The Bundesliga has wrapped up for the Calendar year and while there is much to discuss heading into the new year, we want to focus on all the American talent plying their trade in one of the world’s best leagues. From Christian Pulisic’s rise to superstardom to Julian Green’s search for minutes, here is a look at how some of America’s best did in the first half in Germany.
Christian Pulisic
America’s soccer darling took big strides in the first half of the season, as he saw frequent playing time with one of Europe’s most exciting teams. Pulisic, who is still only 18, made 12 appearances this year for Dortmund. The teenager scored twice and added five assists to his name. His best performance might have been in a 3-3 draw with Ingolstadt in October. Dortmund fell behind 3-1, but Pulisic made his mark as a second half sub. He assisted a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang goal to trim the lead. Pulisic then saved a point for the visitors when he scored a last-minute equalizer.
Pulisic’s frequent inclusion on a team with players like Aubameyang, Marco Reus and Mario Götze is one of the most impressive aspects of his young career. Being trusted enough by his coach to feature in the Champions League is remarkable, and a clear indication of the skill he posses. He’ll be a key player in the second half for a Dortmund team looking to climb the table and challenge the likes of Bayern Munich.
Bobby Wood
Bobby Wood’s debut season in the Bundesliga has been rather productive, but at times streaky. The Hawaiian-born striker has scored four times for the struggling Hamburg team. The goals he has scored have been very workmanlike. His best goal might have been his first for his new club when he powered through an Ingolstadt defense to give Hamburg a 1-0 lead. He scored again the following match, in a 3-1 defeat to Leverkusen.
The 24-year-old went on a bit of a dry spell from there, failing to score in a span of nine appearances, one of which ended prematurely when Wood was sent off. He has rebounded nicely, though, scoring twice in his last two outings for die Rothosen. Wood scored an important winner this week against Schalke 04.
John Brooks
One of the many surprises is in the Bundesliga this season has been Hertha Berlin’s play. They’re in position for a Champions League spot right now, and John Brooks has played a big role in that. The center back has had to deal with injuries this year, but when he’s on the pitch Berlin are much stronger. The club has kept a clean sheet in just under half the matches Brooks has featured. He averages 2.8 interceptions and 5.4 clearances per game. But most impressive has been his passing. Brooks has completed 89.4 percent of his passes this season. To compare him to other center backs in the league, that’s a better passing percentage than both Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng. You can’t join more impressive company than that.
Julian Green
It hasn’t been the season Julian Green has hoped for, despite a promising preseason. After lighting it up during Bayern’s preseason trip to the United States, the 21-year-old has only featured in one cup game for the German giants. To be fair to Green, he played well and scored in an October meeting with FC Augsburg. That said, Green was always going to struggle to break into a Bayern lineup that features an all-star team of world class talent. With little chance of real game time, Green has announced he will be moving to Stuttgart in January. Stuttgart, who were relegated last season, will give the young American a chance to get first team action. He was smart to move now, rather than risk stagnating in the stands at the Allianz Arena.
New challenge! After great years at @FCBayern, I'm really looking forward to the new club, the teammates and the city 👌🏾 @VfB #jg37 pic.twitter.com/64FjgB53CU
— Julian Green (@J_Green37) December 21, 2016
Fabian Johnson
Last year Fabian Johnson had a career year, helping Borussia Mönchengladbach into the top four and a spot in the Champions League. This year, however, Johnson has found life difficult along with the rest of his team. The midfielder scored 6 times for the Foals last year, but he’s had trouble finding the net this season, tallying only once. His lone goal came back in September in a 1-1 draw with RB Leipzig. Johnson’s Gladbach team have since fired their coach André Schubert, and sit just three points clear of the relegation zone.
Other notables
Timothy Chandler might not have been a very popular member of the USMNT during Jurgen Klinsmann’s final days but he’s been as solid as they come for Eintracht Frankfurt. Apart from one game when he was sent off, Chandler has been a factor in Frankfurt sitting in fourth place. He even picked up an assist and frustrated Bayern Munich’s attack in his side’s 2-2 draw with the record champions.
Alfredo Morales hasn’t had much to write home about this season with first from the bottom Ingolstadt. But he scored a crucial goal in his side’s 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen this past weekend.
Aron Jóhannsson was given a great opportunity at the start of the season when Werder Bremen lost Max Kruse and Claudio Pizzaro to injury, he scored a goal and an assist earlier this season, but with Bremen’s first choice attackers back, he’s been limited to infrequent substitute appearances.
