After a bit of a false start, could it be time for Julian Green to make his mark?
The American international burst onto the scene with a goal against Belgium at the 2014 World Cup, but has struggled for both goals and minutes since.
What do we mean by struggled? Well, he got just 62 minutes of action with Bayern Munich last season (no, he didn’t score) after five appearances on loan with Hamburg the season before (one start, no goals).
He’s fared quite a bit better for Bayern’s second string, but at 21 he’s reaching the stage in his career where he’d hope to break through.
A pre-season tour of his home country offered an opportunity for the Floridian to make an impression, and he did more than that, scoring a first-half hat-trick in a friendly against Internazionale.
https://twitter.com/iMiaSanMia/status/759506270663606276
Those American fans watching the game offered a balanced assessment, acknowledging that we shouldn’t read too much into pre-season friendlies.
Just kidding.
Julian Green, after saying he wants to make Bayern's first team, has a hattrick through one half. Incredible.
— Carter (@BostonsFuture) July 30, 2016
https://twitter.com/Zach_Nighthawk/status/759509215618691072
Move over Pulisic, Julian Green wants to be the first "future of U.S soccer" success story. Freddy Adu, where you at?
— Steverino (@SJFrazz) July 30, 2016
https://twitter.com/Venat0ri/status/759503120628117504
JULIAN GREEN SCORES FOR BAYERN!!! Future of US soccer.
— mac (@iknowimjaded) July 30, 2016
Of course, there has never been another example of a player banging in the goals in a pre-season game and then failing to produce when it matters.
No, nothing to worry about there. No reason to consider this an overreaction whatsoever.
Sanogo Hattrick! this is gonna be his year! #2pl
— Vegard (@VegardNomerstad) August 2, 2014
https://twitter.com/JeremiahRiddile/status/495694588850753537
Congrats Yaya Sanogo (4!) & Joel Campbell (1) for goals for Arsenal today v Benfica. Optimistic for new season.
— Matthew Vizard (@MatthewVizard) August 2, 2014
https://twitter.com/le_brofessor/status/495677611356721152