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Top five U.S. players abroad who need bounce-back seasons

As we near the end of July that means European seasons will be shortly kicking off across the pond.

For numerous American players, the goal of returning to the U.S. Men’s National Team fold relies on strong domestic seasons for their respective clubs. With plenty of MLS players still in regular-season play by the time the inaugural Concacaf Nations League begins, Gregg Berhalter may be pressed to make several changes to his roster for matches against Canada and Cuba.

2020 also begins World Cup qualifying for the USMNT as they try to get back onto the path towards Qatar come 2022. Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams are a trio of faces for the USMNT for years to come, but other players will need to step up for competitive matches in the near future.

Here’s a closer look at five players who need a strong season abroad for a chance of returning to the USMNT fold:

1.) Bobby Wood

Once labeled as an up-and-coming forward for the USMNT, Bobby Wood has fallen off in the last year. Spending 2018-19 on-loan with relegated Hannover 96, Wood struggled for consistency in what was a step back in his progression. The 26-year-old scored only three goals in 20 appearances for Hannover, while dealing with injuries as well.

With options like Gyasi Zardes, Jozy Altidore and Josh Sargent for Berhalter to call on, Wood will need to score plenty of goals for Hamburg in the 2. Bundesliga this campaign. Wood’s numbers have been better in Germany’s second-tier than in the top-flight, but another drop off domestically could call for the end of Wood’s time with the USMNT.

2.) Lynden Gooch

23-year-old Lynden Gooch started off on a tear for English third-tier side Sunderland, but saw his production decrease as last season went on. Gooch, a winger that can play either on the left or right side, totaled six goals and seven assists in 41 combined appearances for the Black Cats. Sadly, Sunderland missed out on promotion back to the EFL Championship in which Gooch did not feature in a 1-0 playoff final loss to Charlton Athletic.

With Sunderland retooling for another go at promotion, Gooch needs to show consistency throughout the entire season. His lack of production near the end of the season saw other players get the nod over him in Jack Ross’ starting XI and he cannot afford for another step back. Despite being a physical and gritty attacking player, Gooch’s chances of making it back to the USMNT will continue to drop if he cannot produce at club level.

3.) Timothy Chandler

Gregg Berhalter has proven that veterans still have a place with the USMNT and Timothy Chandler is one that could put his name back in the hat with a strong and healthy season in Germany.

The 29-year-old made only one appearance last season with Eintracht Frankfurt due to injuries, but has appeared for the club in preseason this summer. He also dressed in both Europa League ties against Chelsea last season, but did not appear. A versatile defender, Chandler could help the USMNT if he bounces back and stays healthy for Frankfurt.

Prior to his injury-riddled 2018-19, Chandler scored two goals and added eight assists in Bundesliga play while playing a number of different positions. If Tim Ream can get the start at left back on multiple occasions, Chandler could get himself back into the fold.

4.) Romain Gall

Romain Gall seemed a likely candidate for the USMNT after his 13-goal haul in Sweden in 2018, however his stock has dropped after a recent lack of production with Malmo.

Gall just recently found the back of the net for the Swedish leaders in Europa League qualifiers, ending a 10-match spell without a point. The 24-year-old is a clever attacker who has played in midfield and on the wing for Malmo, but will need to replicate his 2018 numbers this season for a chance of coming back into the USMNT.

Gall could play in the Europa League group stage, should Malmo advance from qualifying which could pit him against tougher competition.

5.) Kenny Saief

Another player with high expectations when he first came into the USMNT fold was Kenny Saief.

The Israeli-American made his name abroad with Gent and Anderlecht, but saw his playing time decrease in Belgium. A move to FC Cincinnati on-loan looked like a perfect opportunity for Saief to not only produce goals and assists, but also do it in the U.S.

However, Saief is injured and had been linked with a return to Anderlecht after FC Cincy wanted to end his loan early. At 25-years-old, Saief still has time to return to the USMNT fold, but will need to put his problems behind him and get back onto the field for any chance of that happening.

Comments

  1. I like Wood over Zardes AND Altidore any day of the week and twice on any leap year day. He has scored in key matches for the US, something neither Altidore nor Zardes have ever done. Every time I see Altidore on the field, I am reminded how pathetic our men’s team is.

    And MLS may not be deVry, but it certainly ain’t DIV I NCAA football at Alabama. MLS as a league is probably slightly below championship in England, but with fewer games and fewer meaningful games and a longer offseason. If you can start in MLS and excel you can probably go to a second tier league in a top 4 country and play – if you have the sharp elbows required.

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  2. You missed the part where Chandler dressed both ties for Frankfurt in Europa League semi final against Chelsea two months ago in 5/2/2019.

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    • Appearances means he got on the field. He didn’t play in any of 3 Europa matches he dressed for and played 16 minutes in one of four matches he dressed for in Bundesliga.

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      • You missed my point, I am not slow! I know the difference between dressing and an appearance! SMH! .My point was, he is not injured. He is in somewhat form, if he is still making the first team bench! When over thinking goes horribly wrong by: JohnnyRazor

      • “When over thinking goes horribly wrong by: JohnnyRazor” ???

        “Chandler played 16 minutes in a match that was 1-6 after 31 minutes. That’s the only minutes he had all season. That kind of seems like a disappointing season to me…..”

        Hmmmmm, Bradley, Trapp, Altidore and Zardes played zero minutes in the Bundesliga, in a match that was 1-6 after 31 minutes. they had zero minutes all season. You know why??? BECAUSE CURRENTLY THEY CANNOT PLAY IN THE BUNDESLIGA ???

        When students are having a hard time at Yale, don’t compare them to other students having C’s at DeVry….hahaha?

    • The article is about guys who need a good season after a disappointing one. Chandler played 16 minutes in a match that was 1-6 after 31 minutes. That’s the only minutes he had all season. That kind of seems like a disappointing season to me.

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  3. “Top five U.S. players abroad who need bounce-back seasons to make it into the national team…..because sucking in MLS doesn’t matter, as it can still guarantee’s you a spot on the national team roster”…….gotta love it!!!!

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    • Valued by his club as less than our back up U20 CF, part time starter for team in league worse than MLS, played 16 minutes all season due to multiple injuries, can’t find field in Sweden worse league than MLS, threw a hissy because he hadn’t realized the team was signing with wasn’t good and got sent back after three months. None really making credible claims that they deserved to be in the NT.

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      • Johnnyrazor,
        As a whole, a student struggling at Harvard, Stanford or Yale is better than a student cruising effortlessly through DeVry, Strayer and University of Phoenix…..

        To show you their level of play when these players have given up the fight and are near RETIREMENT….guess were they are coming?? MLS, perfect example 34 year old Jonathan Bornstein!!!!!.A league where Altidore, Bradley, Zardes, Wil Trapp etc, ARE NOT EVEN THE BEST AT WHAT THEY DO ………being out scored by CJ Sapong and Wondo, playing on teams that are 8th and 11th IN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE alone!!!! What if the conferences where combined (8 teams in the Western Conference have more points than Toronto and Columbus)????

        You don’t compare players fighting for a spot in top leagues and battling through injuries to players who are playing on a bottom to mid-level team in MLS and are content with lazy play, bad first touches, slow pace of the game and mediocry. MLS can’t even compete with Liga MX …..So regardless of play time at least these players are still in the fight to stay in these top leagues

        “To be a champion, compete; to be a great champion, compete with the best; but to be the greatest champion, compete with yourself.”
        ― Matshona Dhliwayo

      • When you compared MLS to DeVry you’d already lost the argument. That’s just ridiculous. You also brought Trapp and Bradley in when none of the players in the article are DMs (yes I know Chandler played there when his team had injuries but it’s like saying Weston is a CF). Altidore over the last 5 years (since Wood started getting regular calls) has 17 NT goals Wood has 13 same number of goals the last three years so nope Wood is not better than Altidore just because he is in Europe. Gooch choosing to resign with a League One club is not challenging himself, Gall is in Sweden which is ranked 22nd in Europe behind Scotland and Norway, and Saief did nothing in MLS.

      • When you compared MLS to DeVry you’d already lost the argument. Hahahahahaha, when talking about EPL and Bundesliga, MLS IS DEVRY ???……Arguing that fact means you are clueless about the beautiful game

        “You also brought Trapp and Bradley in when none of the players in the article are DMs.”. Hahahahaha sometime I wonder if you even read what I post….here you are jumping in with your foot in your mouth, I said “because sucking in MLS doesn’t matter, as it can still guarantee’s you a spot on the national team roster”. Hmmmm, lets see….what does DM or CM or RB matter in this conversation. The key word you missed there was MLS!!!!! ???

        -“Altidore over the last 5 years (since Wood started getting regular calls) has 17 NT goals Wood has 13 same number of goals the last three years so nope Wood is not better than Altidore just because he is in Europe.”…Chris wondolowski has out scored Altidore ( if you dare tally goals for the last 5 year hahahahahaha) why are you trying to compare him with Wood when he is getting spanked in this league by a retiree….year after year??? ???

        Gooch choosing to resign with a League One club is not challenging himself – don’t care about Gooch…..he is playing in a lower league than MLS

        “Gall is in Sweden which is ranked 22nd in Europe behind Scotland and Norway, and Saief did nothing in MLS”…..here you are clueless again. Saief’s time was cut short BECAUSE OF INJURIES and compared to Bradley he did a lot lol ???

        AGAIN….a student struggling at Harvard, Stanford or Yale is better than a student cruising effortlessly through DeVry, Strayer and University of Phoenix….HAHAHAHA

  4. I like Wood over Zardes, anytime.

    Gooch, needs to get promotion to stronger league.

    Chandler has a future in MLS.

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