Mathis Albert’s Borussia Dortmund returns to Bundesliga action today as Europe’s top leagues resume after the international break, yet his involvement remains uncertain.
Among 13 newcomers who debuted for the USMNT recently, Albert enjoyed an impressive first FIFA window, featuring in every match as Pochettino’s youthful side swept all four friendlies.
The teen made an instant impact on his USMNT bow on September 26, earning a penalty right after entering as a second‑half sub versus Peru. Malik Tillman slotted from 12 yards as the U.S. crushed the Peruvians 4‑1 in Orlando.
That’s what we need
“First action, he steps onto the pitch and—boom—first touch, he’s off,” Pochettino told reporters after Albert’s debut. “Does he need to improve? Yes. Experience? Absolutely. Everything? Definitely. But he says: I want to get out there, I want to play, I want to show myself. That’s what we need and that’s why I’m happy.”
On September 29, Albert became the USMNT’s youngest scorer, netting in a 4‑2 victory over Chile in St. Louis. At 17 years, four months and eight days, he eclipsed Christian Pulisic’s 2016 record—though Albert’s mark lasted for just four days.
Cavan Sullivan, who turned 17 at September’s end, knocked his teammate into second when he opened his USMNT tally in a 3‑0 demolition of Mexico on October 3.
Coming off the bench against Mexico, Albert went on to earn his first USMNT start on October 6, logging an hour against Canada in St. Paul. A first‑half strike by fellow newcomer Justin Ellis secured a 1‑0 win and a flawless fall window for the Americans.
Will Albert play against Bremen?
Now Dortmund aims to preserve its perfect Bundesliga run as the Schwarzgelben visit Werder Bremen today, eyeing a stronger grip on the summit. Niko Kovač’s side sit two points ahead of Freiburg and Bayern after victories over Hamburg, Hoffenheim, Paderborn and Stuttgart.
Albert, however, has played no part in his club’s fast start to the league campaign. His sole first‑team outing came in the German Cup, a first‑round win over lower‑league HEBC Hamburg in early September.
His chances of featuring against Bremen are likely to be hampered by travel fatigue: he was among the last BVB players back from international duty this week, after a long Atlantic crossing. “Mathis is only arriving back here from America tomorrow [Thursday],” head coach Niko Kovač said ahead of Dortmund’s matchday‑five clash at Signal Iduna Park.
Borussia Dortmund vs Werder Bremen: kickoff times, how to watch in the U.S.
Dortmund vs Bremen kicks off at 2:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. PT, and will be broadcast in the U.S. on Peacock, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, Universo and Fandango.
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