American forward Bobby Wood seeking exit from 1860 Munich

The forward is seeing his role grow with the national team but is still struggling for playing time at the club level.

CARSON, Calif. — American forward Bobby Wood hopes to leave 1860 Munich during the January window in order to find a club where he can get more regular playing time.



Though Wood has been something of a regular with the U.S. national team since the 2014 World Cup, playing a total of 161 minutes across the Americans' pair of friendlies in both October and November, he has seen only four league minutes for 2. Bundesliga side 1860 Munich since August.



Despite the lack of time, U.S. manager Jurgen Klinsmann has pegged the 22-year-old as a player who has the potential to contribute to the team during the 2018 World Cup cycle, and the boss' praise has helped lift the striker's spirits.



"It’s always an awesome feeling when you have someone in your corner, and someone like Jurgen as well," Wood said Monday. "It helped me mentally a lot, it helped me stay positive and that’s what’s pretty much what I’m trying to do. Hopefully things will figure themselves out."



"Hopefully something will change," he said when asked if he was looking to leave the club. "That’s what I’m trying to do right now but we’ll see. It’s hard to say right now."



Klinsmann, who played and later managed in Munich for 1860 rival Bayern, said he knows club officials well and was happy Wood was able to join the January camp rather than train with the club.



As with any player, Klinsmann said the national team is trying to help Wood develop and said he hopes to see Wood in upcoming friendlies against Chile and Panama.



And like Wood, the manager seems hopeful the Hawaii native can find a club where he frequently suits up.



"Right now it looks most like that they are ready to release him basically if the right offers are coming in and the right clubs wants to have open discussion," Klinsmann said.



In comments released by U.S. Soccer earlier this month the manager singled out Wood as a young player who can contribute to the national team in 2015 and Monday he reiterated his assessment.



"I think he has a lot of positive characteristics in his game," he said. "He’s a good kid, he’s a good listener, he’s working very hard, so we just try to help him get to the next level and solve the situation with the club."