The Mysterious Case of Nick Taitague & His MLS Home

Sometime in 2017, I saw something pop-up on Twitter about this kid named Nick Taitague kid as a potential signing for big name clubs in Europe. Shortly after, the U.S. Twitter world (which includes me) exploded as this young USYNT player signed for Schalke in the German Bundesliga. At the time, Weston McKennie was growing within the Schalke team and the visions me and many USMNT fans had were *chefs kiss*. 

At that point, what we knew about Taitague came from his four brief appearances for the USL side Carolina Railhawks (now North Carolina FC) in 2016. After signing with Shalke, Taitague made 31 appearances for Schalke’s U19s, scoring 4 goals and recording 7 assists. After plenty of solid youth performances for Schalke, he was rewarded with a promotion to Schalke’s second team. Unfortunately, his time with the Shalke second team was filled with injuries and inconsistent playing time. Eventually, Taitague would become a free agent. What came from Taitague’s time with Schalke and within the U.S. youth national team system was his talent, which many thought was unreal. Reports stated that Taitague could play with anyone and could grow into a USMNT role if he could reach his potential. Naturally, my brain drifted towards the idea that Taitague should come home to MLS, get healthy, regain his form and realign his career path. 

But where would Taitague fit? It is tough to find tape of any recent performances from Taitague’s time at Schalke but, with what could be found, you can see his confidence on the ball and his creativity. Naturally, we’ve seen him fit in at the 10 or bounced out wide on the wing, but I feel he could be a legit threat as a true attacking midfielder with the ability to run at an opposing backline. There are a few places that I believe Taitague could wind up:

FC Cincinnati

To steal “You Ain’t Lion” podcast but I think Cincy would have a legitimate shot and should try to sign him. He fits into exactly what Cincy needs; American, talented, shouldn’t be a big cap hit, and an attack minded 10. I like Allan Cruz a lot but I don’t feel like he fits into the Cincy system next to Frankie Amaya. The idea of Cincy’s three man starting midfield being Mokotjo, Amaya, and Taitague is exciting to me as an outsider. Sure, am I hoping for a little luck going FCC’s way? Yes, but if he can hit his potential under a manager who has played at the highest of highes then maybe we see some more goals and wins in 2021. 

D.C. United

If things don’t go through with Mesut, then I think Taitague could be a solid B option. Having a true 10 would give (insert name of manager that D.C. finally decides to sign after 1,000 years here) the opportunity to play their players at their true positions! You have the opportunity to have a stud GK with a three man backline. Then add the two wingbacks of Gressel and Mora. Canouse can play as a 6 next to someone like Taitague who can be a true creator for the three in front of them! Arriola, Flores, Asad, Kamara, Yow, whoever! This could be a real benefit to the squad in 2021 and allow for less options on the roster which I think is a good thing.

LAFC

Now this one is easy right? I said this before about FC Cincinnati, but having Taitague develop under a manager who has been at the highest of highes is going to be amazing for his development!!! What else could you ask for as a young American than to go play and learn from Bob Bradley? I don’t think he comes into the roster as the starting attacking midfielder, but as a first option off the bench for Latif Blessing doesn’t sound too bad. His ability to run at a defense would be lethal along with Carlitos, Rossi, Rodriguez and the rest of that attack. If LAFC decide to move on from any of their attackers, I really feel like Taitague could be a guy to step up and fill a role (if Bob can help develop him into the talent many out there knows he has).

Houston Dynamo

This argument for the Dynamo is not even the strongest in my brain here. But to me there was two main reasons why I feel like this could be a good move. First, Taitague’s familiarity with Tab Ramos. Tab was the U.S. U20 manager for a looooong time before taking the reigns of the Dynamo. In Tab’s time as U20 manager, he came across Taitague. Now he wasn’t a constant and featured player under Tab but the connection and familiarity is there. Shit… he may even be the first young player Tab can say he developed and move on from at the club level! Second, the Dynamo’s M.O. The Dynamo are not going to go out there and sign the next global superstar heading to MLS. The Dynamo are looking for domestic players on the cheap and try to compete from there. Sounds like a fit, no?

Minnesota United FC

My final squad pick here is the one I NEED to see happen. Taitague moving to Minnesota would be a win/win for both player and club. Minnesota is potentially losing the talented winger/attacking midfielder that carried them to a Western Conference final in Hot Boi. Who better to fill the Hot Boi shoes in Minnesota than Taitague? He is aggressive, he is creative, he has confidence, and pairing him with a guy like Reynoso sounds perfect. I don’t know if signing him would be the first need option over signing a striker, but Adrian… if you are somehow reading this you can thank me later.