Getting a Cup of Joe: Gyau in Sweden

Discussion in 'Yanks Abroad' started by FirstStar, Feb 8, 2012.

  1. FirstStar

    FirstStar Hustlin' for the USA

    Fulham Football Club
    Feb 1, 2005
    Time's Arrow
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    With Charles back in MLS, it's time for a new Gyau thread. I'll offer up the baseball reference here as Joe appears to be getting a "taste" of the bigs here in the second half of the season.

    Today he made it onto the field in the 80th minute in a DFB Pokal match. Congratulations to Joe.
     
  2. usry723

    usry723 Member+

    Aug 14, 2008
    Georgia, USA
    Club:
    Atlanta
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  3. Real Corona

    Real Corona Member+

    Jan 19, 2008
    Colorado
    Club:
    FC Metalist Kharkiv
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Time to soil the new thread smell ----------> CAP HIM NOW!!!!
     
  4. xbhaskarx

    xbhaskarx Member+

    San Jose Earthquakes
    United States
    Feb 13, 2010
    NorCal
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    In all seriousness, it didn't take long for others who made their first team debut to get called in (Chandler, Williams, Morales, Lichaj), so it really could happen quite fast.
     
  5. Real Corona

    Real Corona Member+

    Jan 19, 2008
    Colorado
    Club:
    FC Metalist Kharkiv
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Morales made his first team almost a full year, if memory serves, before his recent call up. Where one must keep in mind, he never made the bench in either squad. Chandler and Williams both had somewhat secured their positions and played well for a short stretch in their first teams before getting called in. Then one when considers that Bradley considered calling in Gatt and Corona after successful stints with their clubs, one might surmise that at least some level of first team football success would be a prerequisite for a call up.
     
  6. Gorky

    Gorky Member+

    Jul 28, 2006
    NYC
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Nice thread title.

    Go Joe
     
  7. Friedel'sAccent

    Friedel'sAccent Member+

    Jul 7, 2006
    Providence, RI
    Club:
    Reading FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Baseball? I thought the thread title was a coffee reference.

    Delicious, delicious coffee.
     
  8. Friedel'sAccent

    Friedel'sAccent Member+

    Jul 7, 2006
    Providence, RI
    Club:
    Reading FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Baseball? I thought the thread title was a coffee reference.

    Delicious, delicious coffee.
     
  9. Winoman

    Winoman Drinkin' Wine Spo-De-O-De!

    Jul 26, 2000
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    That makes two of us. Or is that three? :p
     
  10. FirstStar

    FirstStar Hustlin' for the USA

    Fulham Football Club
    Feb 1, 2005
    Time's Arrow
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  11. El Michael

    El Michael Member

    Dec 17, 2009
    Club:
    DC United
    It' great to see a young player with vast potential come up with a club and some stability. Much better career path then Jozy or Adu. Not a knock at Jozy or Adu just an obervation
     
  12. trophy case

    trophy case Member

    Feb 8, 2008
    new york
    I think they fired the coach already.
     
  13. Real Corona

    Real Corona Member+

    Jan 19, 2008
    Colorado
    Club:
    FC Metalist Kharkiv
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Well the team is in complete free fall. I think there is legitimate worry about the long term future of the team.
     
  14. comoesa

    comoesa Member+

    Aug 13, 2010
    Christen Press's armpit
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Whoa.

    Also, don't you think the thread title is a bit of a downer since this is literally Gyau's first minutes as a professional? :p
     
  15. trophy case

    trophy case Member

    Feb 8, 2008
    new york
    You are absolutely correct. They've had 3 coaches in the last year. Got rid of some top class players and that's why coach Ralph R. quit and he was the one that brought Gyau to the club. Hoffenheim is a great place for a young player to develop but 3 coaches in a year is a bit much.

    They have done a good job with Gyau and I think it is a good place for him.
     
  16. diablodelsol

    diablodelsol Member+

    Jan 10, 2001
    New Jersey
    While I understand what you're saying, it's important to keep in mind that at this time 4 years ago Adu was the same age as Gyau, in his first season with a Euro first team, and had 19 appearances.

    Then Benfica had yet another coaching change. Adu didn't make another appearance the entire season. Adu sat down with Benfica over the summer, prior to the Olympics, and was encouraged by Benfica to seek a loan opportunity for the following season as the new staff expected his playing time to be limited. The rest, is history.

    My point: it's probably a bit early to call Gyau's situation at Hoffenheim a complete success, or even better than the situation Jozy and Adu were in at the same age.
     
  17. StrikerX4

    StrikerX4 Member

    Jun 16, 2011
    Lawrence, NJ
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    This is a great point. Also, with Hoffenheim's manager resigning and the owner basically committing to selling the best talent, the team itself is far from stable. There are serious doubts about how long Hoffenheim can remain in the Bundesliga, and even more serious concerns about the long term viability of the club itself. Hopefully Joe (and the other 2 Americans there) plays well enough that he can secure a good future for himself at Hoffenheim or elsewhere.
     
  18. Balerion

    Balerion Member+

    Aug 5, 2006
    Roslindale, MA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Benfica is a club that buys up more good players and prospects than they need and then they see who sinks and who swims. Freddy Adu never had the mental toughness or the work ethic to deal with a situation like that.

    Not that it's easy to break into Hoffenheim, but like most clubs that aren't Benfica, it's a little more nurturing and development-oriented than Benfica.


    Coaching changes can complicate things, but ultimately talent finds its level. If Gyau turns out to be as good as advertised, he'll find a home at Hoffenheim or they'll regret it. And if he's not Hoffenheim quality, he'll find an appropriate level club one way or the other.

    As long as he keeps his head down (not while dribbling, of course!) and works hard, the short-term coaching situation won't matter too much.
     
  19. fingersave

    fingersave Member

    Sep 28, 2009
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    He's the best player in history until he hits a rough patch, then he should never be called in again, and so forth.
     
  20. DaPrince84

    DaPrince84 Member+

    Aug 22, 2001
    MD
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    halfway wrong. The coaching change happened in February, iirc. Adu also bolted for the Olympic Qualifying tournament in March. Up until that point he made 20 appearances.

    Then the summer of 2008 he asked to leave Benfica and it started the series of loans.



    Gyau and Adu are in 2 different situations.
     
  21. uniteo

    uniteo Member+

    Sep 2, 2000
    Rockville, MD
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Right, Adu was much further along at this point. Gyau hasn't even left for Olympic qualifying yet

    apples/oranges
     
  22. Dave Marino-Nachison

    Jun 9, 1999
  23. El Michael

    El Michael Member

    Dec 17, 2009
    Club:
    DC United
    Google translater

    Joseph I've known since he was 15 years old, "manager Ernst Tanner said with a grin when he talks about the young Americans of 1899 Hoffenheim." Joseph I have more or less brought in-house here. "The 19-year U.S. Boy is an example of how the TSG operates in the global marketplace and how hard it is to find talent and develop in time.
    "In February 2008 I saw him when the Americans played with the U17 in Spain," says Tanner. As Tanner rose to the Youth Coordinator of the TSG, he invited him and another U.S. talent to Hoffenheim one. "But of course we have the problem with the Fifa-exchange law, which requires players from non-European region should not change under the age of 18. But he had to get a preparation for the German football."

    The solution was Tanner's excellent connections to America.. "That's why we have Joseph guided to Thomas Niendorf to the Vancouver Whitecaps, where there is a so-called 'residency program', where players are drawn together and live together there, Joe is originally from Washington in Vancouver. He was prepared by Thomas to our needs, in coordination with our philosophy. "

    The change Gyaus, considered one of the greatest talents of his year in the U.S., was planned long in advance of all. And could still fail. Tanner: ". Unhappiness was that Thomas was leaving from Vancouver to nine months, then we have tried to bring Joseph to us directly to the we succeeded in May 2010 where he has lived with a host family..."

    About the U19 TSC of the talent carefully built on further. Played 12 (one goal) completed in the U19 Gyau of TSG. That same season he made the jump to the U23, where he graduated in 7 games. Tanner praises: "He is now fully integrated, has very quickly learned the language within three months he was fairly fluent in German, since there were no problems over the U23 he qualified in the last year and is now on... jump to the pros. "

    This season is Gyau to 13 appearances in the Regional (1 goal, 2 assists). In the DFB Cup against Greuter Fürth he celebrated the 79th Minutes his debut in the pros. Tanner: "He has been even more deficits that he has to leave to get on the big stage." Especially the tactical behavior on the defensive is expandable. "But he's also a huge potential in terms its speed performance. He has very explosive." It will be interesting to see how the development of the now 19-year-old talent continues. Hoffenheim has the U20 national team of the United States, according transfermarkt.de still a contract until the end of the season.
     
  24. Hobo

    Hobo Member+

    Apr 29, 2007
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Here is a quick translation by me.

    [FONT=&quot]Tanner: “He has an amazing amount of potential.”[/FONT]

    [FONT=&quot]“I have know Joseph since he was 15,’ says Manager Ernst Tanner with a grin on his face when talking about the young American at 1899 Hoffenheim.” “I pretty much acted on my own to get Joseph to Hoffenheim.” The 19 year-old US-Boy is an example of how 1899 operates in the global market and how difficult it is to find and develop talent in a timely manner. [/FONT]

    [FONT=&quot]“In February of 2008 I saw him when he played with the US U17 team when they were playing in Spain,” reports Tanner. When Tanner was promoted to youth coordinator at Hoffenheim, he invited Joseph and another American talent to Hoffenheim. “But we of course had problems with the FIFA rules that dictate that non-Europeans under the age of 18 can’t transfer to European teams. He, however, needed to be prepared for German soccer.” The solution was in Tanner’s good connections to America: “As a result, we sent Joseph to Thomas Niendorf and the Vancouver Whitecaps. There they have a so-called ‘Residency Program’ where players live in an academy setting. Joe is actually from Washington. In Vancouver he was trained with our interests in mind and in coordination with our philosophy.”[/FONT]

    [FONT=&quot]The transfer of Gyau, one of the USA’s greates talents, was thoroughly planned and it still could have been a failure. Tanner: “It was bad luck that Thomas left Vancouver after ¾ of a year. Then we attempted to bring Joseph directly to us, and we were successful. He lived here from May 2010 with a guest family.“ [/FONT]

    [FONT=&quot]He was further developed in Hoffenheim with the U19s. He took part in 12 games (1 goal) with the U19 team. In the same season he made the jump to the U23 team where he played a further 7 games. Tanner praises: “Now he is completely integrated, learned the language quickly. In about three months he was pretty much fluent in German. There are no problems there. He moved further forward with the U23s in the next season and is now on the cusp of being completely with the Pro team.”[/FONT]

    [FONT=&quot]In the current season, Gyau has 13 games in the Regionalliga (1 goal, 2 assists). In the DFB-Pokal he celebrated his debut with the first team when he was subbed in the 79th minute against Greuther Fürth. Tanner: “He still has his deficits that he has to work on in order to make it on the big stage.” He especially needs work in defensive tactics. “But he has an amazing amount of talent when looking at his speed. He is very explosive.” In the meantime, we will be excited about how he develops. In Hoffenheim, according to Transfermarkt, he has a contract until the end of the season. [/FONT]
     
  25. comoesa

    comoesa Member+

    Aug 13, 2010
    Christen Press's armpit
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    So, I'm guessing he might get some bundesliga appearances near the end of the season.
     

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