7 American soccer stars who will start their seasons in the Bundesliga this weekend
The new Bundesliga season starts in Germany on Friday as defending champion Bayern Munich hosts Schalke, and both teams have young American players in their rosters.
Current Chelsea star Christian Pulisic became a world-class player in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund, and there’s a few other young Americans hoping to follow the same path in 2020, including 17-year-old Gio Reyna, who is expected to have a breakout year with Pulisic’s old squad this season.
Here’s a rundown of all the American players who will be playing in Germany’s top league this season. You can watch every game listed on ESPN or ESPN+.
Schalke vs. Bayern Munich (Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Bayern Munich’s Chris Richards. Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images
Bayern Munich: Chris Richards
Position: Centerback Age: 20 From: Birmingham, Alabama USMNT experience: 10 caps for the U20 teamSchalke: Nick Taitague
Position: Midfielder Age: 21 From: Midlothian, Virginia USMNT experience: Caps for the U15, U16, U17, U18 and U20 teamsWerder Bremen vs. Hertha BSC (Saturday, 9:30 a.m. ET, ESPN+)
Werder Bremen: Josh Sargent
Position: Striker Age: 20 From: O’Fallon, Missouri USMNT experience: 12 USMNT capsEintracht Frankfurt vs. Arminia Bielefeld (Saturday, 9:30 a.m. ET, ESPN+)
Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images
Eintracht Frankfurt: Timothy Chandler
Position: Right back Age: 30 From: Frankfurt, Germany (Chandler’s father is American) USMNT experience: 29 USMNT capsBorussia Dortmund vs. Borussia Mondchengladbach (Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
Borussia Dortmund: Gio Reyna
Position: Attacking midfielder Age: 17 From: Bedford, New York USMNT experience: Caps for the U15, U16 and U17 teams. Reyna is the son of USMNT legend Claudio Reyna.RB Leipzig vs. FSV Mainz 05 (Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET, ESPN+)
Miguel A. Lopes / various sources / AFP