Paredes' First Bundesliga Goal

On This Day in 2023, a Year After Signing in Germany, the Teenager Netted His First for Wolfsburg

When Kevin Paredes was transferred to VfL Wolfsburg on January 28, 2022, managing director Marcel Schäfer praised the 18-year-old's "exceptionally gifted left foot" while noting the $7.35 million fee was a modest investment by Bundesliga standards. The Virginia native's first year in Germany was one of adaptation, making just two appearances totaling 13 minutes as he adjusted to life abroad. Living alone in a new country and learning a new language, Paredes had to grow up quickly. "I turned into a man quickly," he would later reflect.

The 2022-23 season started with Paredes seeing more time off the bench. He made six appearances before earning his first start on October 22. A calf problem limited his action before the World Cup break, which gave Paredes a chance to reset. Following the pause, the teenager began making regular appearances off the bench, including an assist against Freiburg on January 21, his first direct goal contribution in German football. That moment set the stage for what would happen a week later at the Weserstadion in Bremen.

On January 28, Wolfsburg entered their match against Werder Bremen looking to maintain their push for European places. The hosts, however, had other ideas as Niklas Füllkrug's brace put them in control of the match. With his side trailing 2-0, Niko Kovac looked to his bench in the 82nd minute and called on Paredes to provide an attacking spark in the closing stages.

The moment arrived in the 90th minute following a Wolfsburg corner kick. The ball was partially cleared but fell invitingly to Paredes at the top of the Bremen box. The former D.C. United academy product connected perfectly with his left foot. His shot was precise, finding the bottom-right corner of the net for his first Bundesliga goal. While it proved only a consolation in the 2-1 defeat, the strike was historically significant - Paredes became just the sixth American teenager to score in the Bundesliga since the start of the 2017-18 season.

"I'm really grateful," Paredes would say a month later about his growing opportunities with Wolfsburg. That gratitude showed in his performances, as the goal against Bremen was part of a strong run of form that put him in contention for the U.S. Men's National Team as a new World Cup cycle began. The winger would make another 12 appearances off the bench, registering two assists to close out the Bundesliga season.

Paredes would become more of a starter in the 2023-24 season, scoring three goals in 28 Bundesliga matches. He earned his US call-up for the August matches against Uzbekistan and Oman, with his first cap coming in the latter. He came off the bench vs Germany in October and made his first start in the 3-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago in November. The performances throughout the season earned Paredes a spot on the 2024 US Olympic team, where he scored two goals and added an assist in four matches during the tournament over the summer.