On the Record
Here's What People Are Saying About Rubio Rubin
January 08, 2015
5:47 PM
The program has developed me so much. There is competitiveness in every tackle and every inch and that makes a difference. You’re going against top players every single day and you can’t take a rest. If I had a bad week in the Academy, it wouldn’t be that bad. If I have a bad week here, there are people that are going to catch you. The games are intense and are always close. We’re playing at a high level. The competition with everything and our fitness work and technical work is making me better. The coaches do a good job of pushing me to get better every day.All of the player’s hard work did not go unnoticed and, on November 19, 2012, Rubin was named Young Athlete of the Year, with U.S. Soccer reporting that, “His commitment, one-on-one skills, willingness to defend, and positive approach to the game help him stand out as a key player.” Rubin won more plaudits when he was named Man of the Match just 10 days after receiving the U.S. Soccer award, when the U.S. U-17s drew 4-4 with Brazil in the Nike International Friendlies on November 28. In April 2013, following the 2013 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, head coach Richie Williams said, “Rubio has been great for us and he continues to get better.” Meanwhile, news started to emerge that Rubin was to go on trial with Utrecht.
Utrecht have taken 17 year old American striker Rubio Rubin on trial, he has played a exhibition game, in which he scored. #Eredivisie
— Dutch Football (@football_oranje) May 3, 2013
Portland-area U.S. U17 international RT @RubioRubin: Finally settled in, happy to be living in Holland. Loving the club especially. #Utrecht
— Liviu Bird (@liviubird) August 8, 2013
Throughout 2013, Rubin continued to turn out for the United States at various youth levels, registering performances against France—where he wore the captain’s armband and scored in a 2-2 draw—the Czech Republic, Poland, Norway and Sweden in international friendlies. He was also named MVP at the U-18 Lisbon tournament in Portugal. Toward the end of the year, he was called up by head coach Tab Ramos for an U-20 camp in Italy.
Earlier today the U.S. U20 MNT beat Atalanta Primavera 4-1 on a brace from @bspenc9 and goals by Rubio Rubin and Romain Gall.
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@ussoccer_ynt) November 19, 2013
In March 2014, when Rubin signed his first contract in Holland, the club’s head scout, Edwin de Kruijff, commented: “Rubio is one of the biggest talents from the United States.”
“FC Utrecht is a great club,” Rubin told the Dutch press. “The people and ambitions of FC Utrecht appeal to me. There was interest from numerous clubs from Europe, but my choice for FC Utrecht is a very deliberate. I hope as soon as possible to be in the Galgenwaard Stadium in front of the fanatical crowds, playing in the Eredivisie.”
In April 2014, Rubin impressed yet again for the U.S.—this time for the U-20s at the Dallas Cup. When asked whose stock had risen most at the tournament, Ramos told Brian Sciaretta:
“There were a couple. But I would have to start with Rubio Rubin because, don’t forget, Rubio is one year younger. I, of course, knew that Rubio was a great player but I didn’t know he would be able to adjust this way to the older age group because a lot of those guys normally can’t. One year is a big difference in terms of the physicality of the game. He has not only adapted, he has become certainly one of the best players and one that we definitely want to have on board.”
Elsewhere, Rubin spoke to Goal.com about his relationship with Ramos: “Tab’s a great coach. Every day he pushes us to push forward and to get in the attack and find goals and look for goals. We don’t settle for one goal, we don’t settle for two, we keep going, we keep pushing. I really like the attacking momentum. You know, it’s our first tournament. We’re looking forward to the future and working with Tab.”
Seltzer on Rubio Rubin: Utrecht very happy with how he's performed so far
— MLS Transfers (@MLSTransfers) July 17, 2014
Rubin’s fledgling Utrecht career hit a minor speed bump in late July, when he broke his nose and suffered concussion in a pre-season friendly against Dundee United. “He has to recover, so he won't play for a while," Utrecht press officer Martin Versteeg told MLSsoccer.com. "He will return to training next week, but without contact.”
Morning surgery. Still smiling and thankful. 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger' Enjoy your week, stay blessed pic.twitter.com/k8v45mmP1m
— Rubio Mendez Rubin (@RubioRubin) July 21, 2014
With striker Ruud Boymans sidelined through injury, Rubin was soon to make his professional debut for the club. He marked the occasion with an assist for Jens Toornstra’s opener, a full 90 minutes, and a 2-1 win against Willem II on August 17, 2014.
Good luck bro! @RubioRubin
— Jozy Altidore (@JozyAltidore) August 17, 2014
“I knew with the injuries that my opportunity was going to come," Rubin told MLSsoccer.com afterward. "The toughest part is the physicality of the players at the top level, that's for sure. It's something I have to get used to.”
When asked how he rated his performance by Utrecht’s official club website, Rubin said: “Of course there is room for improvement. I’m a striker, I’m supposed to score goals. I didn’t do that against Willem II. But the rush of playing in Stadium Galgenwaard was huge. It was right after the game that I took the time to actually enjoy the atmosphere. We were giving each other high fives in the center circle and in the meanwhile, I was looking around, absorbing everything. All those fans… Wow… ‘This is it. This is pretty amazing’, is what I thought. Last season, when I was on trial at FC Utrecht, I watched their games from the stands. I said to myself that one day, I want to be on that pitch rather than in the stands. Now I was there!”
Happy to have made my Pro European Debut with @fcutrecht . Win over Willem II. 3 points. Onto the next one. pic.twitter.com/IpgjxyUlOp
— Rubio Mendez Rubin (@RubioRubin) August 17, 2014
Just two weeks after making his bow in the Eredivisie, Rubin received his first call up for the U.S. men’s senior team.
“After collecting numerous caps on international youth level, receiving a call up for the U.S. national team is quite a milestone for Rubio," De Kruijff said. "Needless to say, we are very proud. He worked hard ever since he came here and is eager to keep improving.”
Especially excited to see what Rubio Rubin can do at #USMNT level. Guy is a star in the making; versatile, fast, strong, smart and skilled
— Steve Davis (@SteveDavis90) August 28, 2014
On the domestic front, Rubin was not in Alflen’s squad for Utrecht’s following game against Feyenoord but he was back in the starting XI on August 30 for an away trip to Heerenveen. Since then, the teen has played in 12 out of 13 matches, registering five assists and two goals along the way.
So integral was he becoming to his side that on September 15, 2014, it was announced that Utrecht would not release Rubin for a U-20 training camp in Argentina. Quoted via Yanks Abroad, Ramos said: “Rubio is one of the best young players we have in the entire program, just because there are very few things he can't do, he pretty much does everything right and sometimes the U-20 national team becomes a little bit secondary. The important thing for us, from a program standpoint, is that Rubio has a good pathway to our first team down the road.”
Rubin was back on international duty in October, representing the U.S. U-23 side in friendlies against Brazil.
Brazil Bound. Blessed with another adventure and opportunity in my career. pic.twitter.com/IMdHNYkuyd
— Rubio Mendez Rubin (@RubioRubin) October 9, 2014
Back in the Eredivisie, Utrecht’s manager paid tribute to the impact his new arrival was making. In an interview published on the club’s official website on October 18, he said: “Rubio is a typical American striker. And with that I mean that he moves around the field a lot, and covers big distances every single game. He’s way different then, for example, Dutchman Ruud Boymans, one of our other strikers.
“It is incredible what Rubio, being just 18 years old, already shows on the pitch and so is the progress he makes. Rubio is a man on a mission. He walks around like he is already 25 years old; very impressive.”
"Hard work pays off, you get what you put in, so why stop now.. Got to keep pushing"
— Rubio Mendez Rubin (@RubioRubin) November 1, 2014
It wasn’t long before Rubin was involved with the U.S. senior team, getting the nod from Jurgen Klinsmann to play in a friendly against Colombia at Fulham’s Craven Cottage on November 14.
Rubio Rubin. Good on you Jürgen.
— Janusz Michallik (@JanuszESPN) November 14, 2014
Happy for you bro @RubioRubin ! Get yourself one man! ????????
— Emerson Hyndman (@emersonhyndman) November 14, 2014
Partnered alongside Jozy Altidore, Rubin saw 67 minutes against a Los Cafeteros side featuring the likes of World Cup stars James Rodriguez and Juan Cuadrado. The newcomer helped to win the penalty that Altidore converted as the opening goal in a 2-1 defeat for the U.S. Klinsmann discussed Rubin in his post-match press conference, “He just confirmed on the field what he already showed in training sessions. He seems to have a very instinctive understanding with Jozy.” "I thought it was great for him, for an 18-year-old to make his first start against the No. 3 side in the world," Altidore said afterward. "I thought he did more than OK. It's a great step for him, now he knows what's expected of him at this level, what it takes. "I'm always talking to Rubio, when I'm in England I send him messages because he has a talent, you can see that. I'm happy for him. He works really hard and he has that knack of being in the right place in the right time. And that helps me."
Favorite part about yesterday's #USAvCOL match... @RubioRubin singing the National Anthem with such pride. Wish every #USMNT player did that
— USAprospects (@USAprospects) November 15, 2014
Rubin followed up his U.S. debut with another run-out against Ireland on November 18, where he was subbed on for Mix Diskerud in the 77th minute.
On November 29, Rubin bagged his first professional goal, scored in a 5-1 win against NAC Breda.
Finally!!! Wow!! An amazing feeling to finally score my first professional goal for club @fcutrecht Thank you for all the support. #uuu
— Rubio Mendez Rubin (@RubioRubin) November 29, 2014
800 - It took Rubio Rubin 800 minutes to score his first league goal for FC Utrecht. Liberated.
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) November 29, 2014
Two weeks later, his next goal came against reigning Eredivisie champions and Dutch giants, Ajax. Rubin’s strike was his side’s only goal in a 3-1 defeat at the Amsterdam Arena.
.@RubioRubin is the first American to ever make @Inbedwimaradona's 100 most exciting young players in the world. http://t.co/HHw5xgHpXY
— Spursy (@RobUsry) December 17, 2014
Just to put Rubio Rubin's media status as 'wonder kid' into perspective, he has started 11 Eredivisie matches & played 987 minutes in total.
— Simon Gleave (@SimonGleave) December 20, 2014
“Rubio Rubin is a very talented young player coming through,” Klinsmann said in January. “We want to see younger players taking their game to another level. We want to see growth. We want to see those youngsters becoming confident and strong and giving us coaches alternatives to the already established players. I think there’s talent coming through, whether it’s on U.S. soil or coming through other systems. That’s going to be an exciting topic.”
Watching the rise of Rubin and other youth-team players rise is certainly going to be exciting but what are your thoughts on the 18-year-old’s future with the U.S? Is he really the next big thing or already the subject of too much hype? Let us know below.
Laura Greene is a frequent ASN contributor. Please follow her on Twitter.