USMNT Watch: Julian Green Records Hat-Trick, Brad Guzan Signs for Middlesbrough

After a few years out of the United States men’s national team spotlight, it may be time for Julian Green to finally play a key role at the club and international levels—or at least that’s what his successful preseason has given us hope for. 

Green, who is trying to work his way into the Bayern Munich first team, had another strong showing in a preseason game for Carlo Ancelotti’s side on Saturday. 

Another big USMNT player also made news during the week as he transferred back into the Premier League. 

We’ll have more on those two major stories and more below in our USMNT Watch. 

Julian Green Bags Hat-Trick in Bayern Friendly

Green made a splash on the international soccer scene on Saturday, as he recorded a first-half hat-trick in Bayern Munich’s 4-1 win over Inter Milan in the International Champions Cup. 

The 21-year-old, who broke onto the international stage as an 18-year-old at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, opened the scoring in the seventh minute and had two more goals to his name by the 35th minute. 

After the match, Ancelotti told reporters that Green is competing for a spot at center forward, per ESPN’s Doug McIntyre: 

Bayern Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti says Julian Green is competing for a center forward spot, is not as effective elsewhere. #usmnt

— Doug McIntyre (@DougMacESPN) July 30, 2016

Green still has a long way to go to earn consistent playing time in the Bundesliga, but he’s displayed plenty of development in his game during the preseason tour under the new boss at Bayern. 

The uptick in form might be attributed to Green being a more mature player. Fans and media put a ton of pressure on him to succeed at a European giant at a young age, and he may not …

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