Taking on more responsibility is nothing new for young American midfielder Yunus Musah. The 19-year-old Valencia product was swiftly thrown into the first team of the Spanish club last season when the team was desperate for warm bodies after arrivals did not come in to match the team's departures. Valencia needed players to put on the field, so Musah, as a young player, got exactly what all young players want -- minutes. At least partially as a result of that opportunity he went from having no role with the United States men's national team to being ever-present on the roster after declaring for the U.S. last year. Now with Weston Mckennie hurt, he could have the opportunity again when the United States men's national team travels to Mexico on Thursday, March 24 (you can catch the match on Paramount+)
His time with both teams has seen some some growing pains. Valencia struggled for consistency in the league for the very reason that Musah saw so many minutes, the team was burdened with countless injuries and relied on youth out of necessity. Meanwhile, the United States has had its ups and downs when it comes to qualifying as they move closer to making it back to the global competition. But he's getting minutes with both, and nothing is better for his progression.
His role only figures to increase with the U.S. now. With Weston McKennie out for the rest of World Cup qualifying due to his broken foot, don't be surprised if Musah is tasked with filling McKennie's role, albeit differently. They are two different players in terms of their physique and style, but both offer plenty going forward. With McKennie out, the time is now for Musah to deliver and help the U.S. punch its ticket to Qatar.
Musah has never been shy when it comes to stepping up and doing what is needed. From playing different positions for both club and country, he's shown a willingness to be able to adapt.
"I've been learning every day from different managers, from my teammates. I have great teammates, very top players. It's important to keep learning from them day after day. I've played quite a few matches at my age. It's important to take that as a learning opportunity," Musah said in a recent media roundtable.
While domestically Valencia have dealt with injuries and struggled in defense, there is a sense of belief in this team after advancing to the Copa del Rey final behind the magic of Mestalla. They'll play Real Betis on April 23, giving Musah his first chance at club silverware by winning the prestigious Spanish cup, which the club won in 2018-19 beating Barcelona in the final.
After playing regularly last season, this year, Musah's season started off slow, dealing with injuries and playing very little. Recently that has changed quite a bit. He's regularly playing in cup games and has started his team's last seven matches in La Liga. That came after getting 80 total minutes in the team's previous nine games. To Musah's credit he's taken the inconsistency in stride and demonstrated that he has a lot of room to grow, even playing at a club that deals with more turmoil than most. The increased minutes have been as a result of manager Jose Bordalas seeing constant improvement in a player he uses on the wing, while Berhalter puts him at center midfield.
"Every player wants to play. Everyone wants to be participating and be important in the team. I came from injury in the beginning of the season, but the manager is always putting me on at the end of the matches, showing faith in me. I have been working really hard and it has been paying off. And the manager has been giving me trust to start the games now," Musah said.
Musah credits Jose Bordalas with helping him improve quickly while focusing on how he can be a more complete player. Bordalas made his name at Getafe with a style of soccer that doesn't just rub some the wrong way, it leaves opponents with plenty of bruises. A physical style where stopping momentum with foul after foul can leave opponents frustrated. It's worked fairly well in his first season at the club as they could be on the verge of a major trophy. Valencia just eliminated Athletic Bilbao and former cup-winning manager at the club, Marcelino, in the semifinals. For Musah, Bordalas has keyed in on what he can do better defensively.
"He's been helping me a lot to take my game to another level, you know. He's always giving me messages to help my defensive game, my attacking game. He's definitely been giving me a lot of details on that," Musah said. "I'm just trying to learn. When I start doing it in training he sees it. I think that is why maybe he is giving me more opportunities now, I don't know. I try my best. Every coach I have, if you listen to them, everyone wants to make you better. That's the key.
"As you can see, my stats, I don't really win a lot of balls and am not tackling a lot. He is making sure that, with my potential and my physicality, I can tackle and get more balls, start more attacks. In an attacking sense, he is just encouraging me to run with the ball more, and take more risks in the final third for example. Things like that, little details like that that could make me better."
For the U.S. it will be key for him to make an impact on both ends with McKennie out. While Musah cannot match the superb aerial ability of the Juventus man, his elite pace could be key if he can get into a more attack position centrally. The stats don't really support it, with just one league goal and zero assists, but his confidence on the ball and decision making has been better, especially when it comes to making tackles.
That ability to take risks in attack and win the ball back will be vital at Mexico on March 24. Whether that is a bit deeper in the midfielder or potentially a tad higher in place of McKennie, Musah is just happy at the opportunity and hungry to make the most of it, with an infectious smile that obligates you to do the same.
"Wherever I'm put, I'm just happy to play," Musah said
