22015_isi-zelalemgedion_intbs072614148 Brad Smith/isiphotos.com
Americans Abroad

Reserve List: Yanks Prosper Abroad on Youth Squads

It’s not all bad news overseas. As Josh Deaver proves below, there are numerous American soccer players making an impact abroad—they just happen to be playing for their clubs’ reserve sides.
BY Josh Deaver Posted
February 20, 2015
9:58 AM
IN RECENT MONTHS the Bermuda-born, San Jose-raised Djair Parfitt-Williams has been steadily climbing the ranks of West Ham youth system. Since the start of 2015, the 18-year-old has joined the Hammers’ U-21 reserve squad on a full-time basis, and has made four consecutive starts to kick off the new year. On January 5th, Parfitt-Willaims tallied a late winner in a victory over Leicester City and since then has been a steady fixture in the starting XI. Although his official international status is currently unknown, he is hoping to receive an opportunity with the U.S. national team upon receiving his American citizenship.

At West Ham, Parfitt-Williams plays alongside U.S. youth team veteran Sebastian Lletget, who currently finds himself at a crossroads of his time in England. The 22-year-old—he's the oldest player on the team—features regularly for the Hammers but remains unable to crack the first-team lineup. Thus far his only appearance with the senior side came late last season in a 5-0 FA Cup loss to Nottingham Forrest. Unfortunately, examining the current demographics of the Premier League side, it doesn’t appear likely he will receive significant minutes in the immediate future—leading to rumblings that he could already have one foot out the door.

Nevertheless, Lletget continues to produce; including this goal against Chelsea— assisted by fellow Californian Parfitt-Williams.

NOT SINGING THE BLUES

A steady presence in the midfield for the Chelsea U-18s, 17-year old English-American Kyle Scott is on a sharp run of form and has recently enjoyed a good run of form for the Blues’ reserves as well as training time with the first team.

Deployed as a No.10, Scott has shown moments of real quality, including a late winner against Porto as part of the FA International Cup in January (6:57 mark in the video below).

Last week, Scott was back with the U-18s, scoring again in a 5-0 thrashing of Norwich City.

Z FOR ZELALEM

No England-based American has been busier than Gedion Zelalem so far in 2015. Spread across multiple squads and competitions, the 18-year-old has become a Swiss Army Knife for the Arsenal youth system. Since January, he has featured at the U-18, U-19 and U-21 levels, including matches in the FA Youth Cup and UEFA Youth League. Awaiting a U.S. national team debut, his legend continues to grow—one GIF at a time.

ROYAL RAMPAGE

Despite some early American success stories in 2015, no player is in better form than under-20 striker Andrija Novakovich. The Wisconsin native is currently lighting up the scoreboard for Reading’s U-18s, scoring in his last four appearances for the Royals—against Arsenal, Leicester City, Southampton (below, 2:45 mark) and Tottenham. Unlike many of his U-20 national team brethren, Novakovich was not released by his club for CONCACAF Championships last month. Displaying this form, you can expect him to contend for a World Cup roster spot.

Auf Wiedersehen, America

No big deal or anything, that’s just newly signed U.S. under-17 superstar Christian Pulisic in training with the Borussia Dortmund first team. If you haven’t seen him, here’s a video to get you sufficiently aboard the #hypetrain.

Former Chicago Magic midfielder and U.S. youth team standout Abuchi Obinwa made it official last month, signing his first professional contract with Bundesliga outfit Hannover. Read more about Obinwa here.

SPAIN TOO?

Yup, there are even Americans there. Joining Boxi Yomba, the Georgia native currently featuring in Atletico Madrid’s Juvenil Division de Honor, is Minnesota Thunder academy product Mukwelle Akale. Upon turning 18 in January, Akale officially signed on with La Liga’s Villarreal. Another in a line of up-and-coming creative central players, Akale received his first minutes for the club last week. Watch no.10 in yellow.

QUICK HITS

  • U.S. under-17 prospect Luca De la Torre is receiving more and more time with the Fulham reserves, making the gameday roster for recent matches against Manchester United and West Ham.

  • Under-20 defender/midfielder Jesus Vasquez, who made his national team debut at last April’s Dallas Cup, scored last week for Leones Negros.

  • So did Santos’ Herbert Robinson...

  • Tijuana’s Paul Arriola has also been feeling it since returning from the under-20 CONCACAF Championship, scoring on January 30th as part of a 4-1 win over Monarcas, and earlier this week in a 1-1 draw with Pumas UNAM.

  • Let’s wrap this up with a nice goal from Junior Flores, shall we?

    ASN Contributing Editor Josh Deaver is a former academic turned soccer obsessive. Follow him on Twitter.

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