The most newsworthy debut of the year in US men’s soccer lasted just eight minutes on a midsummer Wednesday evening in Chester, Pennsylvania. The debutant’s actions consisted largely of pressing the opposition, one loose touch, and an easily saved shot from distance as the game’s last action. He also completed some tidy passes, made intelligent runs, and withstood a physical challenge from an MLS veteran that knocked him to the turf.
As debuts go, it’s a blip on the radar. As debuts for 14-year-olds go, though, it was extraordinary.