CONCACAF in the Bundesliga

The Hinrunde or fall season of the Bundesliga is over. Time to take a look at what the players from the nations in CONCACAF did and their grade for the first 17 matches of the season. Please note that this includes the second division called 2.Bundesliga or zweite liga.

Canadian in Bundesliga

Alphonso Davies – His big move to Bayern Munich currently is the only piece of business that the reigning champions are making and this is more to be expected as they will look to bring him along as they say good-bye to Frank Ribery and Arjen Robben.

Curacao in the Bundesliga

Charlison Benschop – The former Hannover player can start to plan for his summer with Curacao nearly officially qualified for the 2019 Gold Cup. Having joined struggling FC Ingolstadt in the summer, he has found things difficult of late after the midseason change in coach. Here’s hoping that the Ruckrunde things turn around for the better.

Jamaican in Bundesliga

Leon Bailey – Well, this is technically contemptuous with Leon possibly considering switching his nationality which is a crying shame. He is the best player from his region and fact is that his Hinrunde was interrupted by issues with the coach. 23 total appearances with 12 being starts has yielded a paltry one goal and one assist. With a change of coach, one can only wonder what will transpire in the Ruckrunde while at Leverkusen.

Americans in Bundesliga

John Brooks – His big money move to Wolfsburg did not pan out last season, but so far he has been a solid contributor this campaign. Playing in 16 of the 17 league matches, Brooks has nabbed a goal and an assist as the Wolves find themselves in fifth place and within striking distance of the Champions League places. He will definitely be hard to ignore with the 2019 Gold Cup to come at this rate. His skills still exist in the air, but his long passing game has had marked improvement.

Fabian Johnson – During the strong Hinrunde for the Foals, Johnson is finding playing time hard to come by. At 31, he has made 11 appearances with merely a goal to show for it. As his career is drawing to a close, it would seem that a move to round off the career is likely as Borussia Monchengladbach is pushing for Europe and they more than likely will no longer need his services.

Weston McKennie – is the heartbeat of Schalke. He is so versatile, that he has seemed to play every role minus goalkeeper on the pitch. The team might be under performing, but this 20 year old is not to blame. Take him out of this side and draws are loses, wins are draws. He is a player bound to greatness if only to be in the right set up to be the biggest success within the Bundesliga or any league for an American at present.

Alfredo Morales – His move from Ingolstadt to Dusseldorf was to give the side some experience. So far, he has been a strong influence despite only 11 appearances and an injury. This is a player who can still be called on for country should the decision be made.

Christian Pulisic – Dubbed the savior of American soccer, his injury allowed Jaden Sancho to take his place and there looks to be a small chance of regaining his starting role. It really hurts to say it, but unless Sancho goes down injured long term, Pulisic will probably be leaving Dortmund after this season. 18 matches played and he has looked very mediocre. Perhaps the Favre system just isn’t for him, but this was a Hinrude that he would like to forget.

Josh Sargent – His start at Werder Bremen was working with the reserves. He excelled in his performances. Now, he has been featured in three substitute appearances for the first team and has two goals. It is the best of starts and one can only sit back and watch as he grows and grows over the season in the Ruckrunde. Perhaps a more senior role at the summer’s Gold Cup will be a major opportunity for him and for Werder Bremen.

Bobby Wood – His loan to Hannover has 12 appearances and three goals. So far, he has been decent enough, but the fact remains that unless he finds his scoring boots there is little chance that Wood will be the savior of the 96ers. Many will wonder what his future will be, but unless Wood helps the club survive relegation then there will be nothing for him there.

Haji Wright – Had a bad loan season at Sandhausen, but due to circumstances has found himself to be the beneficiary of an injury crisis and has appeared in five matches of the Hinrunde. With one goal scored, perhaps there will be more in the Ruckrunde.

Americans in 2.Bundesliga

Joe Gyau – The former Hoffenheim player has found his new club of MSV Duisburg to be tricky. After a good looking start, Gyau has found returning from injury difficult. His recent substitute appearances seem to be a sign that he is working his way back into the starting 11 and perhaps will mean another year in the Bundesliga’s second division.

Andrew Wooten – The Sandhausen man was a help last campaign to countryman Haji Wright. But where last year was moderately successful, this is not. Five goals in 16 total appearances and the Black and White are staring relegation right in the face. Question is where to go from here.

Terrance Boyd – At Darmstadt, Boyd was supposed to flourish. That has not happened and the clock is ticking. With 13 appearances and only one as a starter, things do not look like they are progressing and the decision needs to be what is best for him. Seems that ever since he left Rapid Vienna, his career has not been able to progress.

McKinze Gaines – At age 20, this American who left the Wolfsburg academy to join Darmstadt has not made an appearance this season since his two appearances last season. While Darmstadt is not sweating relegation, they are by no means safe and his development might be halted by this development but he is plenty young enough.

Julian Green – Joined Greuther Furth after spending the previous season there on loan. At 23, he should be blossoming, but currently just a solid player on a middle of the road second division team. One goal and one assist to show in 17 appearances in league and cup is to be expected when you are on a team that is not expecting to do much.

Jann George – Bounced around the reserves of many Bavarian clubs like Nurnberg, 1860 Munich, and Furth before Regensburg gave him a shot. That paid off and he helped them to back to back promotions into the second division where last season they were in the hunt for the playoff place. In his 18 starts, the 26 year old has four goals and two assists, very commendable.

Kevin Lankford – At age 20, Lankford is an exciting prospect at Heidenheim with six appearances this season playing on the left and right of midfield. One to watch out for in the future and as Heidenheim pushes for promotion.

Kenneth Kronholm – He might be 33, but he has been between the posts for Holstein Kiel since 2014. In his over 100 starts for the club, he has seen them rise from the fourth tier to nearly securing promotion in the playoff last campaign. Kiel will only keep winning matches against the likes of HSV and keep pace with the promotion push so long as the Fort Bolivar born keeper continues to post good performances.

Mexicans in Bundesliga

Marco Fabian – After a strong time under Niko Kovac, he has not featured much under Adi Hutter for Eintracht Frankfurt. He missed out on moving to Turkey before the recent transfer window. Not given an opportunity to return onto the pitch, there is a a good chance that yet another Mexican will leave Frankfurt.

Carlos Salcedo – A good start to the season was interrupted by a bad injury. Once recovered, he started back into the 11 for Eintracht Frankfurt. In his performances for the Eagles, there has been few who have put as much on the line. In the Ruckrunde, it is to be sure that there will be improvement as he will feature in Europe as the club pushes for top four and the knockout phase.

Trinidadian in 2.Bundesliga

Joevin Jones – Having joined Darmstadt in January, Jones has featured not only heavily this campaign, but has been a major shining light. If there is more of this in the Ruckrunde, then there will be a chance that a change will happen as he moves up in competition.