Maloney was nominated for the US

Called up to the USA Senior National Team for the first time: Leonard Maloney.
Imago/Longer

More recently, the question of who is 1. FC Heidenheim’s first senior national player came to Eren Dinksi. But now the Bremen native with roots in Turkey has stiff competition. Because Leonard Maloney was nominated for the USA A team for the first time. That doesn’t stop Heidenheim shooting star highlights.

The Berlin native earned promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time with Heidenheim, celebrating his first point win at the top of his former club Borussia Dortmund (2:2). The Bundesliga won 1:0 and was named “Player of the Game” by Kicker.

Now comes the next positive surprise for the German-American: Maloney is on the U.S. national team for the first time, debuting for his father’s country ahead of the upcoming Test match against Germany.

Deployment for America is “a matter of the heart”

“My dad is American, I’m bilingual, I have both nationalities. I’ve played for both clubs, so I don’t mind if someone asks again. To be honest, my heart beats more for America, I can’t. Explain it, it’s just a matter of the heart,” Maloney said already in the summer. “Playing for this country fills you with pride,” revealed the kicker, whose dream is now coming true.

The midfielder has already played four junior internationals. Two for the German U-18s, one for the DFB’s U19s, but in his last game to date, the defensive midfielder was on the pitch for the USA U20s and scored five goals in a 3-1 win over Jamaica in September. Minutes before the 2018 final whistle, then Munich and Hoffenheim player Chris Richards, who now plays for Crystal Palace.

Debut against Germany?

But now Maloney has made his debut for the USA against Germany, which hosts DFB on October 14 in Hartford/Connecticut (9 p.m., live! on Kicker), a first for new national coach Julian Nagelsmann.

As the Bundesliga’s best player to date and a regular at Heidenheim, who has been pleasantly surprised by the newcomers so far, Maloney shouldn’t have a bad chance of playing. Enjoying a second-chance education, the 23-year-old could be a timely addition to the U.S. team that will host the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico.