Tag: Red Bull Salzburg

Source: Monaco and Benfica leading race for USMNT prospect Josh Wynder

The 17-year-old appears set for a move sooner rather than later

Josh Wynder could be on the move soon, as the race for one of the top prospects in the United States heats up.

Benfica, Monaco and Red Bull Salzburg have made offers for the 17-year-old Louisville City FC central defender, a source close to the situation tells Pro Soccer Wire.

According to the source, Benfica and Monaco are leading the chase to capture the teenager on a permanent move. It is believed it will take a fee of roughly $1.5 million to land Wynder, which would be a record for a USL club.

Wynder started 21 games in the USL Championship in 2022, an impressive feat for a player who only turned 17 midway through the season. The U.S. Under-19 defender’s exploits last year earned him a nomination for U.S. Soccer Young Male Player of the Year.

He is positionally very solid and passes well between the lines. As he showed this week in preseason, he can also strike a ball from distance pretty well.

Wynder signed a new contract with Louisville City earlier this month and though the deal is through 2025, there were plenty of indications he would not be staying for nearly that long.

“For me to make whatever my next step is, I think it will shine a light on Louisville and make people see the USL Championship is a great league and this is a great club,” Wynder said in a release.

Were Salzburg to win out for the player, the source indicated that Wynder could be loaned out to sister club New York Red Bulls for the 2023 season. That would be an intriguing move for the MLS club, who certainly need center back depth.

It appears that a decision by Wynder, who turns 18 years old in May, could be coming as early as next week.

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Pulisic assists Havertz stunner as Chelsea reaches Champions League knockouts

The USMNT star was involved in both of his team’s goals in Austria

Kai Havertz scored a stunning winner for Chelsea at Red Bull Salzburg on Tuesday, pushing the Blues into the Champions League knockout round with a 2-1 win at Red Bull Arena.

The German’s strike was set up by Christian Pulisic, who was handed a start for only the third time this season and took advantage by playing a role in both of his side’s goals.

The U.S. star was involved in a stunning opener for Mateo Kovačić, as he helped win back possession inside Salzburg’s area. The ball broke to the Croatian, who quickly improvised a brilliant first-time finish with his left foot that gave the goalkeeper no chance.

Salzburg would equalize just after the break through Junior Adamu, but Chelsea would find the decisive goal in the 64th minute.

Pulisic maneuvered his way into space and drew in three defenders before finding Havertz, who unleashed a brilliant strike that flew in off the underside of the crossbar.

With the away win, Chelsea clinched a berth in the last 16. After picking up just one point in its first two Group E games, Chelsea has now won three straight to earn qualification to the knockouts with one game to spare.

Watch Havertz score winner at Salzburg

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