When the news broke last week that talented winger Julian Green decided to represent the US internationally, there was considerable hope for the future of the US national team.
But the future could come as soon as the World Cup this summer in Brazil.
In an interview published on US Soccer's website on Wednesday following the roster announcement for the April 2 friendly against Mexico in Glendale, Ariz., USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann discussed Green's inclusion in the roster and what the expectations were surrounding the Bayern Munich prospect.
“We tell him the same as we did when he came into camp prior to the Ukraine game, to make himself feel comfortable, to get connected with his teammates, to get to know them," Klinsmann said. "I know we have awesome leaders in our group that will put a hand around Julian and make him feel comfortable, make him feel welcome.
"There’s no reason [for Green] to be nervous at all. It’s just a one-step-at-a-time process that he’s going through."
Green was the only European-based player called into the US roster ahead of the friendly, and Klinsmann praised the youngster's club in allowing him to join the national team for the friendly: "Bayern Munich did us a big favor to release him for possibly his first cap for the United States with the senior team."
Still, the biggest news was that Klinsmann appears to have left the door open on the 18-year-old's chances of making the US roster for this summer's World Cup.
“Julian is very ambitious," the US boss said. "He knows about his qualities. He knows about the club where he trains every day with Arjen Robben, with Franck Ribéry, with big players who are on the big stage for a long period of time.
"I think he has the confidence to come in and say, ‘If the coach gives me the chance to play there, I want to show him that I want to go to Brazil.’”
