might not be a bad move for him. Already at the German youth levels, he's never played beyond friendlies. one can also say that youth levels that group players by age group is a deceit. As once you hit the senior level there is no age groups and it's everyone together as competition, not only against other 99 as Maloney's group but all other age groups. As such he's never going to make it in Germany seniors. well at least he has a way out, plenty of players have only 1 option/choice.
Works out well for him. He's never been more than a fringe/standby player for Germany YNTs, and the current US U20 cycle is relatively weak in central defense.
http://www.americansoccernow.com/articles/ramos-pleased-with-u-20-progress-as-qualifying-nears Nice update tidbit on Lennard from Brian
http://www.textilvergehen.de/2018/0...er-zum-beginn-der-vorbereitung-nicht-fit-ist/ This article says he has a "huge opportunity" to be one of Union Berlin's top 4 CBs for their first team next year.
👉 We’ve arrived for the game against @ChemnitzerFC Starting XI: Busk; Reichel, Hübner, Maloney, Trimmel; Kroos, Prömel, Mees; Hedlund, Redondo, AnderssonHT/FT updates to follow... #fcunion pic.twitter.com/LcTJhX20Ut— 1. FC Union Berlin (English) (@fcunion_en) July 4, 2018 Starts in a preseason friendly.
only player in the XI to get subbed out at the 46th minute. The 9 other changes happened at the 62nd minute. Which also includes Maloney's replacement Friederich scoring the 3rd goal in the 3-1 win.
saw reports say that he was taken out because of dizziness. And is not in the squad in today's friendly. interesting article talking about Union's squad. https://www.liga-zwei.de/1-fc-union-berlin-geld-fuer-weitere-transfers-vorhanden/ -they have money to buy new players because of transfers -Squad is too big -There is no reserve team, so players could end up lacking game time. The CEO mentions youth players with Maloney being one, where they would like to avoid that happening to them. (although emphasize on wants to avoid, so it could still happen). Considering loaning some of those young players, not only to reduce squad but also to get playing time. I prefer teams with a reserve, players get playing time even if it's in a lower level. But the issue, is that when there is no reserves, some clubs/coaches, have players do nothing all year as they are nothing but a back up options in case of injuries. And if no injuries happen, they don't play all season or if lucky get barely any chances.
👉 Extremely proud of our academy graduate Lennard Maloney, who has been called up for the US U20 national team.@GrantWahl @BrianSciaretta @TaylorTwellman @kylemartino @JOYPAULIAN #fcunion #USYNT— 1. FC Union Berlin (English) (@fcunion_en) July 7, 2018
While I think it's great that he's part of our system finally, I would much rather have him fighting for playing time with his club in the preseason.
Interview on Union Berlin's FB page (in German) where he talks about his call-up https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10155783526132061
Union Berlin is a small club that is probably happy for this youth player to raise his profile with YNT playing time. If he continues to develop he will be sold.
👏 Our own Lennard Maloney in action for @ussoccer_ynt’s U20 side. 📸 Credit: Lora Charles pic.twitter.com/9OZlLoB0KY— 1. FC Union Berlin (English) (@fcunion_en) July 19, 2018 Some action shots
He really does, I think he just reminds me of Gotze, (they don't even necessarily look alike, I think it's just the thick neck.)
Starts in friendly: Zurück im @StadionAdAF! In 30 Minuten ist hier Anpfiff zum Test vs @VSG_Berlin. Das ist unser Team #fcunion #FCUVSG 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/mxpI73qRn6— 1. FC Union Berlin (@fcunion) August 14, 2018
Starts the 2nd half: 👉 Second half XI: Busk; Alimler, Schösswendter, Maloney, Kurzweg; Ryerson, Kroos, Zejnuhallu; Taz, Eitdner, WernerSo ... Dietz, Hübner, Lenz, Gogia off.#FCUVSG | #fcunion— 1. FC Union Berlin (English) (@fcunion_en) August 14, 2018
(86') Stefan Rankic handed debut as replacement for Lennard Maloney. #FCUVSG | #fcunion— 1. FC Union Berlin (English) (@fcunion_en) August 14, 2018
Starts: 👉 Here are the teams for our Baltic Sea Cup match against @aabsportdk #fcunion pic.twitter.com/GMylhMi2gV— 1. FC Union Berlin (English) (@fcunion_en) September 18, 2018
Starts as captain in Baltic Sea Cup: 👉 XI for our Baltic Sea Cup game against @HalmstadsBK pic.twitter.com/GRspqoUouw— 1. FC Union Berlin (English) (@fcunion_en) October 3, 2018
Starting in a friendly: Hier die Aufstellung zum Testspiel gegen den @SVBabelsberg03 🔴⚪️ Um 14 Uhr gehts los ⚽️ #fcunion #eisern #testspiel pic.twitter.com/UpcSDJLuYp— 1. FC Union Berlin (@fcunion) October 12, 2018
Unfortunately for Lennard.. what I heard is that he failed to impress at his two recent U-20 camps and didn't even make the 35 player preliminary roster for next month's World Cup qualifying tournament.