Young Players to Watch: US Men's Soccer

by Stephen Barston

The 2014 World Cup will be an inevitably difficult one for the US Men's Soccer team. Jurgen Klinsmann's side will have the opportunity to either impress all of the critics or fall incredibly short against powerhouse squads Germany, Portugal, and Ghana. In order to achieve the former, Klinsmann will need to combine experience with youthful talent and energy. Here are three youngsters (less than 21 years old) to look out for that could make an impact in Brazil come June.

1. Julian Green (born June 6, 1995): Green is a highly sought-after winger who plays for potentially the best club team in the world at this moment, FC Bayern Munich. He was born in Tampa, FL and has played for clubs in Germany since his early teenage years, allowing him to either represent the US (as he did at the U-18 level) or Germany (as he did at the U-19 level). Green's pace and finishing ability is incredible for his age, and if Klinsmann wants to cap-tie this young star to the American squad, an invitation to the World Cup might be too enticing to turn down.

2. John Brooks (born January 28, 1993): Brooks was one of the main reasons why his club side, Hertha BSC, was promoted to the top tier of German association football this season. He combines athleticism and speed with strength and size and can indubitably help the inconsistent American back four, especially if paired with a slower centerback who might not be able to recover from mistakes as quickly as he can. Brooks currently has two caps for the Stars and Stripes and Klinsmann should look to use him this summer if he wants to limit the goals his opponents score.

3. DeAndre Yedlin (born July 9, 1993): Unlike Brooks, who only recently decided to play for the Americans over his birth country of Germany, Yedlin has come up through the US system, even representing the American side at the U-20 World Cup this past summer in Istanbul. His pace and agility can help him move up the pitch as an attacking threat and catch up to fast wingers on the left, like Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo's Portugal seems to be a formidable opponent in Group G and Yedlin can help the American effort to at least contain the aforementioned Real Madrid superstar, especially when slower fullbacks, which are plentiful on the US roster, could get burned.

Julian Green, the top prospect from FC Bayern Munich,
is one of the most promising young players in the world.