While the difficult times due to the COVID outbreak have delayed much of the movement and news this year for players heading to Europe or progressing in their careers, there has been some recent developments for U.S. players. 

KONRAD TIME  

Konrad de la Fuente, 19 years old, scored twice for Barcelona B in their promotion playoff win over Valladolid Promesas over the weekend. Konrad scored the opening goal and the game-winner for Barcelona in the 3-2 victory. His second tally was a thing of beauty as Barcelona’s third and final goal of the game.

🔥 WHAT A GOAL 🔥

💥 @konradjr_ 💥

🏠 Made in La Masia 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/3Z7oO5XFSg

— FC Barcelona - Masia (@FCBmasia) July 20, 2020

Barcelona B’s next game is Thursday, July 23 against CD Badajoz in the semifinal of the promotion to La Liga 2 playoffs. 

Konrad signed an extension with the club in June. His new contract has him signed with Barcelona through 2022 - and includes a 50 million euro release (that could reach up to 100 million if he makes a first-team debut), according to ESPN. 

Konrad has been playing for Barcelona since he was 12 years old. The La Masia product was interviewed last week by Barcelona’s communications department. He says his goal is to be the first American to ever play for Barcelona. In the interview, he also mentioned that Ben Lederman’s father was the one to told U.S. Soccer scouting department about Konrad. 

BLUES CLUES

Schalke 04 U17 kicked off their preseason training campaign on Monday. U.S. U17 Men’s National Team was one of three new additions announced to join the team for the 2020/2021 season. 

“We want to support the boys as best as possible so that as many as possible make the leap into the U19,” Schalke coach Onur Cinel told the club’s website. 

Rotundo is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Giovanni Reyna and Christian Pulisic (of course, both signed for Schalke rival Borussia Dortmund) in joining a Bundesliga club’s academy at 16 to speed track the arrival to the first team. 

NICO KIEL 

Nicolas Carrera announced on twitter on Monday that he is signing with Holstein Kiel, a club in 2. Bundesliga. Holstein Kiel finished 11th in the table last season. The former FC Dallas academy and U.S. U17 Men’s National Team center back is likely to start his career with the club’s U19 team. 

 

Thank you, God, for my Journey, coaches, teammates, staff; thank you for every person you have put in my path to strengthen my character. Thank you, #KSV, for providing a new opportunity to chase my dream! "You only get one life, so get out there and BE AMAZING”@FCDallas @Tuzos pic.twitter.com/T9nXQtt3yA

— Nico Carrera (@Nico_carrera02) July 20, 2020

Carrera turned 18 on May 6. He was scheduled to attend Louisville next season, but he has decided to take a contract from a European club instead.