Joe Scally will finally get an opportunity to represent the U.S. (© Amanda Rossmann / USA TODAY NETWORK)

By Michael Lewis
FrontRowSoccer.com Editor

Joe Scally will finally get capped.

U.S. men’s national team head coach Gregg Berhalter said that the 19-year-old Lake Grove, N.Y. native will play during the June window of games.

“Joey has looked good in training,” Berhalter said during a Tuesday afternoon Zoom call. “I’m excited for him to get an opportunity.”

An outside defender, Scally won’t be in the Starting XI for Wednesday night’s friendly against Morocco in Cincinnati.

“But I’m sure he’ll get some game time on this trip,” Berhalter said. “He’s looked good in camp and it’s been fun watching just any player go through the ups and downs of the season. He was no exception.”

Scally, who plays for Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga, was called up for the USMNT’s November window during World Cup qualifying but did not see any action.

A former New York City FC player, Scally made 30 appearances for Borussia, making 20 starts and scoring a goal.

When Scally was called up for camp on May 20, Berhalter said this about him:

“He was a guy that we had in camp and unfortunately didn’t get to play, didn’t get his opportunity in qualifying. He’s an interesting player. I mean, to be that young and to be playing in the Bundesliga and scoring goals in the Bundesliga [to be] part of a team that beats Bayern Munich, 5-0, he’s done a good enough job to get an opportunity. And that’s what this is.

“He will get game time. In these four games. I’m not sure exactly how much but he will get an opportunity.”

The USMNT will play four games in June. The Americans kick off the international window on June 1 against African powerhouse Morocco at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati before USA hosts Uruguay on June 5 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City.

The schedule continues with the start of the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League as the U.S. will play group stage matches against Grenada on June 10 at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas and at El Salvador on June 14.

FrontRowSoccer.com editor Michael Lewis has written a new book, ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. You can learn more about it or purchase it here:

www.Rochesterlancersbook.com

 

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.