USMNT: Andrija Novakovich Serie B move the necessary catalyst

Playing time did not come for USMNT hopeful Andrija Novakovich at Reading. This prompted a last-minute move to Frosinone. Will the striker be revitalized in Serie B?

After a lengthy loan spell in the Dutch Eredivise, it appeared U.S. Men’s National Team hopeful Andrija Novakovich was set to be a factor in Reading’s starting XI. However, that has not happened for the 22-year-old striker.

Novakovich found it hard to break into the first team at the EFL Championships side and was not given the opportunity to display his ability in many competitive matches for Reading.

This has led to a last-minute move on the final day of the transfer window to Frosinone in Serie B. The reported four-year deal will give the young striker a chance to revitalize his career after this setback at Reading.

Frosinone are bouncing back themselves after being relegated from Serie A last season. They will be fighting for promotion this year in Serie B and Novakovich will be called upon to help aid in their efforts to get back to the top division in Italy.

With only two matches being played in Frosinone’s season thus far, Novakovich has plenty of time to adjust to life in Italy and get himself into the first team. Being left off the USMNT roster for the upcoming friendlies in September may actually be a good thing for him as he has more time to adjust to playing with his new club during the international break.

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The lack of playing time for Novakovich recently has really hurt his chances of making future USMNT rosters. There is an increasingly large amount of forwards Gregg Berhalter and the USMNT coaching staff have to choose from. Young players like Josh Sargent and Sebastian Soto are quickly becoming targets for the USMNT senior and U-23 teams and could be mainstays within the next two years. And that is without mentioning the ostensibly everpresent pair of experienced MLS goalscorers, Gyasi Zardes and Jozy Altidore.

If Novakovich wants to be able to get another opportunity to play for the USMNT this year, he will need to show up big time for Frosinone. A contribution to a place in Serie A next season would definitely attract lots of attention and a successful goal-scoring record could reignite his place within the top five strikers in the USMNT player pool.

Keep an eye on Novakovich’s progress in Serie B. If he can rediscover his goal-scoring form after struggling at Reading, the possibility of him getting another USMNT call-up is high.