DIE AMERIKANER

4 American players to watch in the Bundesliga

4 American players to watch in the Bundesliga
Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images.

With a return to Bundesliga play so highly anticipated, I thought it might be time to re-visit those Americans that are playing in Germany.

German clubs have taken a large interest in economically viable U.S. players who are coachable, versatile and have a high work ethic. These qualities, along with an ability to adapt in the high pressure league, have increased German interest in the American player and I profile some of the younger players below.

For those new to the Bundesliga, and looking to take a rooting interest, any one of these players might move you towards a specific team:

Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig)

Adams rise has been remarkable.

In five years, after signing as a pro at 16 with the New York Red Bulls, he is playing in one of the top three leagues in the world. Sadly, injuries have robbed him of much consistency starting this season – with groin and calf problems – but his is fully fit now.

He is an "all action" midfielder that is mature "beyond his years" and highly positive at 21 years of age. The ability to move into different positions make him coveted and his pressing style fits perfectly, tactically at his German club who play a high energy, adrenalized style of play.

He has played a part in the UEFA Champions League debuting in their win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Adams is among other youthful players as the future of the U.S. national team and I can attest to his maturity having had him on my radio show a few times and interviewing him. [INTERVIEW]

Adams is studying psychology at an online university and has donated money to charity to help fight the Coronavirus.

Weston McKennie (Schalke 04)

How about a Texan at Schalke? His story is legendary as he would play soccer and American football as a youth in the same day growing up in Texas.

McKennie is in his third season at only 21 years of age at Schalke and is a starter. Schalke are pushing for a Champions League place heading into the re-start of the Bundesliga in 6th place.

McKennie rejected a contract from FC Dallas and headed to Germany in 2016. It took him only a year to jump from the Schalke Academy team to the first team.

He is a U.S. international and a similar to Adams in that his work ethic and versatility is coveted. His coach at Schalke is former U.S. international David Wagner, who has mentioned that the "box to box" midfielder can be one of the best midfielders in the Bundesliga.

He does pop up with the odd goal now and then.

Josh Sargent (Werder Bremen)

The 20 yr old red-headed striker from O'Fallon, Missouri is another that U.S. fans are pulling for to continue to rise in the future.

He joined Werder Bremen on his 18th birthday, per FIFA Rules. He has 3 goals and 2 assists, starting nine times and appearing in 18 matches.

Sargent has a strong tactical acumen for a young man who is playing in one of the top leagues in the world. He gives you the feel of a more traditional center forward.

He scored on only his second ever Bundesliga start with that memorable "flick and finish" against Augsburg. His challenge for playing time increased in the "cutthroat" Bundesliga, with the arrival of Davie Selke in the winter on loan from Hertha Berlin.

Sargent was added by current Houston Dynamo coach Tab Ramos to the U.S. Under-17 and U.S. U-20 FIFA World Cup roster, where he banged in lots of goals. Ultimately, he would be added in the same calendar year representing the U.S. in the U-20 FIFA World Cup and then the senior national team (debut v. Bolivia), which was a first for an American player.

Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund)

The son of former U.S. international and U.S. Soccer legend Claudio Reyna (the current Sporting Director at Austin FC) is only 17 years old and has appeared for Dortmund eight times. His father also played in the Bundesliga, for Wolfsburg and Leverkusen, and probably has a few bits of insight for his son.

Reyna will look to carry on the reputation of the American club at second place Dortmund after the bar was set by Christian Pulisic, who is now at Chelsea.

After time in the U-19 Dortmund side, he was quickly accelerated to the full team during the winter break. The rise remarkable at a club of this stature.

"I want to make a bigger impact in the future and prove myself that I have more," says Reyna on the Bundesliga website. His memorable first senior goal came against Werder Bremen in the German Cup and was a curler that hit the upper corner, and he also had an assist in his Champions League debut against PSG.

An amazing story as the youngest American player in Bundesliga future. The dream continues.

...

I have profiled the obvious younger talent but let's not forget over 30 players from the U.S. ply their trade at different levels in Germany.

Others including John Brooks (Wolfsburg), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Monchengladbach), Timothy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt), Alfredo Morales Fortuna Dusseldorf, Zac Steffan (Fortuna Dusseldorf) that are all familiar to U.S. soccer fans.

These young players are forging their careers and futures and it will be exciting to track them in the future!

Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis airs weekly on ESPN 97.5 from 7-9 pm. All episodes are available on-demand at PodcastArena.com.

For additional soccer content, visit GlennDavisSoccer.com

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In Houston, the winning standard has been set so high that anything short of World Series contention now feels like failure. And yet, the 2025 Astros find themselves at an unfamiliar crossroads—caught between the fading brilliance of past stars and the uncertain promise of what comes next.

Jose Altuve is at the center of this issue. His early struggles (-0.5 WAR) may indicate more than just a temporary slump. And when he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had just endured a grueling 33-pitch inning on Sunday, it raised a bigger question: who has the influence to talk to Altuve?

The Astros’ culture has long been praised for its accountability, but who inside the clubhouse has the standing to challenge or counsel Altuve or other vets when needed? With so many veteran voices gone, there’s a growing sense that no one does—and that’s a problem. That’s why the idea of bringing back Michael Brantley—not as a player, but as a respected voice—could make some sense. Brantley was always viewed as a quiet leader, and his presence could restore some of the guidance this roster desperately needs.

Batter up?

While the Astros have built a reputation for reviving pitchers' careers, their track record with hitters is far less impressive. There are few, if any, examples of a bat joining Houston and unlocking a new level. That failure in development becomes especially stark when considering how much they’re currently leaning on homegrown youth.

Which brings us to Zach Dezenzo. The 24-year-old rookie is showing he belongs—his .737 OPS makes him one of the more productive bats in a lineup that desperately needs stability while Yordan Alvarez nurses an injury. While Victor Caratini provides the Astros with the ability to switch hit, he's hitting just .217. Dezenzo should be starting every day in left, with Yordan out. Jose Altuve, who has already played too many innings this year, should be shifted to DH duties to ease his physical burden. The Astros should go with Cam Smith in right and keep Jake Meyers in center to round out the outfield.

GM Dana Brown has made clear that he views Dezenzo as a first baseman or left fielder for the future. So why not get him in the lineup while Yordan's out and see what he can do with consistent playing time?

Of course, losing Yordan Alvarez is always going to hurt. But the numbers tell a surprising story. Yordan currently holds a -0.4 WAR, right there alongside Altuve and Christian Walker as the only Astros with negative marks. On paper, the team hasn’t lost much production. But let’s not kid ourselves—Yordan’s mere presence alters how opponents pitch to this team. The lineup without him lacks fear factor, and the margins get razor-thin.

Speaking of margins, one move that may haunt this front office is the decision to sign Christian Walker. The veteran first baseman is hitting just .205 with a .617 OPS—far below the level expected from a player earning $20 million annually through 2027. Compare that to Jon Singleton, who posted better numbers in 2024 and currently boasts an .880 OPS in Triple-A with the Mets organization. Walker's defense is strong, but it's hard to argue that justifies the price tag. Singleton might not be a Gold Glover, or anything close, but he came much cheaper and was quietly more productive with the bat.

No regrets?

There’s also a broader question looming: if fans had known that Altuve’s massive contract extension would potentially cost the team the ability to re-sign current MVP candidates Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, would they still have supported the deal? Hindsight is cruel, but with Altuve’s decline and Tucker and Bregman thriving, it’s a fair debate. Houston might have paid for the past instead of securing its future.

Big deals on the horizon?

All eyes now turn to owner Jim Crane. This winter, Houston's payroll will have considerable room to maneuver. But will Crane commit to restocking the lineup with All-Star-caliber bats, or will his reluctance to offer long-term deals keep the Astros stuck in a holding pattern? It’s one thing to let players walk. It’s another to fail to replace them.

The Astros still have the bones of a contender, but the road back to dominance is getting steeper. The team can’t simply rely on what used to work. It’s time for difficult conversations, bold lineup changes, and a rethinking of how this organization develops—and retains—offensive talent.

We have so much more to get to. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!

The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ā€˜Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!

*ChatGPT assisted.

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