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USMNT: Five youngsters who could turn Gold Cup heartache into World Cup success

By Chris Smith

CHICAGO, IL - JULY 07: USA head coach Gregg Berhalter looks on during the CONCACAF Gold Cup final match between the United States and Mexico on July 07, 2019, at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. (Photo By Daniel Bartel/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JULY 07: USA head coach Gregg Berhalter looks on during the CONCACAF Gold Cup final match between the United States and Mexico on July 07, 2019, at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. (Photo By Daniel Bartel/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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USA U20, Tim Weah
TYCHY, POLAND – MAY 30: Tim Weah of the United States celebrates with team mate Brandon Servania after scoring their team’s first goal during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup group D match between USA and Qatar at Tychy Stadium on May 30, 2019 in Tychy, Poland. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) /

1. Timothy Weah

Our final player in this list may have just made the best career move possible. Despite his talent, Timothy Weah was never going to make it in the cut-throat world of Paris Saint-Germain. And now entering the crucial stage of his career where minutes are everything, switching to Ligue 1 runners-up Lille feels like a smart decision.

Les Dogues were very impressive last season, conceding the fewest goals in Ligue 1 (33) and coming third only to the champions (105) and Lyon (70) in terms of goals scored (68). That said, they’re a French team and they’re not PSG. Their star talent is now being linked with every European destination you could think of and the likes of Nicolas Pepe and Rafael Leao are sure to move on.

Weah joined Celtic on loan halfway through last season and scored an impressive four goals in just four domestic starts across league and cup competitions. He added an extra sprinkle of verve to the Scottish champions’ attack at a time when they were being pushed really hard by Rangers. But once Rodgers moved to Leicester City, the opportunities dried up.

Lille have shelled out $11.4 million dollars on Weah, making him the fourth-most expensive American of all time. Teams like Lille don’t spend that sort of cash without the intention of getting the most out of it. Weah is lightning fast, dynamic and unpredictable. He already has 10 goals in 38 games at club level and is capable of playing out wide — giving the USA a more balanced threat with Christian Pulisic on the other side — or through the middle, should Berhalter seek to tweak his style.

Next. USMNT Vs Mexico: 3 things we learned. dark

One good season in the French top flight could elevate this 19-year-old to new levels and his young age means that frightening pace isn’t going anywhere in the foreseeable future. For the USMNT, Timothy Weah is the future.

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