USMNT Weekly Youth Update: We’re back...kinda

The Bundesliga has breathed life back into the sports world and with it, it’s time to bring back (a very abbreviated) youth update. For any new readers, the rating at the end of each update reflects how much I think each player should be called up to the senior national team at the next opportunity (1-nowhere near ready; 10-absolutely call him up and start him). Here’s what’s going on:

Germany

Josh Sargent - Striker, Werder Bremen

Werder Bremen came out of the break with a difficult matchup against Bayer Leverkusen. Sargent began the match on the bench and watched as his team was dominated by a clearly superior squad. In the 71st minute, he came on to attempt to erase a 3-1 deficit. Sargent saw little of the ball with Leverkusen in command, but he did display some quality hold-up play on a few occasions. He looked confident even with Bremen overmatched. They’re sinking and are in a huge hole, needing to erase a five point deficit just to be able to get into the relegation playoff. Sargent may well find himself in the 2. Bundesliga next season. Rating: 9

Tyler Adams - Central Midfielder, RB Leipzig

Tyler Adams was again in the starting lineup for Leipzig on Saturday. The 21-year-old once again played in the Right Wingback/Right Midfield position he’s been playing most often this season. Leipzig controlled possession throughout, but Freiburg was dangerous on the counter. Freiburg went in front on a flukey bounce off a corner kick in the 34th minute. With Leipzig chasing a tying goal, Adams was subbed off in the 69th minute after a quiet day by his standards. Perhaps the most notable moment was an acrobatic scoring attempt that flashed wide in the first half. Leipzig fought back to salvage a draw, but their title hopes are fading quickly. Rating: 10

Weston McKennie - Central Midfielder, Schalke 04

On Saturday, the Revierderby took center stage, and Weston McKennie assumed a spot in the starting lineup as usual. Deployed as the deeper midfielder in a double pivot, McKennie struggled in the first half while Dortmund seized command of the match. On the game’s opening goal, McKennie was late to recognize Thorgan Hazard making a run out of midfield to the right flank. His cross found Erling Haaland to put Dortmund up 1-0. He also sailed a couple attempts at long balls and turned it over in traffic a few times as well. Individually, McKennie was far better in the second half, but Dortmund still dominated as they ran over Schalke 4-0. It was a forgettable day for the Blues. Rating: 9

Giovanni Reyna - Attacking Midfielder, Borussia Dortmund

Saturday morning seemed like Christmas when I saw Reyna’s name on the Dortmund team sheet. He was set for his first career start, four years after Christian Pulisic got his first start against Schalke. However, as 2020 consistently reminds us, reality comes at you fast. Reyna picked up an injury during warmups that kept him out of his first opportunity in the rivalry. Luckily, it is a minor injury that isn’t expected to keep him out long. Hopefully that proves to be the case. With the win, Dortmund remain four points behind Bayern Munich for the league lead with a huge matchup on the horizon (Tuesday, May 26th). We’ll see if Reyna can get back before then. Rating: 10

As always, hit the comment section to let me know if there’s anything major I overlooked or if there’s anyone you’d like to hear about. Obviously as the leagues become more active, I will have more to cover. It’s good to be back!