Matthew Hoppe: USMNT prospect's emergence starts at Schalke

Unlike a number of his young American peers featuring for clubs in Europe's top leagues, Matthew Hoppe's emergence has come from relative obscurity. The 19-year-old California native has broken out at Schalke, where he scored five goals in a three-game span and was named the Bundesliga's Rookie of the Month for January. Will a USMNT call come next?

Unlike a number of his young American peers featuring for clubs in Europe's top leagues, Matthew Hoppe's emergence has come from relative obscurity. The 19-year-old California native has broken out at Schalke, where he scored five goals in a three-game span and was named the Bundesliga's Rookie of the Month for January. Hoppe became the first American to score a hat trick in the Bundesliga with his Jan. 9 breakout vs. Hoffenheim, doing something the likes of Landon Donovan, Christian Pulisic, Clint Mathis and other U.S. stars never could. With a big question looming, will a USMNT call come next?

Action Press/Shutterstock

Read more of SI's Daily Cover stories here.