July 1, 2014. It was the 107th minute, USA down 2-0 against Belgium. The World Cup dream seemed to be all but over for the US. Then in extra time, playing what must have been the longest fifteen minutes of their World Cup, someone decided to throw away the script.
A new face on the pitch, Julian Green, – born in Florida, but raised in Germany – electrified the moods of viewers across the United States. With just one simple touch, the United States pegged one back, inspiring them to almost draw level, if not for one Thibaut Courtois, a 22-year old goalkeeper whose incredible rise to prominence has allowed him to start for José Mourinho’s Chelsea FC over legendary keeper Petr Čech.
It was that touch that inspired “Secretary of Defense” Tim Howard and the rest of Team USA to continue fighting for the equalizer. It was just that sublime finish that seems to have proved doubters wrong that he shouldn’t have been chosen for the World Cup roster. It was that all-important first World Cup touch that even inspired the great Pep Guardiola to consider him for a potential start at Bavarian giants Bayern Munich.
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Julian Green is a unique case. He grew up just like any young boy in Germany with hopes of making it to the Die Mannschaft. On the International level, he was only able to acquire 12 caps between the Germany U-16, U-17, and U-19, scoring two goals. Yet, in the Bayern Munich youth set up, he scored 43 goals, with fifteen of those coming last season with FC Bayern II. Those fifteen goals led Jürgen Klinsmann – having both played at the Bavarian club and coached the German National Team – to invite Green to train with the USMNT in Frankfurt during March. For Green, the choice was between representing Germany, his adoptive country, or the United States, his birth country. Facing the prospects of waiting in line over the next four years to work his way into one or two games for Germany’s intensely deep squad, he chose to switch allegiances for the United States of America and challenge for a World Cup spot.
Let’s be clear. This is no Freddy Adu, who was supposed to be America’s Pelé when he made his debut for the DC United as a 14 year old. As of now, Freddy Adu is plying his trade in the Serbian SuperLiga and couldn’t amass more than 7 goals and 35 appearances for the Philadelphia Union from 2011-2013. This is no Landon Donovan, who established himself as a homegrown legend of the game, yet only managed 6 appearances for Bayern Munich during his loan stint and did not even pursue a long-term deal with Everton FC. At a time when the US most needed him for World Cup Qualifying in 2013 after falling to Honduras in the opening game, he was taking a sabbatical from the game. Unfortunately for him, this choice in part cost him his chance to represent his country at the World Cup for the fourth time.
On loan this season to Hamburger SV, Green has only played 60 minutes so far and is still recovering from a rib injury which has prevented him participating in the most recent round of international friendlies. However, we must remember that he’s is still only 19 years old and has a long time to build his skillset. This World Cup cycle before Russia 2018 has at least two major tournaments in which the US are guaranteed to field their “A” team, including the 2016 Copa America, hosted on American soil. These are perfect chances for Julian Green to showcase his talent and hopefully gain more playing time along the likes of Thomas Müller and Arjen Robben at parent club Bayern Munich. As Klinsmann bolsters his squad with exciting young prospects like Mix Diskerud and DeAndre Yedlin for these upcoming competitions, Julian Green may perhaps the American goal scorer that – to paraphrase from Rihanna – ‘will shine bright like a diamond’ during the important moments of what could be considered US Soccer’s most crucial World Cycle, perhaps allowing them to assert themselves among the world’s elites.
Power Forward 