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After just three games in Europe, Juan Agudelo notched his first league goal on foreign soil as the Stoke City attacker, on loan to Dutch side FC Utrecht, bagged a beauty to give everyone a reminder that he hasn’t left MLS to mess around.
Agudelo is still just 21-year-old, but following his January move to Stoke City which saw him immediately loaned out to Utrecht in the Dutch Eredivisie due to work permit issues, the U.S. international forward is certainly taking to life in Europe.
During his current loan spell to Utrecht, Agudelo has reminded us of the 17-year-old kid that burst onto the scene in 2010 when he scored in two of his first three senior international for the USMNT, including this beauty vs. Argentina at MetLife Stadium.
On Thursday night against FC Zwolle he picked the ball up on the edge of the box, performed a fluid half turn and then rifled the ball into the top corner with his right foot to put Utrecht 1-0 up. The Dutch side ended up losing 2-1 (minor details) but Agudelo put in a solid performance that shows his game is developing and he is more than capable of making a concerted push to get on the plane to Brazil.
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It seemed as though the career of the promising young striker, who came through the MLS academy system with the New York Red Bulls and then bounced around to Chivas USA and the New England Revolution, was starting to falter. But this loan move and regular action overseas could be exactly what he needs to get back into the U.S. fold.
This summer may be too quick for Agudelo to worm his way back into Klinsmann’s plans, but after the U.S. head coach spoke on Tuesday about the likes of Tim Ream, Oguchi Onyewu, Danny Williams and Timmy Chandler getting a second chance and that the majority of his squad for the friendly vs. Ukraine in March will be from his European contingent.
Surely Agudelo has one more chance to shine in front of the U.S. coaches?
And let’s face it, with Jozy Altidore struggling for goals at Sunderland, and only Aron Johannsson and Chris Wondolowski as out-and-out strikers to back up Jozy (let’s assume Eddie Johnson will operate out wide) surely Agudelo has an outside chance of going to Brazil?
I know, I know, for all you skeptics out there I realize this was only one goal in the Dutch top-flight, which many believe to be one of European soccer’s backwaters when it really isn’t, but coming from someone who has seen Agudelo up close and personal tear up top European opposition back at the 2011 Emirates Cup, this kid has got genuine talent.
After his New York team scored a late equalizer against Arsenal to win the Emirates Cup, a prestigious preseason tournament that included Boca Junior, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, I spoke to Agudelo in the tunnel at the Emirates Stadium about playing in Europe” “This is where it’s at man, this is where I want to be,” he replied.
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Now he’s finally in Europe, I think this kid has come along way since his raw athleticism often stole the show a few years back.
Last fall the reaction from New England Revolution fans was telling when Agudelo decided to head to Europe, they did not want to see him leave MLS. But even if he doesn’t make the plane to Brazil, Agudelo’s European experience at Utrecht will do him the world of good. Plus if he ever gets a work permit and is allowed to play for his parent club Stoke City in the PL, I’d expect him to shine there too.
But right now, these next few months are huge for Agudelo. Given the chance, this kid can play. He has pace to burn, an eye for goal and he has no fear when he brings his A-game.
I have no doubts Klinsmann will be keeping a close eye on Agudelo between now and May.