Joe Scally, a 23‑year‑old midfielder from Long Island, has once again been named to the United States men’s national team for the World Cup, marking his second consecutive selection. The achievement comes after a breakout season in the Bundesliga, where he became the youngest non‑German to reach 150 appearances for Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Family Roots and Early Promise
Scally’s rise is rooted in a family that lives and breathes soccer. His mother, Margaret Scally, once shone in an Olympic development program, while his grandfather, Nick Scally, spent decades running a neighborhood soccer shop. The stories of those early days still echo in the hallways of his childhood home in Lake Grove.
Growing up in Lake Grove, New York, Scally balanced school with a relentless pursuit of the sport. He entered NYCFC’s youth academy at 14 and signed a professional contract a year later, even graduating from Sachem North High School months early to make the move to Germany at 18.
Milestone in Germany
In Germany, Scally quickly made his mark, becoming the youngest non‑German to hit 150 Bundesliga appearances for Borussia Mönchengladbach. The milestone underscores not only his technical skill but also his adaptability and maturity on a competitive stage.
Teammates say his infectious sense of humor lightens the locker room, and he often cranks Justin Bieber before matches to get in the zone. Yet the pressure of a World Cup is never far from his mind, a weight he shares with his parents, brother Drew and younger sister Anna.
'It’s a dream come true,' Scally said, reflecting on the honor of representing his country on football’s biggest stage. He credits the blend of family support, early independence, and a love for the game that began on the fields of Long Island as the foundation of his journey.