U.S. men's rising generation faces vital seasons in time of transition

Despite claims of a "lost generation" after another Olympic qualifying failure, USA's rising stars can still state cases for the present and future with showings at the club level.

Avi Creditor | Jul 28, 2016

U.S. men's rising generation faces vital seasons in time of transition /

Transition is in the air.

Transitions for players from club to club during the transfer window. Transitions for clubs from last season's winners and losers to the new hopes for the seasons ahead. More locally, transitions for MLS clubs from long-standing managers and transitions from the All-Star Game to the playoff push. And most prominently in the U.S., transitions from one set of national team players to the next (and, of course, the transition from one site design to another here at SI!).

The U.S. men won't be going to the Olympics, prompting another "lost generation" conversation sparked by U.S. manager and technical director Jurgen Klinsmann. And while there's truth to the fact that not going to Rio is another setback, headway can still be made for rising teenagers and young 20-somethings on the club level. The problem is, some of the most prominent players for the future are set to start vital, turning-point seasons abroad, during which meaningful playing time and fast-tracked development are anything but givens.

The list of intriguing prospects on the horizon for the near and distant future is one that inspires hope, but that list, as of now, primarily remains on paper and that hope remains hypothetical.

GALLERY: U.S. Soccer's 2016 in photos

U.S. Soccer in 2016: USMNT and USWNT year in photos

Klinsmann fired, replaced by Arena

Jurgen Klinsmann was fired after the USA's World Cup qualifying loss in Costa Rica, bringing an end to more than five years in charge. He was replaced by Bruce Arena, who returns to the bench after coaching the USA from 1998-2006.

USMNT vs. Costa Rica, November 15

The dejected faces on Bobby Wood, left, and John Brooks say it all, as the U.S. drops to 0-2-0 in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying Hexagonal following a 4-0 loss and embarrassment at Costa Rica.

USWNT vs. Romania, November 13

Morgan Brian gets a congratulatory hug after her converted penalty kick, which helped the U.S. women close out 2016 with a 5-0 rout of Romania at StubHub Center in Carson, California.

USMNT vs. Mexico, November 11

Mexico players celebrate Rafa Marquez's late winner, which delivered a 2-1 triumph for El Tri over the USA to open the CONCACAF Hexagonal. It ended years of U.S. domination over Mexico in Columbus.

USWNT vs. Romania, November 10

Crystal Dunn congratulates Christen Press on one of her three goals as the USA handled Romania with ease, winning 8-1 at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, California.

USWNT vs. Switzerland, October 23

Carli Lloyd gets a hearty welcome after scoring on a long-range blast to kick-start the U.S. in a 5-1 rout of Switzerland in Minneapolis.

USWNT vs. Switzerland, October 19

A new-look U.S. women's team routed Switzerland 4-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, with Samantha Mewis (3) at the center of the celebrations after scoring the final goal of four-goal second half.

USMNT vs. New Zealand, October 11

Julian Green is congratulated by captain Michael Bradley after scoring the opener, but the U.S. was forced to settle for a 1-1 draw vs. New Zealand in the last game before the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying Hexagonal kicks off.

USMNT vs. Cuba, October 7

Chris Wondolowski scored a goal and assisted on another, as the USA continued World Cup qualifying preparations by beating Cuba 2-0 in a historic friendly in Havana.

USWNT vs. Netherlands, September 18

Carli Lloyd celebrates her goal that kicks off the scoring for the USA in a 3-1 win over the Netherlands at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

USWNT vs. Thailand, September 15

U.S. women's national team co-captain Carli Lloyd happily signs autographs after scoring a hat trick in a 9-0 romp over Thailand in Columbus, Ohio.

USWNT vs. Thailand, September 15

Megan Rapinoe kneels for the national anthem ahead of the U.S. women's national team's match vs. Thailand, continuing her public protest in line with that of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

USMNT vs. Trinidad & Tobago, September 6

Fabian Johnson, Christian Pulisic and Sacha Kljestan celebrate during a 4-0 win, which cemented the USA's place atop its World Cup qualifying group and a berth in the CONCACAF hexagonal.

Hope Solo's USWNT contract terminated

Following the USWNT's Olympic loss to Sweden, Hope Solo lashed out at the opposition, calling them "cowards" and drawing the ire of U.S. Soccer. The incident pushed the federation over the edge, and it terminated the goalkeeper's contract while suspending her six months–meaning any chance at reinstatement won't be possible until February.

USWNT vs. Sweden, August 12

The long and stunned faces say it all, as the U.S. women try to comprehend a penalty-kick loss to Sweden in the Olympic quarterfinals. The 4-3 PK defeat after a 1-1 draw marked the earliest ouster for the U.S. women in a major competition ever.

USWNT vs. Colombia, August 9

Hope Solo lets a Catalina Usme free kick slip through her hands and legs in a shocking 2-2 draw. The USA still won its Olympic group despite the slip-up.

USWNT vs. France, August 6

Carli Lloyd scores the only goal in a 1-0 win over a stout France side to punch the USA's ticket to the knockout stage at the Olympics.

USWNT vs. New Zealand, August 3

Carli Lloyd celebrates her goal in the USA's 2-0 win over New Zealand in their opening match of group play at the Olympics. Alex Morgan doubled the USA's lead in the second half.

USWNT vs. Costa Rica, July 22

Christen Press and Carli Lloyd celebrate an easy 4-0 win, which sent the U.S. on its way to Rio with an unbeaten record in 2016.

USWNT vs. South Africa, July 9

Hope Solo salutes the crowd after posting the 100th clean sheet of her career in a 1-0 win in Chicago. Crystal Dunn scored the lone goal.

USMNT vs. Colombia, June 25

For a second time at Copa America, the USA falls to Colombia, with Carlos Bacca's goal the difference in a 1-0 result in the third-place match in Arizona.

USMNT vs. Argentina, June 21

Lionel Messi converts an incredible free kick to punctuate a dominant performance for Argentina against the USA in the Copa America semifinals.

USMNT vs. Ecuador, June 16

Goal scorers Clint Dempsey and Gyasi Zardes share a celebratory hug with Matt Besler in the Copa America quarterfinals, where the Americans held on for a 2-1 win and a place in the semis.

USMNT vs. Paraguay, June 11

Clint Dempsey celebrates his goal in a 1-0 win over Paraguay, which secured the USA's place in the Copa America knockout stage.

USMNT vs. Costa Rica, June 7

Bobby Wood caps a dominating first half for the USA in a must-win game vs. Costa Rica in Chicago at Copa America. Clint Dempsey, Jermaine Jones and Graham Zusi also scored.

USWNT vs. Japan, June 5

Co-captain Becky Sauerbrunn defends as the U.S. bounces back to shut out Japan 2-0 in a rain-shortened friendly in Cleveland.

USMNT vs. Colombia, June 3

James Rodriguez beats Brad Guzan from the penalty spot in Colombia's 2-0 win over the USA to open Copa America Centenario.

USWNT vs. Japan, June 2

Lindsey Horan heads the USA in front to cap a comeback from two goals down, but the Americans conceded in extra time to 10-woman Japan, settling for a 3-3 draw.

USMNT vs. Bolivia, May 29

Christian Pulisic scores his first international goal in the USA's 4-0 win over Bolivia in a final tune-up for Copa America. Gyasi Zardes scored twice, and John Brooks added one of his own in the triumph.

USMNT vs. Ecuador, May 25

Darlington Nagbe is hugged by Christian Pulisic after his 90th-minute volley delivers a 1-0 victory for the USA in a pre-Copa America friendly.

USMNT vs. Puerto Rico, May 22

Tim Ream scores the opening goal in the USA's 3-0 win over Puerto Rico in the first meeting between the two sides. Bobby Wood and Paul Arriola scored as well.

USWNT vs. Colombia, April 10

Julie Johnston, left, is mobbed after one of her two goals in a 3-0 USA win at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, Pennsylvania.

USWNT vs. Colombia, April 6

Allie Long, left scores twice, and five other players score as well in a 7-0 rout of Colombia in East Hartford, Connecticut.

USMNT vs. Guatemala, March 29

Christian Pulisic, 17, makes his U.S. debut in a World Cup qualifier in Columbus, Ohio, becoming cap-tied to the USA. He was otherwise eligible for Croatia.

USMNT vs. Guatemala, March 29

Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore celebrate during a thorough 4-0 World Cup qualifying win, putting the USA's campaign back on track after the setback in Guatemala.

USMNT vs. Guatemala, March 25

There was no way through for DeAndre Yedlin and the USA during a 2-0 loss in Guatemala in what was a stunning setback in the Americans' World Cup qualifying campaign.

USWNT vs. Germany, March 9

The USWNT celebrates the inaugural SheBelieves Cup title after beating European powers England, France and Germany in succession.

USWNT vs. Germany, March 9

The U.S. celebrates Alex Morgan's equalizer vs. Germany in the SheBelieves Cup in Boca Raton, Florida. Samantha Mewis's winner a few minutes later cemented the Americans' overall triumph in the competition.

USWNT vs. France, March 6

Alex Morgan scores the game-winner in a 1-0 victory over France in the second game of the SheBelieves Cup in Nashville, Tennessee.

USWNT vs. England, March 3

Crystal Dunn is mobbed after her game-winning goal kicks off the SheBelieves Cup in a 1-0 triumph in Tampa Bay, Florida.

USWNT vs. Canada, February 21

Lindsey Horan celebrates her goal that helps the USA to a 2-0 win over Canada and a first-place finish in CONCACAF Olympic qualifying.

USWNT vs. Trinidad and Tobago, February 19

Alex Morgan celebrates one of her three goals that helped the U.S. clinch a berth in the 2016 Olympics after a 5-0 triumph in Houston.

USWNT vs. Puerto Rico, February 15

Crystal Dunn scores one of her five goals, tying a single-game U.S. record in a 10-0 rout to close group play in Olympic qualifying.

USWNT vs. Mexico, February 13

The U.S. needed a penalty kick from Carli Lloyd to beat Mexico 1-0 in the second match of CONCACAF's Olympic qualifying tournament.

USWNT vs. Costa Rica, February 10

Alex Morgan scores the fastest goal in U.S. history, netting 12 seconds into the USWNT's Olympic qualifying campaign and sending the Americans on their way to a 5-0 win.

USMNT vs. Canada, February 5

Jozy Altidore heads in the winner to secure a 1-0 win over Canada at StubHub Center to cap the annual winter training camp.

USMNT vs. Iceland, January 31

Steve Birnbaum heads in a late winner in a 3-2 victory over Iceland in the opening match of the year.

USWNT vs. Ireland, January 23

17-year-old Mallory Pugh scores on her debut, helping cap a 5-0 win for the USA to open the year. Carli Lloyd led the way with a hat trick, and Alex Morgan scored as well in San Diego.

Given the typical turnover in national team rosters during the final half of a World Cup cycle, plenty of change should be expected between the end of the semifinal round of CONCACAF qualifying, the hexagonal that begins in November and the ensuing march to Russia that should, despite CONCACAF's trickier landscape, result in an eighth straight trip to the world's showcase event. (For reference: 10 players on the gameday roster for the hex-opening match in 2013 did not go to Brazil the following summer. Change is natural). But the players who should be part of that turnover have to comply and take matters into their own hands (and feet), which makes 2016-17 as important as a campaign can be for many of them.

John Brooks blossoms for the USA, embraces his dual-nationality

Take 17-year-old Christian Pulisic, who is the most U.S.-ready of the bunch, but now has a new fight for time on his hands.

With Borussia Dortmund luring German internationals Andre Schurrle and Mario Gotze and rising French and Turkish attackers Ousmane Dembele and Emre Mor to his club this summer, he'll have to earn his place under manager Thomas Tuchel all over again. He certainly helped his case Thursday with a late equalizer (and converted penalty) against Manchester City in their International Champions Cup friendly, but one preseason goal does not guarantee anything going forward.

All that said, Pulisic, even in his brief opportunities with the U.S., has proven he belongs and offers more tangible value to the U.S. than any prospect in recent memory. The worry sits more with those behind him in the pecking order of so-called rising stars based abroad.

STRAUS: Zelalem set to feature for Arsenal vs. MLS All-Stars

Gedion Zelalem and Julian Green are presently in the U.S., getting their chances in preseason with Arsenal and Bayern Munich, respectively (and giving U.S. fans a rare chance to actually see them play instead of blindly pontificating about their abilities). It's wonderful that both have been and continue to be with such storied clubs, and it's a testament to their potential and skill level. Does either have a realistic chance of first-team minutes this season at those clubs, though?

Zelalem spent last season on loan at Rangers, and another loan is his likeliest path to real time and, more importantly, a chance to secure the first of what could be many senior caps. He was supposedly senior-team ready 16 months ago, according to Klinsmann, but has yet to earn the chance to show it.

USA learns place on global stage during Copa America semifinal run

Green, after his controversial inclusion on the 2014 World Cup roster and goal vs. Belgium, has his annual fight against Bayern's cavalcade of stars. If "Bayern first team or bust" is really his mindset, as SI's Grant Wahl reported Wednesday, it's an admirable outlook and one Klinsmann is sure to appreciate, but who, exactly, is he unseating for the Champions League title contender? Another season in Germany's fourth tier playing for Bayern's reserves won't cut it, and a loan out could do wonders.

Further down the the youth spectrum, there's Emerson Hyndman and Jerome Kiesewetter, who have both received brief looks with the senior team and were part of the U-23s' failed Olympic qualifying effort. Hyndman's leap from Fulham to the Premier League with Bournemouth oozes potential (although he's battling a preseason ankle knock), while Kiesewetter, for all of his athletic prowess and attacking tools, was barely able to crack Stuttgart's first team. His signing with Fortuna Dusseldorf could put him on the Bobby Wood path to a second-tier launching pad.

The names beyond them have their own battles. Matt Miazga was a New York Red Bulls stalwart, but he must prove he belongs at Chelsea to defensive maestro and new manager Antonio Conte. Shane O'Neill continues his odd Eurotrip after departing MLS. And on down the line of U.S. prospects with eyes on senior roles.

For a lot of young stars, the battle of club prestige vs. playing time is a tough one. The bigger club looks great on the resume, but the lesser landing spot might prove to be the better destination for the short and long term. That's what the "lost generation," one that Klinsmann says he wants to turn to but can't just yet, is facing, and that's what makes this year, above all others, so important for the supposed next crop of national team stars poised to displace the aging veterans.

Transition can't happen solely for transition sake, but as many a national team coach has said, the international game is a young man's one. Just look at the roles played by Renato Sanches (18), Raphael Guerreiro (22) and Joao Mario (23) on Portugal's run to the Euro 2016 title. The U.S. has talent waiting in the wings, but in order for it to be a part of the road to Russia, it needs the chance to flourish on a regular basis.

If all goes well, it'll be a smooth transition to the next generation, but as recent years and international youth tournaments have proven, that is one iffy "if" until shown otherwise.

Published Jul 28, 2016

AVI CREDITOR

Avi Creditor is a senior editor and has covered soccer for more than a decade. He’s also a scrappy left back.