It seems with each passing game the USMNT acquires a new potential savior, the athletic, skilled player that will become a superstar and lead the U.S. to glory and cement America as a world power. Right now, fans are bandying about around five potential saviors, and we have uptades on all of them (except for maybe John Brooks, but whatever).
Bobby Wood
Bobby Wood exploded into the USMNT fan consciousness this summer, scoring the winners against the Netherlands and Germany for his forst two senior USMNT goals. In July, he moved clubs, from 1860 Munich to Union Berlin (both in the German second division) and scored his first goal for his new club Sunday against Kaiserslautern (the match ended 2-2), and has started all of Union Berlin's matches so far this year. He's off to a good start with his new club, and can hopefully break into the top division soon.
Jordan Morris
Morris has decided to play one more season at Stanford University, despite absolutely ripping it up for the national team this summer. He has hinted that he'll turn pro in December, after the college season ends. This will allow him to either join a European team during the January transfer window or begin training with the Seattle Sounders (he has received offers from the Sounders and played in their youth academy. And his mom is the medical director. So there's that). The decision to play one more college season could work to his advantage, because, assuming he turns pro immediately after the college season ends, he'll already be match fit for pro games.
Julian Green
It has not been going well for Julian Green. The 20-year-old Bayern Munich winger spend last year on loan at Hamburg, but found his way onto the field sparingly. He decided to not request a loan or transfer this year, and will instead play with the Bayern reserve team (with the likes of Steven Ribery and Tobias Schweinsteiger) in the German fourth division and try to work his way into first team minutes. This will be difficult, as Bayern are particularly loaded at the wing, with Douglas Costa, Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and Thomas Muller in front of him, among others. He did start the first game for the Bayern reserves, though.
Gedion Zelalem
The Arsenal midfielder has been in fantastic form for Arsenal's reserves, and is reportedly on the brink of a move to Scottish club Rangers, sparking a debate on whether this move is good or bad for his career. At 18, he still has a while to break into Arsenal's first team, and would do well to play against some real professional adults. He's appeared for the Arsenal senior side but not the USMNT senior side, and Juegen Klinsmann would do well to cap-tie him ASAP.
DeAndre Yedlin
Nobody seems to know what Tottenham Hotspur's plans are for DeAndre Yedlin, including, possibly, the powers that be at Tottenham Hotspur. Will he go on loan to get some seasoning? Maybe. Will he get more first-team minutes due to Tottenham's defense, in particular right back Kyle Walker, looking shaky to start the season? Perhaps. Will he spend the season buried on the bench, training with the first team but not doing much else? Possibly. We don't know. We just don't know.
The USMNT hasn't had great luck with saviors in the past (see Adu, Freddie) but these five are young, and seem to be making strides in the right direction. Time will tell, as always.
Contact The18 Staff Writer Sam Klomhaus at Klomhaus@The18.com or follow him on Twitter @SamKlomhaus
