Eh, he doesn't have to be the best U.S prospect ever to make a first team appearance. A first team appearances could be in a minute of garbage time in a cup game. A tremendous amount of injuries could hit Leverkusen in a short period causing hi to be a possible option for the first team. You never know. I'll keep keep believing it's a possibility until the 2013/2014 season ends or it becomes evident through injury or a lack of quality that it isn't possible. Make it happen Kainoa Bailey!
Yeah but that wasn't my point, I'm not saying he isn't good. I was just using that to make the bigger point that the if kid was good enough to already be playing games for Leverkusen's senior squad at 17/18 then he'd have to be considered one of the best US youth prospects that we've had. Having watched his highlights and coupled with the knowledge that he isn't a highly considered youth here, that seems extremely unlikely. Bottom line he's not making any appearances for Leverkusen's senior team next year.
At 17/18? He would have to be one of the best players on the reserve team to even be in that position and being one of the best players on a Champions League club's quasi U-23 team at 17/18 is an extremely impressive accomplishment in itself. Landon wasn't making first team appearances for Leverkusen at an even older youth age. So yes, it would have implications on his pedigree as a youth prospect when you consider the level and standing of the players making senior appearances with Leverkusen at that age.
Liked this bit: "That experience in Brazil taught me a few lessons. First and foremost I was too comfortable in US and not consistently bringing a high level to training and games. I realized that I was not that good as a player and with twice a day trainings, school work and learning a different language that I had to step up." Something that is often discussed in various youth NT threads.
He's just training with the reserve team, I wouldn't read that much into it. He's a 95 -- I'd guess he'll be with Leverkusen's U-19 team next season. If he's exceptional, perhaps he'll play up with the reserves at some point during the year.
Entered in the 85th minutes of Leverkusen U23s 3-2 friendly loss against Dutch team Go Ahead Eagles: http://www.bayer04.de/B04-DEU/de/_m...id=0-920FE473-6E45-4940-A760-643DBB7BB64F-575 He's not listed on their U23 roster but a good sign that he played for them at his age?
http://www.soccerbyives.net/2013/11...l-based-squad-for-u-s-u-20-camp-in-italy.html Bailey has been selected by Ramos for the upcoming U-20 trip to Italy from Nov. 10-20 to face the U-2o sides of Hellas Verona, Iran, and TBA opponent.
So good to see another Hawaiian player excelling in Germany. Bobby Shou Wood and now Kainoa Bailey -- well, hey, at least the name is Hawaiian...Anyone know if there's a connection?
You do hear that, though it's probably pretty rare for players who do what he describes to get a chance to "redeem themselves" with Bundesliga clubs. Well, life ain't fair.
No solid evidence but I would say he is at least part Hawaiian. There is a large Hawaiian community in Las Vegas so it wouldn't surprise me if one or both of his parents were from the islands.
Is there some sort of procedural reason why Bailey hasn't played at either the U19 or U23 level? He is not even making the bench. He turned 18 in August, so that isn't it.
I imagine it's more complicated than you'd think. There are some barriers in the way for foreigners in the Regionalliga or the U19 Bundesliga. I don't specifically remember what they are, so maybe someone could help me out. EDIT: So you need a work permit to play in the Regionalliga. If you sign for a Bundesliga II or Bundesliga team they pretty much give you a work permit automatically. In the Regionalliga there are some further requirements. I'm not sure if German and the US have a bilateral agreement that nullifies what I mentioned. He's training with the reserve team rather than the U19s. That could be for any number of reasons. Different German teams have different philosophies on raising players. Sometimes better players stick with the U19s and then jump right to the senior squad. I'm afraid you can't read into these decisions all that much.
When Rodriguez signed with Kaiserslautern last year, work permit issues prevented him from playing with the U-19 team until January, and by then he was playing in the World Cup Qualifying so really it was February/March.
Bailey made the bench for the first time with Leverkusen II on Friday. 2 days later he made his competitive debut for the club with a 6 minute cameo in a U-19 game against Düsseldorf.
U23 match up today: Mario Rodriguez with MGlad(90min) vs Kainoa Bailey with BLever (sub in second half).