Sunderland A.F.C.: Three hopes and one fear
By Sean Maslin
Hope #2: That Lynden Gooch can produce over an entire season.
The United States soccer hype train has made a stop in Sunderland. No, it is not because of Deandre Yedlin’s exploits last season with The Black Cats. No, it is not for Gedion Zelalem, Matt Miazga, or any other prodigy that has had a small blurb written about them. It is for Lynden Gooch.
Wait, who is Lynden Gooch? Even the most hardcore supporters were scratching their heads when Moyes selected Gooch for his starting eleven in Sunderland’s opener against Manchester City.
The United States under-20 international has been a welcome surprise for U.S. supporters who have few players to root for this Premier League season. Gooch, who has featured for the U.S. under-20 national team, has made five starts for Sunderland this season undoubtedly raising his profile.
But can he produce over an entire season? That is the $60,000 question. Gooch has undoubtedly proven his value to Sunderland thus far, showing his patience and timing delivering passes and tracking attacking midfielders.
It is unclear if he is more of a center midfielder or a defensive midfielder but really at this point it does not matter. Gooch is certainly someone who Sunderland can build around and hopefully be a major piece for the USMNT.
Next: Hope #3: That John O'Shea can lead a patchwork defense.