OneGoal Interview Series: American Striker Talent Matthew Hoppe on his move to Schalke 04

As the American game continues to grow, every year, it seems more and more young Americans make a move to Europe to test their skills against the best players in the world. At 18 years old, forward Matthew Hoppe has continued that trend following his move in June of last year from the prestigious Barcelona academy to esteemed German Bundesliga side, Schalke 04. After a sensational 18/19 season at the Barcelona Residency Program in Arizona, where he had 29 goals, Hoppe has spent this season with Schalke’s U-19 team as he begins his professional career in Europe. Last week we caught up with Hoppe, one of the top U-20 forward prospects for the U.S. to learn more about him and how his first season in Germany has been going. OneGoal: So you're playing in the U-19 Bundesliga right now. How would you describe what playing in that league has been like so far? Hoppe: Yeah, I think it's been a big change from playing in the US-DA (note: U.S. Soccer Development Academy), I think that the players are a lot more competitive and it’s a lot more physical. Every player is playing for a spot to further their career and to get to the next level, which makes it better for everyone because everyone is developing and has to take that next step faster.

OneGoal: So what's a typical training session like for your team? Hoppe: Our coach takes a very wholesome approach. He wants the right technique and the tactics to be sharp. So we start off with passing. We do passing drills, passing technique, and warm-up like that, and then we go into normal possession. There's a neutral, so there's an advantage to the team with the ball, and then it's focused around keeping the ball for your team. And if you lose it, fighting to get it back is also important. Everything is very intense. OneGoal: Did you watch any soccer growing up, or are there any players that you looked up to and tried to model your game after? Hoppe: Yeah, I watched growing up. I didn’t really have a specific team that I would support. But I looked up to Harry Kane a lot, and since I’ve been in Germany, I’ve tried to model my game after (Erling) Haaland and (Robert) Lewandowski. “Since I’ve been in Germany, I’ve tried to model my game after Haaland and Lewandowski.” - Matthew Hoppe on his role models as a rising striker. OneGoal: So how do you view your playing style, and what are your strengths as a player? Hoppe: Growing up, I played in the midfield my whole life, so I think that I've got good vision and awareness. Also, good aggressiveness to go forward and go to goal. In the Barca Academy, that's when I started to play forward: learning the position and learning how to go out there and put yourself in good positions. OneGoal: As far as off the field, what's life been like in Germany since you moved there? You mentioned taking German lessons, is that something most international players participate in, or is that something you took upon yourself? Hoppe: That's something that all the international players have to do. So at German lessons, there's actually one guy from South Africa one, guy from Norway and two guys from Belgium. OneGoal: Any big adjustments that you had to make just in lifestyle, or culturally? Hoppe: I mean, the whole culture here is different and obviously the language. I haven’t had to make any major changes, but it's just getting used to it pretty much. OneGoal: So, what has your time in Germany taught you about the game from a tactical standpoint? I know we’ve spoken with some other players in Germany, and they mentioned the tactics really open up once they're out there. Could you tell us more about what that experience has been like? Hoppe: Yeah, over here, it is all about tactics and the team, so you have to make sure you're doing your part in the team, or else the whole system doesn't work. So I've learned a lot about different tactics, different formations and different ways to play. I've been having to adapt to that. “Over here, it's all about the tactics. I’ve learned a lot about different tactics, formations, and different ways to play” - Matthew Hoppe on the heightened focus on tactics at Schalke. OneGoal: So, growing up in the States, you played for a few different programs. Like Golden State and Strikers FC before Barca Academy and now Schalke…what role did those clubs play in your early development for the game? And what's gotten you to this point? Hoppe: I think that all the teams that I’ve played for play a very different style of soccer. Going to Schalke and coming from Barca, I was able to learn a lot and pick up different things from each club, which I think was helpful for my development as a player growing up. I think that I've had really good coaches like Jimmy Nordberg, Don Ebert, and Sean McCafferty. They really helped me with my development.