Kovač hints at increased role for American teenager Albert at Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovač said USMNT forward Mathis Albert will likely receive more first-team minutes soon. Albert, 17, became the youngest American to play in the Bundesliga last season and has since scored on his senior USA debut. Kovač praised the teenager's progress in training and suggested he could feature more regularly for the league leaders.
Mathis Albert, a 17-year-old forward, arrived at Dortmund from LA Galaxy in 2024. Born in South Carolina, he was eligible for France via his father and Germany via his mother. In April, he debuted in the Bundesliga at 16 years, 340 days, taking over from Gio Reyna as the youngest American in the competition.
This season he has appeared once for Dortmund's senior side, in a DFB Cup opening-round victory over HEBC Hamburg. After debuting for the USMNT, he scored against Chile on 29 September at 17 years, 131 days, briefly becoming the USA's youngest scorer before Cavan Sullivan eclipsed that mark four days later.
Albert's rise may draw more American attention to the Bundesliga and Dortmund, especially among young soccer fans and USMNT supporters. Increased minutes could inspire teenage athletes and show pathways from MLS academies to Europe. For Dortmund, featuring a US prospect could expand commercial and media interest in the United States. The effects remain uncertain and depend on his development, playing time, and performance.