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Liga MX Record Breakers & Youth Talents Answer The National Team Call
As we approach the start of the 2024-25 MLS NEXT season we already have players showcasing their talents around the world before a ball for the new season is even kicked! From European academy debuts, to first time National Team call ups, to young MLS Premier League transfer, all the way to record breaking events abroad. The growth of the American game has never developed at a faster rate.
Born in 2009, young forward Mathis Albert had a weekend to remember, as the Borussia Dortmund striker made his debut for the U-19 team in the German youth cup. Mathis received 19 minutes on the field where he came on and scored his penalty in the penalty shootout against Bayer Leverkusen.
Albert, who recently joined the German team, has quickly demonstrated his talent and has made a great impression on the Borussia Dortmund coaching staff who are beginning to rate him highly and have promoted him to the U-19 team for this match.
15-year-old Mathis Albert with Borussia Dortmund U-17’s today ⤵️
⏰ 60 minutes played
⚽️ One goal
🅰️ Two assistsMaking a quick impact at the German club 👏
— Footy Access (@footy_access)
2:52 PM • Sep 1, 2024
In addition, the 15-year-old striker put up a stellar performance this past Sunday with the Borussia Dortmund U-17 team where he played 60 minutes, scoring one goal and providing two assists, all while being the best player on the field. It was a performance that showed the maturity and class of the young American as he works himself up the ranks of one of the most prestigious footballing academies in the world.
Mathis Albert will start prepping to join a talented United States U-17 national team squad, as they take a trip to the Czech Republic to play in matches against Germany, Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
La Masia Star Diego Kochen Earns First U.S. National Team Call-Up
18-year-old FC Barcelona keeper Diego Kochen has been called into the United States Men’s National Team for their upcoming camp with matches vs. Canada and New Zealand 🇺🇸
His first senior call-up at just 18, one to keep an eye on 👀
— Footy Access (@footy_access)
8:13 PM • Sep 1, 2024
The United States National Team announced its squad for the friendly matches against Canada and New Zealand that will be played on September 7th and September 10th respectively. The big surprise on the list is the call up of a youth American Goalkeeper that is currently playing in Barcelona B, goalkeeper Diego Kochen.
Kochen is an 18-year-old footballer who has three nationalities: Venezuelan (father), Peruvian (mother) and American (birth). The 1.88-meter player began his career at the Weston Academy in his native country, then played for the Tecnofutbol School in Spain, and in 2019, arrived at La Masía del Barcelona. His standout performances in the Catalans' lower categories allowed him to be promoted to the main team in the 2023-24 season.
Preseason ⚔️💪🏼
— Diego Kochen (@Diego_Kochen)
10:46 AM • Jul 22, 2024
The goalkeeper is considered a young promise of the club (he has a contract until 2028) and debuted for the Catalans in 2023 during a friendly match against América of Mexico. Although he is part of Barcelona Atlètic, the goalkeeper is highly regarded by coach, Hansi Flick, and was given the opportunity to participate in the preseason they carried out in the United States.
The American goalkeeper had a great performance in his last game with Barca Atlètic. Although he conceded a goal in the 91st minute against Real Unión, that did not tarnish his remarkable performance in his debut of the reserve team in the First Federation. Kochen, 18 years old, added his second game with Barça Atlètic after his debut last season against Unionistas.
With this call up to the senior national team, he limits his possibilities of representing other countries for which he is eligible in the future. Spain is one of his eligible nationalities that had shown interest in the young goalkeeper, but he has opted for the United States instead.
Rising MLS Talents Secure Premier League Transfers
📝 𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗟 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗘: Nottingham Forest have announced the signing of Kristian Fletcher from DC United on an initial loan, with an option to buy.
(Source: @NFFC)
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive)
4:46 PM • Aug 30, 2024
Another MLS youngster moves to England, as D.C. United have officially loaned homegrown forward Kristian Fletcher to Nottingham Forest FC of the English Premier League, the MLS club announced Friday.
Fletcher, 19, will join Nottingham's under-21 team. The loan period will run until June 2025.
"This is another important milestone in Kristian's development and maturation as a youth player,”
"Going abroad and gaining experience at a Premier League team is a testament to the work Kristian has put in to earn this opportunity."
Fletcher has recorded two goals and two assists in 25 MLS games (three starts) since making his DC debut in 2022.
This is the Maryland native's second move abroad, having played with EFL Championship side Swansea City on loan back in 2023.
Gilberto Mora Secures His Legacy On a Record Breaking Liga MX Night
Xolos de Tijuana's youngster, Gilberto Mora, just wrote his name into the history books by becoming the youngest player to score in Liga MX, at just 15 years of age.
In his first start under Juan Carlos Osorio, the Tuxtla Gutierrez native not only showed his talent, but also made the most of the opportunity by scoring his first professional goal in the clash against León, making it 2-1 to put his side up ahead.
The Xolos prodigy needed just over 100 minutes in the top flight to make his debut as a goalscorer. Despite not being a forward, he has shown across two appearances that his offensive awareness is far beyond his years as he seems to have an eye for an assist and an eye for goal. His debut in Liga MX had generated great expectations, and with this goal, he has not only met them, but has exceeded them.
Despite his young age, Mora has already been part of processes with Mexican youth teams, where he has also left his mark with his talent. After his recent debut in the first division, his name began to be linked with various European clubs, more specifically, Feyenoord, who are closely following his development, and will surely continue to do so after his record-breaking goal.