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The Bundesliga is usually one of the most multi-cultured leagues in terms of featuring young foreign talent.
Over the years, several world-class North American players have plied their trade in the German top flight, doing so with varying degrees of success.
Five most prolific North American goal-scorers in the Bundesliga
In recent times, plenty of talented North American players – from Giovanni Reyna to Mathew Hoppe – have tried to make a name for themselves in the Bundesliga. Let's find out how successful they have in their quest, especially in terms of their goal-scoring exploits.
On that note, let's take a look at the five most prolific North American goal-scorers in the Bundesliga:
#5 Timothy Chandler (USA) – 12 goals
Timothy Chandler is one of the longest-serving players in the Eintracht Frankfurt roster. With 12 Bundesliga goals, he is one of the surprise inclusions in our list.
It may not be long before he makes his way up this list, but he can be proud of his achievements at the Bundesliga club.
A right full-back by trade, Chandler and can play on the opposite side or even as a midfielder.
The American signed for Frankfurt in 2014; the 2019-20 campaign has been his best campaign in the Bundesliga, as he managed five goals, with most of them coming from the right midfield position.
He has had a pretty good career at the club, having lifted the DFB Pokal with them in 2018. Frankfurt will certainly hope Chandler stays fit and can help the team qualify for the Champions League.
#4 Christian Pulisic – 13 goals
Despite being only 22, it seems Christian Pulisic has already been around for a while.
The American international made his debut for Borussia Dortmund at the tender age of 16. He was heralded as the next big thing in the Bundesliga at the time.
Pulisic may have found the net just 13 times in the Bundesliga for Dortmund. But the stats don’t paint the entire picture, as teams struggled to contain his pace and trickery.
Eventually, Christian Pulisic earned a move to Chelsea, for whom he has already scored 13 times in all competitions.
The American has a long and bright future ahead of him, and he could eventually become the leading goal-scorer for his nation.
#3 Thomas Dooley (USA) – 20 Bundesliga goals
FC Kaiserslautern had a bit of a strange time in the ‘90s, as they unexpectedly won the Bundesliga (in ’91), got relegated in ’96 and came back to win the Bundesliga in 97-98.
Thomas Dooley, a player who is perhaps unknown to outside German football, was integral to Kaiserslautern’s Bundesliga-winning team in 1991. In fact, he also scored a few himself, which is why he finds himself on this list.
Back in the ’90s, there were plenty of defenders who liked to gallop forward, with Dooley being one of them.
A defender who had an eye for a goal, Dooley scored 20 goals in the Bundesliga. He represented Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke as well and even won the UEFA Cup with the latter in 1997.
#2 Leon Bailey (Jamaica) – 24 goals
Leon Bailey rose to prominence at Bayern Leverkusen in the 2017-18 season. As part of an exciting attacking quartet with the trio of Kai Havertz, Lucas Alario and Kevin Volland, the four players formed an impressive offence for the Bundesliga club.
Still only 23, Bailey has a bright future ahead of him. The Leverkusen fans will hope he stays at the club for a while.
The Jamaican has everything desired in a modern-day winger; his ability to dribble past players at pace has often earned him rave reviews.
Bailey is yet to hit his peak at Leverkusen. But when he does, he is likely to add a lot more to his tally of 24 Bundesliga goals he has managed so far.
#1 Javier Hernandez (Mexico) – 28 goals
When a young Javier Hernandez made his breakthrough at Deportivo Guadalajara, not many were willing to take a punt on the forward. Sir Alex Ferguson, however, saw his potential and signed the Mexican.
Eventually, Hernandez went on to lift the Premier League with Manchester United. A spell at Real Madrid followed, but he found his best form in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen.
Hernandez signed for Leverkusen in the summer of 2015, where he made an immediate impact. He scored 17 goals in the Bundesliga and five in the Champions League that season.
His second season at the Bundesliga club was not as prolific, though. But a return of 11 goals in 26 Bundesliga games wasn't too poor either.
It’s a shame Hernandez was sold to West Ham United, as he could have added a lot more to his tally of 28 goals in the German top flight.
