Terrence Boyd scored his first Bundesliga goal and looks up for a USMNT push
Terrence Boyd was once one of the most promising strikers in the American player pool, but his career has been filled with stops and starts. As he has languished with injury and a lack of playing time, he's fallen further and further down the depth chart.
But Boyd, who will turn 26 this week, is looking to rejuvenate his standing for club and country with a new team. On Saturday, he took a big step forward, scoring his first-ever Bundesliga goal for Darmstadt:
https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/830439294137364480
The ball was served up to Boyd in the box, and although he had the clear opening for a shot, he did well to swivel his body around to get behind the ball and direct it on frame in one touch. That goal helped Darmstadt beat Borussia Dortmund, 2-1, in a huge win for the last-place club.
The goal was his first for Darmstadt after three matches with his new club, and his first in Germany's top flight, period. Boyd joined relegation candidate Darmstadt this winter in a bid for more playing time and, it's early, but it looks like it's going to be a good fit as he tries to work his way back into form.
For Boyd, the ultimate goal may be eventually working his way back into USMNT consideration. He hasn't featured regularly for the Americans since 2013 and he looks to be pretty far on the depth chart these days. But he is on the depth chart and, as a big target man who can win battles in the box, a spot on the USMNT someday isn't out of the question.
The key for Boyd right now is as much form as it is fitness. He needs to keep getting minutes for Darmstadt and playing well – and he needs to stay healthy. Boyd missed all of last season due to a knee injury and he didn't play at all for Leipzig in the first half of this season either, being relegated to the reserve squad.
If he can do those things and keep up what he showed on Saturday, there's the chance he could work his way back into the USMNT conversation before the 2018 World Cup. Boyd has a lot of career left in him and he'll be one American to keep an eye on.
