Lennard Maloney: “I would love to be selected for the USMNT”

Lennard Maloney is a vital player for the Borussia Dortmund U-23s, and even made his debut for the senior team earlier this season. The defender is very happy at the club and hopes to represent the USMNT one day.  

Lennard Maloney is a 1.87m defender who currently plays for Borussia Dortmund’s U23 team, known as ‘Die Amas’, the team are currently 8th in the 3. Liga.

Maloney, who Enrico Maassen described in a recent interview as ‘an exemplary professional,’ spent 6 years in the academy of Union Berlin before joining Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2020. He has played 12 matches and scored 1 goal for BVB II this season, and also made his first team debut in October in the 3-1 away win at Arminia Bielefeld.

The 22-year-old holds dual-German/US citizenship and has been selected at U-19 and U-20 levels for Germany and also has 1 cap for USA at U20 level. Here, the defender speaks about his career so far, and his ambitions for the future.

(Key: BM Ben McFadyean LM Lennard Maloney)

BM: Great to speak with you Lennard, how was the SC Verl match? Are you happy with your individual performance and that of the team?

LM: An exciting game, we put in a solid performance, for my part I feel I got some good tackles and sprints in, we came away with no new injuries and we earned a nice win but had to work for it.

BM: Enno Maassen won the Regionaliga-West (Western division of German fourth tier) twice in succession first with SV Rödinghausen, then BVB II last season, how far do you think this team can go this season? Will you hold the class?

LM: The conditions in the third tier are new for most of the team although some of the team like ‘Papa’ (Antonios Papadopoulous) have played at this level. Especially with players like Tigges and Moukoko we have players who have played in the Bundesliga. There is undoubtedly a challenge in the 3. Liga but we have a great unit and can put in a good finish, just got to keep putting in the performances.