Julian Green Shows His Promise in United States Victory vs. Netherlands

In his second match in the Toulon Tournament – the World Youth Festival in France – Julian Green helped the United States U23 rebound for their first victory in the competition, a 3-1 result against Netherlands.

While the Bayern Munich academy product did not score, he was instrumental in the two winning goals the United States had. His deflected free kick in the 23rd minute fell to Jack Morris, who knocked it down to Alonso Hernández to allow him to score. He later found Will Packwood off of a corner kick as the United States scored three goals before halftime.

U23 coach Andreas Herzog has given Green two one-hour shifts on the flank, playing him 62 minutes against France and 67 minutes against the Netherlands. Green has lined up on the left flank in both matches, and while outmatched in his first match, he had a much improved showing in the second. His loan spell with Hamburger SV did not go well to say the least, and a good performance with the national team could be what earns him minutes with a first team.

He was not the only getting action with his national team. Patrick Puchegger, a defender with Bayern II last season, dressed for the first time with Austria in the in the FIFA U20 World Cup. Puchegger only watched the match from the bench, Lukas Gugganig and Philipp Leinhart getting the starts at center back in Austria's 1-1 draw against Ghana. Puchegger made 11 appearances with the reserves, including five starts at the end of the Regionalliga Bayern season.

Green will be back in action on Sunday as the United States plays Costa Rica, and both Green and Puchegger will be in action on Tuesday as the United States takes on Qatar and Austria takes on Panama.