The American defender is continuing to grow in the Bundesliga as clubs around Europe take notice.
Joe Scally finds himself straddling that line between youngster and veteran. He's 21, but with experience. He makes mistakes, but is eager to lead. He streams Fortnite with his friends, but those friends just so happen to be some of the biggest stars in American soccer today.
Scally, for sure, isn't a kid anymore. He's lived in Germany for four years now, having learned and grown from experiences on and off the field. From the moment he arrived at Borussia Monchengladbach, he was thrown into the deep end. He remains there to this day, although the treading of water has gotten easier with time.
The world has taken notice, as the defender is one of several USMNT stars earning looks during this transfer window. At 21 and with nearly 100 games of Bundesliga experience under his belt, Scally's already built himself one heck of a resume and he's determined to add to it going forward.
And that includes the USMNT. With the Nations League semifinals looming, he looks poised for a big role. Now, a key suspension could thrust him into the starting XI, giving him another chance to prove all he's learned in the Bundesliga.
Getty ImagesTransfer rumors surrounding the defender
Like all players, Scally finds himself scrolling through social media, flooded by a seemingly endless supply of transfer rumors. This window, though, Scally's situation is a bit different as his name is among those often being tossed into those transfer-related posts.
According to ESPN, clubs in the Premier League and Serie A have been chasing Scally, with Newcastle, Fulham and Bournemouth joining AC Milan among those interested. It would be a massive move for the 21-year-old defender, who has established himself as a go-to starter in the Bundesliga for some time.
Scally, of course, is familiar with the rumors and doesn't deny seeing them, as many players would. He even admitted that, in some ways, they're helping to inspire him as they give him confidence that he is impressing the right people all over Europe.
"All players see these rumors," he said. "I think it even gives you confidence to see that other teams want you. Obviously, you see it. There's no hiding from social media nowadays, so everyone sees everything. Definitely, for me, at least it gives me confidence just to play better in the next game and the next game, but in the end, when you're playing the game, you're not focused on whether this team is watching or that team is watching; it's just your focus on the match plan and how to execute as best as you can."
AdvertisementNYCFC A future at home?
Transfers have been a big topic in USMNT circles lately, with the team experiencing two very different windows in recent months.
In the summer, several of the USMNT's top stars made massive moves in Europe, with Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Tim Weah, Matt Turner and Tyler Adams all sealing transfers. This window, though, has been about staying close to home as Miles Robinson, Brandon Vazquez and Cade Cowell have opted for MLS or Liga MX.
Those differing types of moves have led to the reemergence of a discussion that began a decade ago. What should players value more: the comfort and finances available at home or the challenge and prestige of Europe?
Scally, of course, is testing himself in Europe, having left NYCFC to join Gladbach as a teenager. He admits that he does want to return to his hometown club down the line and that he understands the draw of MLS. For now, though, Europe is on his mind.
"It hasn't come up as a topic between any of the players," he says. "If you're playing in the top five leagues in Europe, I'm sure you're going to be making much more in the MLS. I can definitely tell you that so I don't think it's a topic, honestly. I think if someone wants to go back to MLS, I think it's just going to be because they miss America. I think this is kind of going to be the top priority. In the end, when I want to maybe finish my career. I want to finish it at my old club in New York. I don't think it's going to be a topic about money, but if you're playing in the top five leagues, money is not going to be an issue."
GettyMaking mistakes
It's crazy to think about, but, at just 21, Scally is already closing in on 100 senior appearances for Borussia Monchengladbach.
He signed with the club in 2019 at just 17 years old, waiting to go over a year later. After getting some reps with the club's second team during the 2020-21 season, he was tossed right into the first team to start the following campaign and hasn't looked back. After making at least 30 appearances in each of his first two seasons, he's already at 22 this season in all competitions.
"I'm one of the longer-serving players now on the team," he says. "After we got rid of a lot of players over the summer, I definitely feel like there is some weight on my back where I should understand the game more than someone who is also my age but hasn't played as many games. I definitely feel that way."
Scally, though, isn't immune from mistakes. He's just 21, after all, and there are times when things go wrong. As a defender, those mistakes are more apparent than anywhere else on the field, too. They've been few and far between, to his credit, but Gladbach manager Gerardo Seaoane says it's important that Scally is given the freedom to make them.
"We had discussions with Joe Scally after the Augsburg game," Seaoane said. "In sport, it's important to keep looking forward after weaker performances, so that you can improve. As a young player, Joe has the right to sometimes make mistakes."
Scally added: "When you're young, you can make mistakes. It's not like I can try and dribble out of the back with five guys on me, of course. It's not like that where I can do things like that, but in the end, there are tools you can use that you learned from experiencing things. Most of the time, you learn things when you do something wrong. When you lose a game, you learn from the lost game rather than a won game.
"So of course, it's very nice to hear that the coach has so much trust in me and understands that young players make mistakes."
Getty ImagesNormal 21-year-old things with Gio Reyna
Since their times together at the youth level, Scally has been close friends with fellow USMNT star Gio Reyna. And, like Scally, Reyna has been in the headlines recently regarding transfer rumors.
Not getting the playing time he needs at Dortmund, Reyna has been linked with clubs in England, Spain and France in recent weeks. It appears, however, that the American may now be staying at Dortmund after Edin Terzic said that he expects Reyna to be available to the team going forward.
Scally says that, when the two do talk, they don't sit and reflect on career paths or anything like that. Instead, they focus on everyday life, as most people their age would.
"Most of our conversations are not about soccer at all," Scally said. "What he does and what everyone does with their career, they kind of just keep to themselves. Of course, we talk but, when we hang out, we just do normal 21-year-old stuff. We play Xbox all the time. Of course, it's been a difficult time for him. He deserves to play and deserves all the minutes he can get but we aren't really talking about that stuff or whatever you want to call it; it's more just like normal, everyday life stuff."