USMNT: Risk or Reward? The World Cup Dilemma of the Stars.

The Pre-World Cup Dilemma: Risk vs. Reward for Footballers

In professional football, the 12 months leading up to the World Cup are a period of crucial decisions, where players must balance risk and reward. Do they opt for safety and stay at their current club, risking stagnation? Or do they take the risk of seeking a new destination, regardless of the consequences for the World Cup? There is also a third option: to evaluate the need for a change, but with caution. This dilemma has been faced by players of the United States national team, both current and former. In the last transfer period, Gio Reyna joined Borussia Mönchengladbach, Matt Turner secured a loan to the New England Revolution, his former club, and Paxten Aaronson surprised by leaving Eintracht Frankfurt to return to MLS with the Colorado Rapids. Others, like Yunus Musah of AC Milan, may be considering a change. They are not the first to make these decisions.

The goal is always the same: to ensure a good game situation and reach an optimal level so that the coach has no choice but to call you up for the World Cup.

Alofoke Deportes

Reaching that goal implies different challenges for each player, as these examples demonstrate.

Betting Big: The Case of Stuart Holden

Fifteen years ago, Stuart Holden decided to risk it all. He let his contract with the Houston Dynamo expire, becoming a free agent to pursue his dream of playing in the English Premier League. After a friendly against Denmark in November 2009, Holden spoke with then-coach Bob Bradley about his chances of being called up for the 2010 World Cup. Holden recalls being told his chances were around 60%. Two months later, he signed with Bolton Wanderers, who at the time played in the Premier League. Holden was aware of the importance of the World Cup and the possible consequences of his decision.

I never had anything guaranteed by Bob. I knew that if I went to Bolton and didn’t play, it would put me in a very difficult position to try and be in the team.

Stuart Holden

Holden was confident in his game and focused on becoming a regular starter at Bolton. He knew that if he achieved that goal, the World Cup would come on its own. However, he knew it wouldn’t be easy. For Holden, the months leading up to the World Cup were complicated. He was not called up for Bolton’s matches until the end of February. Shortly after, a tackle by Nigel de Jong in a friendly against the Netherlands caused a fibula fracture that required surgery. Holden recovered in time to play in Bolton’s last game of the season. Bradley knew he wasn’t fully fit, but still included him in the United States squad. Although Holden’s later years in Europe were marked by injuries, he still feels he made the right decision. He could have renewed with MLS and “stayed in Houston for a couple of years” until the World Cup and beyond. But he felt he would have settled.

It turned out to be the best decision of my life, and I was able to go play in the Premier League. But I guess, looking back, it could have gone completely the other way.

Stuart Holden

Yunus Musah explains what Mauricio Pochettino has brought to the USMNT since taking over as coach.

A Different Bet: Paxten Aaronson’s Return to MLS

Paxten Aaronson seemed to have it all in Europe. He played for Eintracht Frankfurt, who finished third in the Bundesliga last season. He had two productive loan spells in the Netherlands, first at Vitesse and then at FC Utrecht, where he was nominated for the Johan Cruyff Young Talent of the Year award at the end of last season. That’s why it caused surprise when it was announced that Aaronson was signing for the Colorado Rapids at the beginning of August. Why leave Europe just when things were starting to work, and at 22 years old? It turned out that there were some things that Frankfurt couldn’t offer Aaronson. One of them was consistent minutes on the field.

They told me that I probably wouldn’t have the playing time I needed at this stage of my career, and especially after the season I had last year. So I knew it was time to find another team, and they knew it too.

Paxten Aaronson

A second problem was stability, or in Aaronson’s case, the lack thereof. Another year on loan was not attractive, and Aaronson said he wanted to put down roots. He also spoke of “small things” that accumulated during his time in Europe, although he also mentioned one big thing. Early in his time in Frankfurt, and while at a national team camp, his apartment caught fire and he lost his belongings.

Aaronson recalled that the final decision was difficult. There was European interest. There were “four days of much reflection”. He didn’t sleep. But finally, he decided to go to Colorado, with coach Chris Armas’ proposal to make Aaronson a key piece, which proved vital. For Aaronson, he was betting on himself, similarly to how Holden did 15 years before.

I know that if I play every game and give it my all, then yes, why wouldn’t I be on the team? I believe in my quality and my abilities. And I’ve already proven it before. So, once I commit to things, yes, I go full speed and never look back, which I think is an important mentality.

Paxten Aaronson

Matt Turner’s Emotional Rollercoaster

Matt Turner has experienced ups and downs in recent months, despite being clear about what he needed to do. After a season in which he only played four games, none in the league, while on loan at Crystal Palace, he knew he had to leave Nottingham Forest and find a place where he could play regularly. His starting position with the USMNT was already in danger, with Matt Freese of New York City FC playing every minute in the Gold Cup while Turner watched from the bench.

The American goalkeeper thought he had found the right club when he moved to Lyon of Ligue 1 for $9 million. But a tumultuous financial situation, which almost caused Lyon’s relegation to Ligue 2, meant that budgets were cut, and Turner was a victim. That meant starting over. English Championship teams were interested, but Turner felt he was “stuck” in England, and at Palace he lost a bit of his edge, knowing he would be in the shadow of starter Dean Henderson each week. At the Premier League level, he was considered a substitute. Turner still hopes to return to Europe, but knows he needs to rebuild his game a bit. Turner recalled that New England was “ready to move faster”, and finally secured a one-year loan to the club where he began his professional career. Turner will also have the opportunity to work with goalkeeping coach Kevin Hitchcock once again. Turner’s motivation was not solely based on his prospects for the World Cup, or on the desire to return to his former club. Turner’s son was born with a heart defect, which forced his wife, Ashley, to make periodic trips to the United States for treatment in Boston. That trip will be much shorter now. Proximity to family was another advantage. Turner said Pochettino was “aware” of everything that was happening, and although he relied on the advice of the American coach, he would ultimately do what was best for himself and his family. The move is having the desired effect in its club form. In three games, two of which the Revs have won, it has already prevented 1.62 expected goals. It’s not that Turner takes anything for granted. It wasn’t enough to be called up again to the USMNT for the September period.