Doe is the unknown "family/surname". Kees is just the second Christian name, so Jan Kees is like George William Bush.
The reporter on the field in MN was saying he looked fit and fast. Still can't figure out why they didn't play him. I guess we'll see soon enough. They play Colorado 4/23.
Looking forward to seeing how gatt brings his euro style and speed to the MLS. Hoping for great things.
Wish nothing but the best for Gatt. But I'm afraid we have to close this thread, since he's no longer a YA.
Back in Austria with Altach: "Gatt plans to return to Austria, where his professional soccer odyssey started in 2010 after he was plucked from an academy showcase to play for Rheindorf Altach, bypassing an offer to play collegiately at Indiana. The Michigan Wolves product recorded four goals in 20 appearances with the Austrian Bundesliga side. He will join Altach, which starts preseason training June 18." https://www.detroitnews.com/story/s...r-career-after-wifes-cancer-ordeal/692321002/
@bungadiri @TheFalseNine @dark knight Could we get these threads merged please? https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/18...gns-pro-contract-with-altach-austria.1313828/ (this thread) https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/josh-gatt-18-years-old.1324456/ https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/josh-gatt-to-austria.1441117/ https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/josh-gatt-transfers-to-molde-fk.1632092/
Great to see Josh land on his feet and return to game he loves. He was such a class act in Colorado and many of the fans adored him. More importantly, it’s great to read his wife’s cancer is in remission. That’s most important.
Okay, I was able to get our ancient desktop to cooperate! All 4 threads have been merged into one now, and I updated the thread title, even though it looks like as of now Josh is only a guest player at SCRA and doesn't have a contract. Good luck to him!
Very surprised to see this thread pop back up, but happy that it has. Altach finished 8th in the Austrian Bundesliga last season, avoiding the relegation playoff by 18 points. Austrian football has undergone a bit of a reorganization this summer, with the top flight expanding from 10 to 12 teams and the second from 10 to 16, so it'll be a different look for Gatt compared to his first stint there.
They'll get healthcare now. That's the most important thing. She can get treatment if her cancer comes back, and he for the inevitable arthritis from the surgeries, while not having to go deep into debt. They should stay in Europe now and he can potentially get a coaching job there after he retires.
I have the feeling that MLS is the least friendly it has ever been to american players i.e. playing time....and it is getting worse every year, imo. it used to be that if an american couldnt get playing time in MLS...it was a very strong - almost iron-clad indication - that he just didn't have it. no gaurantees what will happen here with Gatt...but i think the pendulum has swayed a bit and an american who doesnt make it in MLS these days isnt necesarrily not good enough like before.... for example, romain gall couldnt break through in MLS but seems to be tearing up sweden and possibly will move up to a bigger league soon. at this point, signing in MLS is riskier than it has ever been for americans....its not the safety net it used to be...especially on teams with foreign owners/coaches.
It's almost like MLS is better than the bottom part of the Austrian Bundesliga and Allsvenskan and you're drawing the exact wrong conclusion.
a player like gatt wouldve been able to get playing time in earlier iterations of MLS....no longer. any eu experience was pretty much an automatic "in" for an american in MLS of days past. MLS isn;t the saftey net it used to be for american players...regardless of how good MLS is compared to austria, sweden, epl, etc.... whats exactly wrong about that notion???
I am extremely excited to announce that I have signed with the club that originally signed me almost 8 years ago @SCRAltach. This year has been the most difficult ever for myself and my family, but now we can officially turn the page on that. I am so grateful to all the... pic.twitter.com/iv6Dr5MmOI— Joshua Gatt (@JoshuaGatt) July 16, 2018
Although he wasnt in the side for Altachs cup tie last weekend, but there's our boy Josh Gatt in training. Let's hope we see him make his debut when the Austrian Bundesliga kicks off this weekend!#USMNT @ussoccer_mnt https://t.co/H48HTf7TjR— Sams Mini Army (@samsminiarmy) July 27, 2018
Unsere Startaufstellung beim SK Rapid Wien #RAPALT pic.twitter.com/PxEInTwy0n— SCR Altach (@SCRAltach) August 4, 2018 Back in the 18!