From the U.S. to the Yellow Wall: Dortmund Welcomes New American Talent

Young winger Mathis Albert, born in 2009 and considered one of the most exciting young prospects in American soccer, has officially transferred to Borussia Dortmund U-17. At just 15 years old, Albert has showcased exceptional talent both in the LA Galaxy academy and on the international stage with standout performances for the U.S. U-15 and U-17 national teams.

From an early age, Mathis Albert demonstrated a natural talent for soccer, standing out among his peers. He is a fast player with excellent ball-handling skills, capable of taking on defenders with his outstanding one-on-one dribbling ability. Additionally, he has shown great aptitude for reading spaces in the attack and positioning himself well in front of the goal. Albert is a complete and versatile winger, able to finish plays or assist his teammates.

In the 2023/2024 season, Albert was a key player for the LA Galaxy U-17 team, helping them reach the final of the Generation Adidas Cup. His talent did not go unnoticed by national team selectors, and he was called up to join the U.S. U-15 team in November 2023, quickly advancing to the U-16 team. His performance with these teams has been exemplary, participating in several international tournaments.

On August 1, 2024, Mathis Albert officially joined Borussia Dortmund U-17, signing a contract until June 2027. This transfer underscores Dortmund's reputation as a club that invests in young talent, providing them with the necessary opportunities and environment to fully develop. Albert will join another top American prospect, Jack Mize, who also had an outstanding season with the German team.

At Dortmund, Albert will integrate into a robust and well-structured youth team known for its offensive and dynamic style of play. His position as a left winger fits perfectly with the team's high-pressure and fast-transition tactics, allowing him to exploit his speed and ball skills. Albert will have the opportunity to train and play alongside other emerging talents, fostering a healthy competitive environment and continuous development. His ability to adapt to this new environment will be crucial for his long-term success.

The United States Onto Another Concacaf Final

The United States took the lead in the game in the 40th minute when forward David Vazquez finished a cross from Niko Tsakiris that beat Panamanian goalkeeper Cecilio Burgess in the 40th minute, giving Michael Nsien's team a 1-0 lead at halftime. Panama equalized in the 72nd minute with a penalty kick by Rafael Mosquera.

With the score tied 1-1 in the final moments, the United States launched an attack, forcing the Panamanian defense back. It was then that Brooklyn Raines, after an attempted clearance, fired a long-distance shot that sailed into the top right corner, scoring the winning goal.

With four minutes remaining in regulation at Estadio León, Raines fired a missile from 30 yards, propelling the U.S. Under-20 Men's National Team to a 2-1 victory over Panama and advancing to their fourth consecutive Concacaf Under-20 Championship final.

The United States will now face Mexico in the final, aiming for their fourth consecutive Concacaf Under-20 Championship title on Sunday, August 4. Kickoff at Estadio León is scheduled for 5:06 pm ET.

Young Prospects Secure Their First Professional Contracts

U.S. U-16 national team duo Pedro Guimaraes and Chase Adams have secured their first professional contracts with their respective teams ahead of the 2024/2025 season.

Pedro Guimaraes has joined Orange County SC in the USL Championship after impressing as one of the top young prospects in his category. He was named to the upcoming MLS All-Star Game in Columbus while at LAFC Academy earlier this season. He also completed a training stint with Brazilian giants Flamengo in February this year.

“Pedro is one of the top youth prospects in the country, and we are thrilled he has chosen the OCSC pathway to start his professional journey,” said OCSC President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Peter Nugent.

The talented left-back was also named to the U.S. U-15 team that won the 2023 Concacaf U-15 Boys Championship in the Dominican Republic, the first U.S. team to win the tournament. Guimaraes appeared in all eight matches of the tournament, starting three of them.

Since then, he has also been named to three U.S. U-16 training camps this year, including the May camp with matches against Argentina and Uruguay, where he recorded an assist in the match against Argentina.

“I am very excited to sign my first professional contract with Orange County SC,” said Guimaraes. “It is something I have been working towards since I started playing this sport, and God has guided me to this moment, through paths I will never forget.”

Meanwhile, Columbus Crew 2 has signed Crew Academy forward Chase Adams to an MLS NEXT Pro contract for the remainder of the 2024 season.

“I couldn’t be more excited to continue working with Chase as he continues to develop in Columbus,” said Player Development Director Dan Lock. “On and off the field, Chase is committed to improving himself and the team, which has resulted in an MLS NEXT Pro contract.”

Adams, who joined Crew Academy in January 2023 at the U-15 level, signed with Crew 2 earlier in the 2024 season with an amateur contract. The 16-year-old forward was recognized as an MLS NEXT All-Star earlier this month.

Like Pedro Guimaraes, Adams was selected to participate in the U.S. U-16 national team training camp in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He also competed in the 2023 Concacaf U-15 Championship, scoring two goals in the 4-2 victory over Mexico in the final to secure the tournament win.