October 10 is looming over both El Tri and the United States Men’s National Team. The winner of the playoff match earns a chance to represent CONCACAF in the 2017 Confederations Cup tournament in Russia. A man who would have loved to be there, facing the Americans, is Jurgen Damm.
One of the fastest dribblers in professional soccer, Damm hasn’t had the chance to showcase his worth to Mexico’s Men’s National team. At only 22 year old and with his stock ever-rising, though, Damm will get his chance – maybe not against the Red, White and Blue, but surely after the USA playoff match.
It’s a post-playoff match world that will give him the chance to kickoff his legacy with El Tri, a legacy that will hopefully match the one left by his compatriot, Chicharito.
Damm, the most expensive player ever transferred between Liga MX club sides, hasn’t been as influential with El Tri as fellow Mexican and bright prospect, Jesus “Tecatito” Corona.
The First Call-Up For Jurgen Damm
Damm's first call-up for El Tri came earlier this year, right before the Copa America and Gold Cup competitions.
Former Mexico coach Miguel Herrera hoped that Damm would feature for Mexico in the Copa America but a string of injuries left Damm ill-prepared to play for Mexico, resulting in him being left on the reserve list.
The 22-year-old failed to appear for El Tri at either the Copa America or the Gold Cup. His opportunity to leave a mark on the national team went up in smoke.
But, for professional soccer players, especially young players, it’s always important to remain upbeat. That same summer, he transferred to Tigres from Pachuca and led Los Felinos to a strong performance in the Copa Libertadores, only missing out in the final to River Plate.
With Herrera gone and interim coach Tuca Ferretti as Tigres’s manager, it was only fitting that Damm would be named by Ferretti (rumored to be replaced soon by Juan Carlos Osorio) in the squad to face the United States on October 10.
Jurgen Damm And The CONCACAF CUP
Unfortunately, we’ll once again have to wait for Damm to make his return to the national team. The Tigres player was named in the 32 call-ups, but when the team was reduced to 23 players on October 1, a noticeable absence was Damm's. It’s unfortunate that a player of his hype, skill and potential has yet to make a competitive debut for El Tri.
It’s also a testament to the talent of El Tri in his favored position, right wing. Hector Herrera and Jonathan dos Santos are just two players that have been favored to play there, depending on the line-up. It’s a tough task to take on, trying to displace players that have solidified their roles with El Tri over the years.
It can't be easy imagining yourself leading your country to a win in one of North America’s most bitter rivalries, Mexico vs. USA, and then having this taken away, especially for a player wanting to make his presence known. Failing to make the final 23-man squad for the match, Damm has set a goal for himself:
Make his inclusion for future squads indisputable.
