Remember USMNT youngster Julian Green? He came on to the scene with the national team during the 2014 World Cup, most notably scoring a goal in the round of 16 match against Belgium.
Well, Green is leaving European giants Bayern Munich for a smaller club in search of some playing time. On Wednesday, Green secured a transfer move to Stuttgart. Here's everything you need to know about the move for Green.
Why is he moving?
Minutes. It's all about minutes. The kid has talent and wants to play, and even world stars can struggle to get time on the pitch at Bayern.
The 21-year-old has been with Bayern for six years, dating back to his youth days. He has never appeared in a Bundesliga game for Bayern and has just four appearances since 2013. Four games in almost three years for the club that you are contracted with just isn't enough. But hey, he did score for them this year.
This will give him a chance to make a big impact, having signed a deal until June 2019.
Why Stuttgart?
Stuttgart is a team that can use some help. Last season, they were relegated from Bundesliga for the first time since 1977. So it's safe to say that although Stuttgart is currently in the second division, they've spent the majority of their existence in the Bundesliga. The team is currently in third place in the second flight, just two points off the top and in good shape to get promoted, meaning Green could be back in the Bundesliga next year. That's great news for Americans who want to catch him in action on TV.
This is a chance for him to appear in many more matches and further develop himself. Plus, Stuttgart's coach, Hannes Wolf, is familiar with him, having coached the Borussia Dortmund youth teams for years, he knows who Green is and what he can do.
"I gained a lot of experience in the past three years. That was good, and I am thankful for it. I took my time and tried everything," Green said per the club's website.
"But that's over and done with now I have decided to join Stuttgart."
#VfB Sportvorstand Jan #Schindelmeiser: "Julian kann im offensiven Bereich auf mehreren Positionen eingesetzt werden." (1/3) #VfBpic.twitter.com/j9CvO8xkYx
— VfB Stuttgart (@VfB) December 21, 2016
How's the level of play?
The German second division is pretty solid, and it's still a really good test for Green. He should see his minutes multiply big time, and it will be good for him to get consistent playing time, which is the best way to improve. The club praised his ability to play all over in attack and that leads anyone to believe they really plan on using him.
The team's sporting director, Jan Schindelmeiser praised his training with Bayern.
"We see further development potential," he said. "He is a goal threat."
Does this hurt his chances of playing for the USMNT?
Absolutely not. If anything, the boost in minutes will help him moving forward. Even while being at such a huge club like Bayern, the lack of minutes meant his chances of being called up by the national team weren't great. But if all goes well, meaning he plays more, he should very much be in the plans of new U.S. coach Bruce Arena.
Jurgen Klinsmann called him up this year a bit and he scored two goals in friendlies. It's true that Arena likes more experienced players, but Green has a chance to prove his worth at Stuttgart and earn a big-time role with the national team.
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