Orrin McKinzie Gaines McKinzie Gaines, a speedy winger for the U17 MNT, is currently on his way to Wolfsburg for a trial.— Will Parchman (@WillParchman) March 16, 2015 His USSDA profile: http://ussda.demosphere.com/teams/47158256/47187168-47158343/55472290.html DOB 03/02/1998 So he can't move full-time until March 2016.
Which based on German registration rules, means he can't play in real youth games until August 2016 when the 2016-17 season begins.
Follow-up article: http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/club-soccer-articles/orrin-gaines-on-the-path-to-us-stardom_aid36377 Gaines impressed his hosts, so much so that he said the club is “really interested” in folding him into their youth setup. But because he isn’t 18 and doesn’t have an EU passport, he can’t legally join the club, or any in Europe, until March 2016. At the very least, that gives Gaines another year to make an impression on the national team and continue his work this semester at U17 residency in Bradenton, Florida. As for the experience in Germany, Gaines thinks he did enough to leave an impression. He split his time between Wolfsburg U19 and U17 teams, where he stayed with Wolfsburg’s top prospects in their dorm. “I want to be a pro. That’s pretty much the end goal,” Gaines said. “But if the right contract doesn’t come around, then college is still the number one option. But if I can find the right contract, then going pro is what I want to do.”
It was a tweet that Gaines was back at Wolfsburg to trial... but then this happened: Can confirm 2016 UCLA commit, U18 MNT forward McKinze Gaines has signed with Wolfsburg. pic.twitter.com/RuAqrPCBz3— Will Parchman (@WillParchman) March 15, 2016
Over the past two months or so, there's been some great news regarding players in the U17-U20 age range. Really cool to see. Hoping this carries over as these players mature over the next 10ish years.
This German newspaper article was part of the deleted Parchman tweet: @WillParchman pic.twitter.com/CplqCZgRup— Anima Pura (@AnimaPura3) March 15, 2016
Profile: http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/club-soccer-articles/german-gaines:-an-american-signs-abroad_aid38999 Gaines spent three consecutive semesters in the U17 residency program in Florida through last year, and his breakout performance at the 2013 Development Academy showcase paved his way into those national team opportunities. It was through that visibility that Wolfsburg first discovered Gaines. He trained with their U17 and U19 teams in Germany in March 2015, and when he returned for a second trial in January, the U.S. U18 national team player was playing up with U23s. He impressed to such a degree that Wolfsburg basically tendered an offer right there. Gaines says Jurgen Klinsmann and U.S. Soccer played no role in his move.
Sounds promising. I've never seen him play, by the sounds of it it seems as though he's a Gyau clone?
A bit less shifty, will probably have a higher center of gravity. Has a good deal of polishing to do so maybe more like Morris or Zizzo. If Pulisic is adult man fast and hasn't made a big jump in his 40 time then Gaines has that going for him in spades.
This is weird, but I am friends with a couple members of the youth staff at Wolfsburg and I texted them and they apparently really really like the kid. I never thought I was going to be able to use that connect for Big Soccer but hey there it is. That's all I have now, but apparently they have high hopes for the kid.
Unsure TBH, I was supposed to go to the grounds in March but went to Italy for a job interview instead lol so my communication with my buddy has been faulty at best.
Designed to Pass: McKinze Gaines tests the VW Arena Dances with Wolfsburg: McKinze Gaines in Germany Incremental (McKinze) Gaines: The Wolf of Wolfsburg
It was the first goal in a 4-2 win of the U19s over Lichtenberg. Gaines played the 2nd half. https://www.vfl-wolfsburg.de/de/info/aktuelles/detailseite/artikel/starke-fruehform-43176.html
Thread title change request: McKinze Gaines at VFL Wolfsburg @Dave Marino-Nachison @bungadiri @Friedel'sAccent Thanks
Good training today for McKinze Gaines with Wolfsburg's U19s! @ Wushu Training, VFL Wolfsburg https://t.co/WXUbHqz8v5— Anima Pura (@AnimaPura3) August 5, 2016