Friday, April 25, 2025

American Showdown in the Bundesliga

Gladbach Travel to Keil as Scally Goes Head-to-Head with Tolkin

This Saturday's clash between Holstein Kiel and Borussia Mönchengladbach will feature a special reunion as American defenders Joe Scally and John Tolkin face off in the Bundesliga. The match carries significant implications for both clubs, with Kiel fighting relegation and Gladbach chasing European qualification.

Scally has been a consistent presence for Mönchengladbach this season, appearing in 29 of 30 league matches and starting 28 of them. The right-back has been a mainstay in Gerardo Seoane's defensive line, playing 90 minutes in most matches. Despite Gladbach's recent struggles—going winless in three April fixtures—Scally has maintained his place in the team, including in their recent 3-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund where he played 70 minutes.

Tolkin's season has been more challenging since joining Holstein Kiel in the winter transfer window. The 22-year-old left-back missed several matches due to muscular problems but has recently returned to the starting lineup, playing the full 90 minutes in Kiel's impressive 1-1 draw against RB Leipzig last weekend. This upcoming match will mark his eighth appearance for the struggling side.

The encounter is significant for both Americans, who know each other from the U.S. youth national teams. While they never played together at club level—Tolkin developed at New York Red Bulls while Scally came through New York City FC—there's a friendly rivalry between the compatriots separated by just 131 miles back home.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing him," Tolkin said of Scally. "We haven't spoken yet, but we'll definitely have a bit of trash talk on the pitch."

The match represents Kiel's desperate attempt to climb out of last place. They currently sit three points behind 16th-placed Heidenheim and need a win to keep their survival hopes alive via the relegation playoff. Gladbach, meanwhile, sits ninth in the table but just three points off sixth place and potential Conference League qualification. The Americans' duel adds an intriguing subplot to a match with high stakes for both clubs as the Bundesliga season enters its final stretch.

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