Joe Scally from Long Island earns spot on USMNT World Cup team again

Joe Scully and His World Cup Journey

Joe Scully is excited to represent the United States again at the World Cup, after a tense wait for news last weekend while surrounded by family in Lake Grove.

“It was a really stressful day, but when the call came in, we were overjoyed,” Scully shared after the U.S. roster reveal in Manhattan.

A bit of nervousness doesn’t faze the young star defender from Borussia Mönchengladbach, who recently set a record as the youngest player to hit 150 appearances in the Bundesliga. Coming back home has made him feel grateful.

At only 19, Scully is the youngest member of the U.S. team this World Cup. “All the players from Long Island know how to handle pressure,” he remarked, glad to represent his roots in this significant event.

Pride in his family’s rich soccer legacy runs deep. His grandfather owned a local soccer shop for many years, and his mother, Margaret, made a name for herself in the Olympic development program.

“She was energetic, skilled, and very smart,” recalled her former coach, John Fitzgerald, now involved with the American Soccer Club. Despite an ACL injury in her teens that cut her playing career short, she remained influential, supporting Scully’s development as a player from the sidelines.

“I don’t want to say anything inappropriate, but he really wanted me to coach him,” Margaret chuckled. “It meant a lot to me, and I still joke about it.”

The skills she helped instill are evident. “He had a maturity beyond his years when it came to understanding the game,” said Frank Schmidt, who coached Scully as a child. At just 11, Joe could perform tasks that even older, more experienced players struggled with.

His older brother, Drew, felt from an early age that Joe was destined for great things. “When he was around 12, I knew he was special,” said Drew, who is now 26.

Scully took a significant step by joining NYCFC’s youth academy at 14, where he faced fierce competition. “It’s one thing to play as a ninth-grader; it’s entirely different to match up against seniors or even former World Cup players,” Schmidt noted.

Joe consistently rose to these challenges: he signed a pro contract at 15, graduated from high school a few months early, and headed to Germany by 18, all while impressing his family with his maturity and charisma.

Margaret highlighted his infectious humor, noting that his teammates often cite him as the source of their laughter. “Every time we’re having a good time, they say, ‘Oh, Joe said something,’” she added.

Drew affirmed that Joe has always had this lighthearted side, recalling times when they’d tease each other growing up.

When it’s game time, Justin Bieber’s music often helps Joe focus. “He’s definitely one of Joe’s favorites,” Drew said, mentioning songs like “Stay” and “Love Yourself” that Joe listens to before matches.

As the World Cup approaches, the Scully family knows the weight of what lies ahead. Despite the pressures of competition, Joe will also find moments to relax—watching the Knicks, grabbing a bite at Lake Grove Deli, and enjoying family games of Uno.