A lot of expectations are surrounding the United States U-23 squad for the Olympic qualifiers, and eventually the Olympics. One of those reasons is 20-year-old Joshua Gatt, who has dazzled US fans with his highlight real goals playing in Norway for Molde FK. The Michigan born winger/outside back is currently in California with his U-23 teammates for the January training camp.
“I have had a great time so far, it is great to be able to get out and play again because of my injury and the guys are great,” Gatt said about the U-23 camp. “We have a very talented team here and I think we are looking very good for the upcoming qualifiers.”
The U-23 squad is very talented and running through a list of names there are a few players like Mix Diskerud and Freddy Adu, who are in the camp and have already been capped by the senior team. The U-23 team could potentially be joined by fellow USMNT players Timothy Chandler, Brek Shea, Jozy Altidore, and Danny Williams who are eligible to play in the Olympics. Essentially, all of the young gifted US players can play this summer in the United Kingdom which is why expectations should be high.
As far as Gatt’s role with the U-23 team, he told me that coach Caleb Porter has him at right back, so the Molde player can use his speed to make overlapping runs and come back and cover on the defensive side of the pitch.
It is the combination of pace and skill that makes Gatt such a dangerous attacking players. The 20-year-old has the type of speed that coaches drool over, and the American uses his wheels and dribbling ability to create youtube worthy goals for all of us to sit, watch, and enjoy. It is why US fans are unable to contain their excitement at another player who could be a star for the USMNT.
The right back for the U-23 squad has a sense of confidence about him that is infectious when talking to him, and will hopefully catch on with the rest of Caleb’s team. Gatt also has no fear on the pitch and is willing to take on anyone anywhere.
“Every since I was a kid I have had real knack for attacking.” “I have always wanted to go forward,” Gatt said. “I have always wanted to take players on and I never look at a player and say awe I cannot get passed him.” “I will try, and try again.” “You might stop me three or four times, but on the fifth time I am getting around him and go and beat him with my speed and get opportunities on goal.”
For a player of Gatt’s quality, it would be hard pressed to find a defender that stops him more than twice. However, the willingness and ability that the Michigan born player has to easily skip by opposing players means US fans have good reason to count down the days until Gatt earns his first senior cap. The talented 20-year-old is also a winner and while the U-23 squad is set on qualifying for the Olympics now, but after they qualify Gatt has high expectations for himself and his U-23 teammates.
“Once we get there (through qualifying) I believe that we are going to go chase gold,” Gatt said about his goal for the team after they qualify. ” Just like I expect any US teams to do.” “We are going to go straight for the gold every time.” “That’s what I want to do when I step on the field I always want to go for Gold, and we have a great team here and great supporting cast and I think all of us want to go there and win.”
Not only will Gatt be competing in the Olympics this year, but he will also be playing in the second round of Champions League after his club won the Tippeligaen (Norway’s league.) Potentially, 2012 could be the calendar year that the talented American introduces himself to the international stage. Performing on the big stage is something Gatt has wanted to do since he was a young kid kicking a ball around in Michigan, and it would be surprising to see Gatt disappoint.
“I think 2012 for me individual is going to be the most important year of my life as a player,” Gatt said. “A couple of huge stages where I can really showcase myself as a player to the world and I really want to do that.”
“I have been working up to this moment since I was a kid working everyday to be able to be a part of the national teams and to be qualifying for Champions League, and these are all things as a kid I dreamed of and now I have the chance to make it a reality,” Gatt said. “I want to make the most of it and work as hard as I can to get myself to the highest level”
With a huge year impending on the Molde player, it is strange to think that just a couple years ago he was playing for a second division club in Austria. It was his current coach at Molde, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, who saw something in the young America. So much so, that Solskjærbelieves Manchester United need to take a closer look at the American. High praises by the former United player and Gatt truly respects his coach at Molde FK.
“He has took me from my second division club in Austria and has brought me to Norway because he believes that he saw something in me,” Gatt said. ” And believes that he can make me the best player and under his wing for the past year I have really developed and become a much better player than I have ever been, because of him.”
“For him to recommend me to any team is flattering and it is amazing and whatever he tells me what to do or wherever he thinks I should go,” Gatt said. “It is a 100 percent trust, I trust him with my career and with my life as a soccer player and he has been the greatest coach I have had.”
Gatt still has a long way to go if he is going to become an elite player. With his talent, the support of coach Solskjær, and working with the US team, the Michigan born player does have every chance to achieve big things for US soccer. It will be a fun year to watch the U-23 player grow as a player, and hopefully he will provide more entertaining goals. One thing is for certain, Joshua Gatt has the desire to become a successful soccer player for club and country.