A second dose of Matthew Hoppe heroics was thwarted by a Luka Jović brace in Eintracht Frankfurt’s 3-1 Bundesliga victory against Schalke on Sunday. The Frankfurt-Schalke highlights depict the emergence of the American teenager and the resurgence of a written off star.
Frankfurt opened up the scoring in the 28th minute thanks to some sloppy Schalke defending that led to André Silva snatching the game’s opening goal.
After Frankfurt took the lead, the doubters may have thought that Schalke’s 4-0 victory last week was a miraculous fluke. But Hoppe said, “not so fast.”
Only 80 seconds after Silva’s goal, Hoppe snuck in behind the Frankfurt defense and bagged his fourth goal in two games.
Another game, another goal.
Young American Matthew Hoppe is on a tear! pic.twitter.com/AOinuBFgi5— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 17, 2021
The California native has shown no signs of slowing after he scored a hat trick last week against Hoffenheim. In two games, Hoppe has scored more league goals than Gio Reyna (3) and is only three goals behind fellow American forward Josh Sargent. Mind you, it took Sargent 53 games to score seven Bundesliga goals.
Christian Pulisic holds the record for most Bundesliga goals by an American after netting 13 over a span of 90 games.
Jović would rain on the Hoppe parade in the second half. Sunday’s game was the Serbian star’s first game back with Eintracht after being arguably the worst transfer ever to Real Madrid. Jović was substituted into the game in the 62nd minute. It only took him ten minutes to find the back of the net.
Luka Jovic scores in his first game back for Eintracht Frankfurt!
Legend pic.twitter.com/sF84X1hNst— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 17, 2021
In 32 games with Los Blancos, Jović only managed to score two goals. He bagged a brace on his return to Frankfurt with a game-sealing goal in stoppage time.
Luka Jovic DOUBLE in his return!
Unbelievable pic.twitter.com/VoxiyJEfxC— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 17, 2021
Jović’s resurgence gave Eintracht all three points, muted any Hoppe celebrations, kept Schalke in the Bundesliga basement and probably pissed off plenty of Real Madrid fans.
USMNT fans will still be pleased despite Hoppe's side losing. The 2022 World Cup is quickly approaching and a lethal striker is on every USMNT fan’s wish list. If Hoppe continues this scoring form, then the 19-year-old will get his debut with the Stars and Stripes in no time.
