That's why the U17s. You'll notice most of the players who have gone over to Germany have had a long, legal courtship with a German club. You can expect a lot more German clubs to start fishing in our waters and then reeling them in when they turn 18.
The raiding has only just begun. It's going to crank up as more turn into successes. This goes back to the US being the most untapped market globally. Also, I expect more without EU passports to go the NASL route that Haji and Taitague have. It frankly makes the most sense if you have good Bund opportunities but need to wait a year.
The interesting thing will be if the D2 clubs decide it's worth the cost and if the future parent club allows it. It's frustrating to see players (like Haji for a while) not part of any club set-up once they get on the "flight to Europe" path. I predict we'll see a mix of ways that players and their parents play this.
Video (field level, not top quality): 2 goals & assist for @McKinzeGaines in a 8-0 Wolfsburg A Junioren win. Mckinze with 5 goals in the season so far https://t.co/vM92WiGlMG— Dallas Cup ⚽️ (@dallascup) September 19, 2016
I'm seeing some (unconfirmed) rumors that Gaines will play with Wolfsburg U-23 next week against Liverpool U-23. Dude's rocketing through the ranks! '98 McKinze Gaines will join Wolfsburg U23 v Liverpools U23. Gaines (98) faces fellow Yank Brooks Lennon (97). Battle of the wingers #usynt https://t.co/0ponlUhuYM— Joey (@USAprospects) September 21, 2016
McKinze Gaines snags a newspaper spread in Germany. "Role model: Neymar. Pals: Pulisic. Target: Klinsmann." pic.twitter.com/tk6wUHOiPf— Will Parchman (@WillParchman) September 24, 2016
No goals today as far as I can tell but did he bag an assist on either goal in a 2-2 tie in a draw with Leipzig?
The source on these is good. Club have said he'll be with them for their matches against Leicester and Porto as well. He drew a penalty for one of their goals but nothing much else of note. Also, just a rough translation of the article. Local Wolfsburg media sit down with McKinze Gaines and talk with him on his phenomenal start to life in Germany (rough translation included) pic.twitter.com/3XnfX5csS2— Nats Abroad (@Nats_Abroad) September 24, 2016
I'm starting to get pissed off my schools never offered German as a language course. Would have done be some good later in life. Compared to stupid Latin anyway. What a waste of time that was.
Wolfsburg isn't great, but they have 2 full German internationals in their starting XI, including Draxler who's slowly becoming a first choice winger for Germany. Breaking into the first team would probably be as impressive as Pulisic last season when Reus was still healthy.
McKinze Gaines is in England today as part of Wolfsburg's U21s squad for their PLIC match against Leicester City (3rd youngest in the squad) https://t.co/uBTRDwQM1A— Nats Abroad (@Nats_Abroad) October 11, 2016
Youngest guy on the field by 6 months and the only '98. Wolfsburg's asst. manager Dirk Bremser is part of the staff running the squad. OMG played 61' with VfL up 2-0. might've had a hand in the second. 4 - Johnson does well to dispossess Gaines in the City box, just before the forward was about to pull the trigger. #lcfcu23s— Leicester City (@LCFC) October 11, 2016 6 - Gaines tries to advance again, but a well-timed challenge from Debayo halts his run. #lcfcu23s— Leicester City (@LCFC) October 11, 2016 17 - Debayo puts in another fine challenge to clear Gaines' delivery. #lcfcu23s— Leicester City (@LCFC) October 11, 2016 24 - Hamer does brilliantly to get a hand to Gaines' cross to clear the danger. #lcfcu23s— Leicester City (@LCFC) October 11, 2016 29 - Another corner to Wolfsburg, this time after Debayo dispossesses the lively Gaines. #lcfcu23s— Leicester City (@LCFC) October 11, 2016
Find this so interesting for a nation that has typically struggled to produce top shelf attacking talent, especially on the wings, how have we ended up with this embarrassment of riches? Akale, Carleton, Pulisic, Gooch, Gaines, Perez (missing anyone) etc?
Let's wait until they consistently produce at a senior level before we use phrases like "embarrassment of riches."