It’s 20 years since Germany beat the USA in the quarter finals of the World Cup. They can’t meet until the semi-finals in Qatar later this year, but don’t bet on that happening. There are several American footballers who play in the Bundesliga. Will they be heading to Qatar in November?
This 2022/23 season is going to be like one we’ve never seen before. We’re used to a winter break but not one that goes on from mid-November to nearly the end of January. You can bet on a lot of Christmas shopping having to be undertaken with your partners in December!
The first part of the season will be vital for German clubs of course. However, it’s going to be important for players too as they try to impress national managers and secure a place in the World Cup.
That’s going to be the case for several American players in the Bundesliga. One player who will look to defy the odds and make it to Qatar is Joe Scally who plays for Borussia Monchengladbach.
Scally began his career with New York City. After completing the 2020 MLS season, he headed to Germany to join Monchengladbach and played 31 games for them last season. It seems to have worked wonders for his international playing career.
Last November saw the full-back make it into the USA senior squad for the first time. He made his international debut against Morocco last month. If he can get a good start to the new season, then the odds are he may well make the USA squad for the 2022 World Cup.
He’s only 19 years-old and not 20 until New Year’s Eve. You can bet getting into the World Cup squad would be an ideal early birthday present.
He’s not the only left-back looking to make it to Qatar, while playing in Germany. George Bello plays for Arminia Bielefeld and will be looking to see his team win promotion in the 2022/23 to make an immediate return to the top flight.
Bello was born in Nigeria but when just one year old, his parents moved to the USA. He initially played for the Southern Soccer Academy who had links with Chelsea. However, Bello never made it to Stamford Bridge.
He began his professional career with Atlanta United but in 2021, as with many American players, he made his way to Europe. Armenia Bielefeld signed the left-back and he made ten appearances for them last season but couldn’t keep them up.
The 20-year-old has played one game for the USA side this year, making it seven caps in all. Could playing in Bundesliga II count against him, that might just increase the odds of him going to Qatar. If you are planning to bet on football, look out for the best odds and sportsbook promos here before placing your bets.
Another USA international who was born in Germany is attacking midfielder Malik Tillman. He celebrated his 20th birthday in May and plays for Bayern Munich.
As a youth he was at Greuther Furth but he and his brother Timothy (now returned to his former club) signed for Bayern Munich in 2015. He played for Bayern Munich II before making his debut for the Bundesliga side last year.
Tillman scored on his debut in the 12-0 thrashing of Bremer SV in the DFB-Pokal tie. Sportsbooks were offering slightly higher odds when Bayern took on Barcelona in the Champions League and Tillman again came on as a substitute but didn’t get on the scoresheet this time.
His international career has been an interesting one. He played for the USA under-15 team being eligible because he had an American father. However, Tillman then played 19 games for Germany at youth/under-21 level.
This year saw him decide to play for the USA, probably believing the odds of him having an international career with them, rather than Germany were a bit better. May 31 saw his decision approved by FIFA and the following day he made his full debut for them against Morocco.
He’s played two internationals for them now, so you can bet he’ll be hoping to make it to Qatar even though he’s unlikely to get too many games with Bayern and may move to Rangers.. How would he feel if playing against Germany though?
Defender Chris Richards has played eight times for the USA. He’s spent the past two seasons being loaned by Bayern Munich to Hoffenheim.
Giovanni Reyna of Borussia Dortmund has a good chance of making the USA squad. He’s played 12 internationals and scored four goals. Augsburg’s Ricardo Pepi might make it if scoring some goals in the coming months.
It’s going to be a strange season with such a gap between November and January. The odds are players will be battling hard to ensure that break is spent in Qatar.
