Точка Синхронізації

As one of just a handful of teenage central defenders starting for clubs in Top 5 European leagues — a list that includes the likes of Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsí and Manchester United’s Leny Yoro — Noahkai Banks could be feeling himself. The Hawaii-born, Germany-raised youngster hadn’t even started a Bundesliga game when United States men's national team coach Mauricio Pochettino invited him to his first senior team training camp last August. Since then, the 6-foot-4 Banks has been a mainstay in Augsburg’s starting lineup under two different managers; Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Mainz was his 17th appearance in the lineup in Augsburg’s last 18 matches. How could this breakout season not go to his head? "My mom would kick my ass if I'm not grounded anymore," Banks told a small group of reporters Tuesday during a video conference. "So there is no chance of that." Given the way Banks has acquitted himself on the field this season, it shouldn’t be surprising that his level of maturity away from the pitch is also unusual for a player his age. Asked several times over the course of the 30-minute virtual roundtable about his World Cup ambitions, Banks downplayed them. "It's not the right moment to think about the World Cup for me, because we have a lot of games left here, and we want to win those," he said of Augsburg, which sits just five points clear of the relegation zone in Germany’s top flight with 13 contests remaining. "A lot of players say it, but I really mean it. I really just focus on the games we have here. Then, let's see what happens." He’s got a shot for sure. While Pochettino can only name 26 players to the Americans’ World Cup roster this May, there’s an open competition in the heart of the USA's backline. Crystal Palace standout Chris Richards seems like a lock. Charlotte FC's Tim Ream is the other presumed starter, but is 38. Pochettino used a three-man setup in several friendlies last fall, which could open up another spot. Miles Robinson was the choice on the ri