Editor's Note: This article ran in the lead-up to the USA's 2-1 victory over Germany on Wednesday with Bobby Wood scoring the gamewinner for the second straight match just days after netting his first international goal against the Netherlands (also a gamewinner).
COLOGNE, Germany – Bobby Wood got his goal – now he just needs to figure out his club situation.
The USMNT striker, who scored the winner in the US’ 4-3 victory at the Netherlands last week, will look to clarify his club situation following Wednesday’s friendly at Germany (2:45 pm ET, Fox Sports 1, UniMas, UDN). The 22-year-old attacker is under contract with German second-division club 1860 Munich, but spent the second half of last season on loan to fellow 2.Bundesliga outfit Erzgebirge Aue.
He’ll have a decision to make on July 1, when his loan to relegated Erzgebirge Aue officially expires. Wood's loan would have become permanent through the 2016-17 season had Aue remained in 2.Bundesliga.
1860 Munich manager Torsten Frohling would like him back at Allianz Arena, but some turmoil in the club's management is casting doubt on a possible return. Wood, who has also been linked to Kaiserslautern in the German press, says US head coach Jurgen Klinsmann and his staff are offering every assistance in the decision he has coming up.
"The whole national team is involved," Wood told MLSsoccer.com before Tuesday’s training session at RheinEnergieSTADION. "They always want the best for each player. After this game, I will sit down and see what's best for me.
“The sooner the better,” he continued. "Obviously, you want to get situated as fast as possible. The season is long and I want to make the best decision. But for right now, I’m just concentrating on this game.”
First, of course, he has to deal with the small matter of facing off against the defending World Cup champs. Wednesday’s match will mark the third straight year the US will play Die Mannschaft, and the ninth time the two sides have met since the 1998 World Cup.
Wood is relishing his first shot at Germany, not exactly a surprise considering the Hawaii native has called the country home since moving to the 1860 academy as a 14-year-old in 2007.
"It's nice," he said. "Everyone wants to play Germany right now. They won the World Cup and they're the team to beat. It's an exciting opportunity. I'm just going to try and take advantage of it."
That means trying to piggy-back on Friday's debut international goal against the Netherlands.
"I'm just happy that I got my first goal," said Wood. "It was an amazing feeling. It helps with my confidence. Now, I just have to continue with that."
Despite having watched Germany too many times to count over the years, he admits to holding no sneaky secret for cracking their code at the back.
"I've seen them play, but they're a great defense," chuckled Wood. "If somebody had found a way, they would have done it already. I'm just going to be aggressive and do the best I can."
