Joe Scally becomes latest USA star to bemoan his World Cup absence… after Borussia Monchengladbach star failed to get off the bench despite ‘playing almost every minute in the Bundesliga’
Borussia Monchengladbach’s breakthrough American star Joe Scally has hit out at Gregg Berhalter and bemoaned his lack of playing time at the World Cup in Qatar.
Scally headed into the tournament in fine domestic form, having earned his place as a starter in the Bundesliga, but he failed to make an appearance for the national team as they bombed out of the tournament in the round of 16 to Holland.
The 19-year-old right back has now broken his silence, telling Kicker: ‘When you’ve played almost every minute in the Bundesliga, of course you think you’re also going to get a chance for the national team.
Joe Scally warms up before the USA’s game against Holland – but he didn’t get on the pitch
Scally has been impressive for Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany’s Bundesliga this year
‘But I learned a lot in Qatar and it gave me wonderful experience and motivation.’
Scally has three senior caps for the USMNT, having made his debut in a 3-0 friendly win over Morocco in June 2022, but he was third-choice right back for Berhalter at the World Cup.
Sergino Dest was, unsurprisingly, given the nod to start in the position, with the AC Milan star featuring in each of the team’s four games.
Instead, Shaq Moore (right) was given two substitute appearances at the tournament in Qatar
Gregg Berhalter’s contract ended when the clock struck midnight on December 31, but it has not yet been revealed whether he will stay on as coach of the team
Shaquell Moore was his back-up, coming off the bench against England and Iran, and some fans bemoaned Berhalter’s apparent bid to promote MLS stars over European talent.
Taking to Twitter, one wrote: ‘ The American team made too many bad decisions like not playing Scally. Tried to showcase MLS based players rather than the best US players overall.’
Scally has been preferred to Austrian Stefan Lainer at Monchengladbach this season, and top commentator Derek Rae reported that the club are considering selling on Lainer, such is their positive view of Scally’s future at the club.
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