Gooch’s international setback could provide boost for Cats
BLACK CATS FOCUS
Sunderland’s Lynden Gooch has not been called up to the latest USA squad to face England and Italy later this month – missing out on Wayne Rooney’s big international comeback.
But the winger’s international setback could be good news for the Black Cats, who will now have Gooch, 22, available for their League One fixture against Wycombe Wanderers on November 17.
Sunderland could postpone the game if three or more of their players are called up by their countries, as was the case when their game against Blackpool was called off last month.
But manager Jack Ross is keen for the game to go ahead and avoid a potential fixture backlog.
Jon McLaughlin has already been called up for Sunderland, while Bryan Oviedo and Tom Flanagan could be selected by Costa Rica and Northern Ireland respectively.
If that happens, Ross would have to decide whether or not to try to postpone the game against Wycombe.
Gooch’s exclusion from USA’s 28-man squad may make Ross’ decision a little easier though.
The 22-year-old has been a key player for the Wearsiders this term, contributing with three goals and six assists.
Dave Sarachan’s decision to leave Gooch out of his sqaud will undestandibly come as dissapointing news for the Sunderland man, who was hoping to feature against England at Wembley on November 15.
“Of course, I think it would be an amazing thing to be a part of,” Gooch recently said when asked if he was targeting a recall against the Three Lions.
“Being in this country for seven years now it would mean a lot to me to get called up.”
Even so, Gooch always knew he would face an uphill battle to be selected while playing in League One, especially when many of his international team-mates, the likes of Borussia Dortmund’s Christian Pulisic and PSG’s Tim Weah, are playing in the Champions League.
Gooch has been capped four times by his national side but last featured for the USA back in May, when he made a brief substitute appearance against Bolivia.
Sarachan decided to call up Swedish-based winger Romain Gall ahead of Gooch, with the youngster having impressed at Malmo with 12 goals this season. Sarachan said: “He had been off the radar a little bit and sort of reemerged this year with his strong play for Sundsvall which continued when he transferred midseason to one of Sweden’s top clubs, Malmo.
When we talk about bringing along young guys and having the opportunity to see where they’re at, he has put himself in the conversation with the minutes he’s getting and his consistent production this season.
“He is an intriguing player in the attacking third, and I think you can never have enough guys to look at that can pull off plays in that part of the field.”