopolous sunk his parent club with the lone goal of a Hamburg win. With the victory, Hamburg sits in 16th place on the Bundesliga table.
Elsewhere, Matt Miazga helped hold down the fort late for Vitesse in a win over ADO Den Haag.
Here’s a closer look at Friday’s Americans Abroad:
FRIDAY
Bobby Wood started and played 90 minutes in Hamburg’s 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen.
Matt Miazga entered as an 87th minute substitute in Vitesse’s 2-0 win ADO Den Haag.
Gedion Zelalem entered as a 75th minute substitute in VVV Venlo’s 4-1 win over De Graafschap.
I’d love for GZ to stay in Holland for the 2 years leading up to the WC. Playing time will be crucial for his development.
Ideally all of the young guys will be fully broken out by that tournament.
Yes great Friday for the young American players and with all wins.