Thank you Jürgen Klinsmann. The USMNT coach convinced 18-year-old Bayern Munich Striker Julian Green, to play his international soccer in the red, white and blue.
Green holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and Germany. His father is American and former member of the military who now lives Tampa, Florida, while his mother is German.
Green’s only appearance for Bayern Munich’s first team was a two-minute cameo in garbage time of a Champions League match back in November. But the youngster plays regularly on their second team scoring 15 goals in 19 appearances this season.
Green may also be able to play in this year’s FIFA World Cup. Klinsmann had Green make his announcement months before Rio so he can have the chance of integrating him into the squad. This will give Klinsmann a little bit of leeway in choosing if Green will make the 23-man roster.
There has been speculation that Klinsmann guaranteed Green a spot on the USMNT, but in a recent interview, Green put those rumors to rest.
When asked if there was a guarantee, the 18 year old replied, “Guarantees never exist. No, I just want to perform, show my stuff, and if I’m there, I’m there. I just want to step on the gas and in the end, we’ll see.”
Either way, whether he is on the team or not, getting a player like Green to play for the U.S. is huge. And Klinsmann knows it. “It means a lot to us because this is one of the biggest talents coming through European football right now,” said the US skipper.
Jurgen Klinsmann is all smiles now that Julian Green has chosen to play his international soccer for the US over Germany. (Photo: Photo Works | Shutterstock.com]
In an interview with SI.com, U.S assistant coach Andi Herzog provided his insight and expectations for Julian Green, saying he reminds him a lot of Franck Ribery.
Big names on Bayern’s first team have also spoken about Green’s talent.
“He’s a great talent,” said Dutch winger Arjen Robben. “He already trained with [Bayern’s first team] several times, and you can see he has potential. He’s quick, he’s got very good dribbling and can score goals.”
"He plays a little bit like me,” said German midfielder, Bastian Schweinsteiger. “I’m not as quick as him, but at the beginning of my career I was playing on the left side outside, like his position now, and would come in and shoot with the right foot. And he’s done that a lot of times.”
Hearing things like this from two of the world’s top players must be music to U.S. fans’ ears.
