USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino lauded Mathis Albert for his promising international debut off the bench in their commanding 4-1 victory over Peru on Saturday.
The 17-year-old Borussia Dortmund starlet won a penalty for his side within minutes after entering the contest as his explosive burst into the area from the left unsettled the Peruvians, with Jesus Pretell bringing him down in a desperate attempt to impede his surge towards the penalty area.
Although replays showed the contact happened right on the edge of the box, the referee immediately pointed to the spot and Malik Tillman displatched the penalty to make it 2-1 and restore USA's advantage.
Pochettino later hailed Albert for his impact which helped them turn the screw after having been struggling to find an opening since Peruvian veteran Gianluca Lapadula canceled out Justin Ellis' fourth-minute opener for the Stars and Stripes.
Speaking to the press after the match, the Argentine manager said:
"First action, he steps onto the field and bam, control and off he goes. Does he need to improve? Yes. Does he need experience? Yes. Does he need everything? Yes. But he goes, 'I want out, I want to play, I want to show it. This is what we need, and that's why I'm happy."
As part of his ambition to recruit the next generation of talents with the 2030 FIFA World Cup in mind, Pochettino had summoned a young squad for the current international window which included 13 uncapped players, one of whom was Albert.
The 17-year-old had mustered just one appearance with Dortmund in the 2026-27 season, playing full 90 minutes of his DFB-Pokal bow against fifth-tier HEBC at the start of this month. But that didn't stop him from breaking into USA's national side and he quickly demonstrated the qualities for which Dortmund rate him so highly.
Kovac needs to play him more often
Dortmund see the teenager as important part of their long-term plans but Niko Kovac is yet to play him in the Bundesliga this season. Following his eye-catching international debut though, he's offered the BVB coach plenty of food for thought.
Upon receiving the ball on the left, Albert produced a burst of acceleration that was reminiscent of the teenage Kylian Mbappe of AS Monaco. And he didn't stop at that. The American teen attempted a shot, got a cross away and completed nine of his 10 passes, showing that he's ready to take the international stage by storm.
For Albert to refine his talents (and realize his full potential), it's imperative that he plays regularly with his club too. Please Kovac, let the boy off the leash!
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