Within minutes of stepping onto the pitch, 17‑year‑old Mathis Albert forced a penalty that helped the USMNT cruise to a 4‑1 friendly win over Peru.
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Making your senior international debut is one thing. Helping change the course of a game almost immediately is another. For Albert, Saturday’s outing in Orlando offered the chance to do both.
With the score level at 1-1, Mauricio Pochettino introduced the Borussia Dortmund youngster in place of former BVB and Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Gio Reyna shortly after the hour mark. It proved an inspired change, with Albert quickly giving Peru something new to think about.
An explosive burst down the left took the teenager clear before Jesús Pretell brought him down near the edge of the penalty area. The referee pointed to the spot, allowing Tillman to restore the hosts’ lead in the 66th minute.
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Albert’s half-hour debut was certainly a lively one for the USMNT. – IMAGO/Taylor McFee –>
His early disruption set the tone, and for my money, Albert’s composure hints at a future starring role.
April saw the youngster become the youngest American ever in the Bundesliga, debuting for Dortmund against Freiburg at 16 years, 11 months and five days, eclipsing a record once held by Christian Reyna, the very player he substituted in the Peru match.
He also completed a full 90 minutes in a 5‑0 DFB Cup win over HEBC Hamburg. Will Albert soon earn regular minutes in Dortmund’s lineup, or will his breakthrough be delayed?
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There may still be plenty of development to come, but Albert has already given both Pochettino and Niko Kovač a reason to take another look. For Dortmund’s latest American prospect, it was an encouraging first foray into the international game.
Albert will be hoping for more minutes as this extended international break continues, with the USA still set to face Chile (29 September), Mexico (3 October) and Canada (6 October) in a series of friendly encounters.
Dortmund’s Bundesliga campaign will then resume as they welcome Werder Bremen to the Westfalenstadion on 9 October, with Kovač’s charges looking to extend their lead atop the league table.
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