It’s an exciting time for young Kiwi male footballers with several on the move to new adventures or taking their first steps in professional football.

The most notable of all could be Wellington Phoenix midfielder Sarpreet Singh, who is reportedly on the verge of signing for Bayern Munich II, the reserve team of the famous German giants. While Singh is yet to put pen to paper, Phoenix general manager David Dome has confirmed he is training with the club and that a deal could be on the cards. If the transfer does go through, it would be a massive moment not only for Singh but New Zealand football with no Kiwi ever featuring for one of the biggest clubs in the world.

Singh was among New Zealand’s best performers at the recent FIFA U-20 World Cup and another player who caught the eye in Poland, Callum McCowatt, has also hit the headlines in recent days after signing his first professional contract with the Phoenix. One of the brightest young prospects in the country, McCowatt won the golden boot as Eastern Suburbs claimed a maiden ISPS Handa Premiership title last season and is looking forward to realising his lifelong dream of playing professionally.

Also on the move is young All White Dane Ingham, who has left the Brisbane Roar to sign a two-year deal with fellow A-League outfit Perth Glory. The fullback made 19 appearances during three seasons with the Roar and is delighted to be joining a side who claimed the minor premiership last season. “After such a good year, it’s clear the club is moving in an upwards direction, that made my decision really easy,” he said. “Hopefully, I can start as many games as possible and add some depth to the squad.”

New Zealand U-20 captain Joe Bell was also in line for a change of scene but has reportedly turned down the offer of a professional contract with Norwegian top-flight club Viking FK. He was invited to trial with the club after impressing at the U-20 World Cup and did enough to be offered a deal but has decided to return to the University of Virginia to continue his studies. The possibility of joining Viking is likely to be revisited by Bell and the club at the end of the year.

On the look-out for a new club meanwhile is former Wellington Phoenix youngster Logan Rogerson, who has left German third-tier side Carl Zeiss Jena by mutual consent. Rogerson, capped twice by the All Whites, featured mostly for Jena’s reserve team during his year-long stay with the club and will return home for the time being but has stated that he wishes to continue playing in Germany.

Clash of Kiwis in States

A pair of clubs both featuring Kiwis on their rosters came up against each other in America, Michael Boxall’s Minnesota United edging out Kyle Adams’ Houston Dynamo 3-2.

Adams got the chance to be involved after his form in captaining Rio Grande Valley earned him a short-term agreement with parent club Houston but was an unused substitute in the narrow defeat. Boxall meanwhile played the full match as Minnesota knocked out the defending champions to earn a place in the quarter-finals of the US Open Cup, a knockout competition that features clubs from the two professional leagues in the United States – Major League Soccer (MLS) and the United Soccer League (USL).

Elsewhere in the States, the most notable Kiwi contribution was made by Elliot Collier, whose Memphis 901 took on Mexico’s Pachuca in a friendly. The class of the Mexicans shone through with a 6-1 win but it was all level going into the break after Collier had provided an equaliser to make it 1-1. Pachuca pulled away in the second half thanks largely to a double from Leonardo Ulloa, once a Premier League champion with Leicester City.

The match took place in front of a boisterous crowd of over 8,000 and Collier relished the experience. “I’ve said before that we have the best fans in the league, it was just an amazing atmosphere to play in,” he said.
 

All Whites defender Tommy Smith also helped his side get on the scoresheet as the Colorado Rapids gave up a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 away at the Vancouver Whitecaps. Smith made a nuisance of himself at the near post from a corner, which then made its way through to Diego Rubio to open the scoring.

Deklan Wynne did not take part as he is still working his way back to fitness from a foot injury while Bill Tuiloma is also currently out of action for the Portland Timbers while he recovers from a hamstring problem.

One Kiwi firing on all cylinders though is James Musa, who performed strongly in another 90-minute shift as the Phoenix Rising swept aside OKC Energy 4-1 for their seventh consecutive win. They are now top of the USL Western Conference standings and Musa will meet a fellow countryman next up as the Phoenix are set to face the second-placed Portland Timbers, coached by former All White Cameron Knowles.

Erceg in line for top honour

Abby Erceg may get the chance to bounce back from the disappointment of the Football Ferns’ World Cup exit on a personal level after being nominated for a prestigious individual honour. The defender is among four New Zealanders in the running for an ESPY – short for Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Award.

The awards recognise individual and team athletic achievement during the calendar year with Erceg making a short-list of four for Best American National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Player. The other nominees are Lindsey Horan, Adrianna Franch and Australia’s Sam Kerr with the winner to be unveiled on 11 July in Los Angeles.

Erceg captained the North Carolina Courage to the NWSL title last season and was also named the league’s best defender. She is set to return from her World Cup exploits this Saturday against Washington Spirit while fellow Fern Katie Bowen could also be in action when her Utah Royals play host to Reign FC on Friday.

Thomas returning to fitness

After a frustrating spell on the sidelines since completing a dream move to PSV Eindhoven, Ryan Thomas is finally approaching a return to fitness as the new Dutch top-flight season draws near. The All Whites midfielder suffered a serious knee injury shortly after signing for Eindhoven and missed the entirety of what would have been his debut campaign with the club.

But his recovery has gone well and he is currently involved in pre-season training, albeit joining fellow returnee Hirving Lozano in working separately from the rest of the group. It is now approaching a year since Thomas picked up the injury and he has another month in order to be considered for a UEFA Champions League qualifying encounter against Switzerland’s FC Basel. He has more time to be ready for the Dutch Eredivisie, which kicks off in early August.

Rojas shines in pre-season

Marco Rojas has not taken long to get into his stride as the Danish Superliga approaches, standing out for SønderjyskE in pre-season action.

The All Whites playmaker found the net in a comprehensive 9-1 friendly win over Nordals Boldklub and then earned a penalty for his side’s goal in a 2-1 loss to Malmo of Sweden. Rojas used his trademark skill to round the goalkeeper and was then brought down, allowing team mate Johan Absalonsen to convert from the spot.

He will hope to continue his good form so he can hit the ground running when the proper season kicks off in mid-July.

Lewis facing defining campaign

With a year to run on his contract with Scunthorpe United, Clayton Lewis is gearing up for a season that could define his career in England. Since signing for the Iron two years ago, Lewis has been on the fringes of the first-team picture but finally earned a regular place in the starting line-up at the back end of last season under caretaker manager Andy Dawson.

The young Kiwi was not able to prevent Scunthorpe being relegated to League Two but will be aiming to build on his strong ending to the campaign and force his way into the plans of manager Paul Hurst. Lewis has six weeks of pre-season ahead of him to impress the new boss and that quest continues with a camp in Spain next week.

Article added: Wednesday 26 June 2019