We know what Bruce Arena thinks of Jermaine Jones. He thinks that he’s got an engine, that he’s experienced and that he’s the type of player that can help the United States qualify for the 2018 World Cup. The 35-year-old was arguably America’s best player at the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Copa America Centenario.
Players are constantly under pressure. Some are weighed down by it like an anchor, others thrive under it, using it as a catalyst to perform well. Playing in front of thousands, being watched by millions and being judged on the most critical of stages can break even the strongest of men. Any additional stress, apart from what comes with the job, can be a death blow to any player’s career.
But that’s exactly what thousands of sons of famous soccer players have had to deal with while pursuing the careers of their fathers.
Fresh off of eliminating Manchester City in the Champions League round of 16, AS Monaco travelled to Caen for a Ligue 1 match on Sunday. The people of Caen began the match by applauding their achievement, and they ended it by giving 18-year-old striker Kylian Mbappe a resounding standing ovation.
As cliche as the label of “the next Thierry Henry” is, Mbappe appears to be just that. After breaking Henry’s records for the youngest-ever senior debutant and youngest goalscorer in Monaco’s history last season, he’s quickly become one of the most feared strikers in the world.
Dirk Kuyt's five-year-old son is about as good as you would expect the progeny of a very good attacker formerly of Liverpool and the Dutch National Team to be.
Which is to say Dirk Kuyt's kid is very good.
22-year-old Joshua Kimmich is becoming frustrated by his lack of playing time at Bayern Munich under head coach Carlo Ancelotti.
After getting plenty of opportunities under Pep Guardiola, who is now the head coach of Manchester City, Kimmich has been limited to 10 Bundesliga starts this season.
You all know the name. It's that (young) man again.
(takes off hat, places hand over heart)
Christian Pulisic is on ! That's the American's third goal in his last four games for Borussia Dortmund, now up 1–0 in the DFB-Pokal. pic.twitter.com/Z5W4RoUFh9
— Planet Fútbol (@si_soccer) March 14, 2017
The appointed heir to Gianluigi Buffon as Italy’s No. 1, could it be possible that AC Milan’s Gianluigi Donnarumma will eventually dwarf the Juventus legend? The 18-year-old goalkeeper was sensational in Milan’s highly controversial defeat to Juventus, recording nine saves and showcasing his strength, agility and tenacity.
Eryk Williamson, a sophomore at the University of Maryland and a potential DC United Homegrown player, smashed a half-volley from almost 25 yards out that crashed in off the inside of the left post to send the United States U-20 team to the final of the 2017 CONCACAF Championship. The victory also clinched the American's spot at the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
18-year-old American attacker Christian Pulisic scored his third Bundesliga goal of the campaign and registered his fifth assist in Borussia Dortmund’s 6-2 victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
Pulisic entered the match in the 44th minute after an injury to Marco Reus forced him off. The German international is expected to be sidelined until April with his latest injury setback.
With Chicharito entering the match in the 66th minute and Wendell pulling a goal back for Bayer to make the scoreline 3-2 in the 74th minute, Pulisic’s composed finish dashed any hopes of a comeback.
17-year-old Uruguayan striker Owen Falconis has showcased the talent to be the next in a long line of Uruguayan attacking legends. Once he gets those braces off and people stop calling him braceface, the sky is the limit.
In recent times, Diego Forlan, Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez have all come to symbolize Uruguay’s attacking threat, and Falconis has made his own mark at the 2017 South American U-17 Championship in Chile with this goal from the half-way line.