re: USMNT: U-20 WCQ roster set

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Julian Green, a rising talent at Bayern Munich, only lived in the United States for two years before moving to Germany, but those couple of years might be pretty significant in the near future for the player and the U.S. Soccer Federation.

Green was born in Tampa Bay, Florida, but left for Germany at the tender age of two years old. He still makes an annual trip back to the Sunshine State to visit his father, but spends most of his time scoring goals for Bayern Munich youth teams.

The striker netted 17 goals in 25 games last season for Bayern Munich U17, best on the team and top four in the Bundesliga Jugend Südwest.

The impressive season was enough to get him a couple of looks with the Germany U17 National Team in November. Green came off the bench in two friendlies against Azerbaijan.

Last season, the youngster appeared in four games with the German U16 National Team. Fittingly, he scored in his debut.

“A very special moment for me was when I was called up to play for the German Under 16 National team,” Green told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “It was a game against Cyprus in which I was also fortunate enough to score.”

Despite the appearances with the German Youth National Teams, the Bayern Munich academy standout had not closed the door on a possible future with the U.S. National Team.

“I have both the German and the American citizenship so I am still eligible to play for both nations,” Green said. “We will have to wait and see what will happen.”

Earlier this year, U.S. Soccer inquired with the Bayern Munich U17 coach about potentially calling the striker into a U18 Men’s National Team camp – the follow-up call never happened.

“Then they said they would notify me directly, yet since then three months have passed and nothing has happened,” Green added about the current situation.

While the reason behind the delay is unclear (the Federation typically does not discuss potential youth team call ups), Green's talent is undeniable.

His dynamic change of pace and ease in front of the net has made him one of the more promising prospects passing through the World-renowned academy that produced six members of the current Germany Men’s National Team.

Reports from German media outlets have said that nearly one in four players from the Bayern Munich Academy make it to first team level. Green was unsure if that figure was indeed accurate, but said he does not let the pressure that surrounds such a competitive environment get to him.

“That could be, yet I try not to think about these statistics too much and rather look at what I can do to improve my game,” Green said. “I believe in my strengths, which takes off a lot of the pressure that is put on me. One can only judge later if it was enough.”

Green, who dons the No. 10 jersey, has excelled within the demands of the academy. His 17 goals in league play clearly showcased his abilities, but he also performed exceptionally well during the Aegon Future Cup in the Netherlands in April where his team finished fourth against the likes of FC Barcelona, Ajax, and Manchester United.

Despite the acclaim, he did not have a definite opinion about whether this was his best season with Bayern.

“If it has truly has been my best season, I cannot say. I have already had a season at Bayern Munich in which I scored 28 goals in all competitions.

“But it is getting harder and harder every year due to the rise in ability the higher you advance in the youth system at Bayern Munich. Therefore, I am very pleased with the course of the season personally.”

The years at Bayern are adding up for Green, he started with the club at 12 years old after being scouted with a regional-select team.

“I have an ‘Ausbildungsvertrag’ (development contract), which states that I will pass through every Bayern Munich youth team up to the amateurs. What happens after that, we will have to see.”

Next season, Green will join the Bayern U19 squad, as he continues to climb the ladder of the club toward the first team.

While the goals seem to follow the dynamic striker everywhere he goes, U.S. Soccer fans are left wondering why the camp call ups have not come at him with the same frequency.

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