U.S. U20 Gaines thrills in Florida Cup win

U.S. U20 Gaines thrills in Florida Cup win
by Jonathan Stockitt
January 9, 2017

USA youth international Orrin McKinze Gaines II expressed his delight at a "phenomenal experience" after providing an assist to help VfL Wolfsburg beat the Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-0 in its opening match at the Florida Cup in St. Petersburg, Fla.

An estimated crowd of approximately 4,000 fans were at Al Lang Stadium for a double-header of matches on Sunday afternoon. First up they were treated to an entertaining encounter between Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen and Argentinian rivals Estudiantes de la Plata, with the former eventually winning 4-2 on a penalty shootout after the game was tied at 1-1.



Wolfsburg faced the Rowdies shortly afterwards, and a huge cheer went up when McKinze Gaines' name was announced in the starting line-up, especially from the members of the U.S. U17 contingent in the stands and the approximately 50 members of an official Wolfsburg fan club that had made the long trip over from Germany.



Gaines played the full 90 minutes for Wolfsburg, the side he joined in March last year after impressing on trial. Starting out on the right wing against a home side that rested star player and former England international Joe Cole, the 18-year-old's pace was a constant threat and paid dividends in the 41st minute.



The Texan found space out wide before darting into the penalty area and pulling the ball back for teammate Robert Hartmann to score his second of the game, having netted with a free kick in the sixth minute.



"Obviously after a win everyone's overjoyed but to do it in front of fans that I've played in front of before and to do it in familiar surroundings is tremendous," said the teenager, who was previously based in Florida as part of the U.S. national team's youth residency program. 



"I made many great memories at the IMG Academy," he continued. "It's great to be back."

Gaines is officially on the roster of Wolfsburg's U19 side, which is unbeaten after 14 games in the German championship so far this season. The attacker also trains regularly with the senior pros and was in great demand among the local fans after the final whistle.



Not that he appeared at all fazed by the clamor for his attention, nor by the 50-degree temperature in offering his match-worn jersey to a young fan.

"Being a pro soccer player is what I've wanted ever since I was a young kid," Gaines said. "Wolfsburg has all the assets to help me become the best player I can be." 



Wolfsburg is now atop the six-team standings of the Florida Cup Challenge 2017, closely followed by Leverkusen. The other two sides competing at the tournament are Brazilian clubs Atletico Mineiro and EC Bahia. Gaines can next be seen in action against the latter at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at 7 p.m. on Jan. 12 in Orlando.

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