Joe Scally is the Bundesliga-tested right-back in the USMNT squad, a Borussia Mönchengladbach regular who gives head coach Mauricio Pochettino a reliable, athletic option at full-back. Having moved to Germany as a teenager and racked up more than 160 appearances in one of Europe’s top five leagues, Scally brings hard-earned experience to a home World Cup.
A Bundesliga education
Scally left the New York City academy for Borussia Mönchengladbach as a teenager and grew into a first-team regular in the Bundesliga, a rare American to establish himself so young in one of Europe’s biggest leagues. Versatile enough to play either flank, he has been a fixture in the Gladbach defense for years. His club record in our database is below.
| Club | Apps | Tackles won | Interceptions | Clearances | Aerial duels won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borussia Mönchengladbach (Bundesliga) | 167 | 140 | 81 | 324 | 115 |
What the numbers say
Scally’s Gladbach record is that of a busy, dependable full-back: 167 appearances, 140 tackles won, 81 interceptions and 324 clearances, with 115 aerial duels won for a right-back. Across nearly 12,000 Bundesliga minutes he has shown the consistency and one-on-one defending that top-flight football demands, the profile of a full-back you can trust to do the basics well week in, week out.
Joe Scally and the USMNT
For the United States, Scally is experienced cover and competition at right-back, an option alongside Sergiño Dest and Alex Freeman. His Bundesliga grounding and ability to fill in on either side give Pochettino flexibility in the full-back areas. See where he fits in our USMNT roster guide.
USA 4-1 Paraguay and what is next
Scally was part of the squad but did not feature in the 4-1 win over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium, with Dest used on the right. Read the full USA vs Paraguay player ratings. Next up is Australia in Seattle on June 19. Planning to go? See our World Cup 2026 tickets guide. For the bigger picture, see our World Cup 2026 hub and the latest World Cup 2026 winner odds, with more at U.S. Soccer. Must be 21+ and present in a state where betting is legal. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
The underlying numbers
Scally’s attacking contribution is easy to overlook but real. In the Bundesliga he has chipped in 9 assists and 4 goals for Gladbach, beating his expected assists figure of 6.3, while creating 13 big chances and 76 key passes overall. He has also pumped 280 passes into the penalty area and logged 137 touches inside the opposition box, evidence of a fullback who genuinely contributes going forward, not just a defensive specialist.
The defending holds up in the rates too. He has won 140 of 211 attempted tackles, a success rate around 66 percent, across nearly 12,000 top-flight minutes. That combination of reliability and end product is exactly the profile a tournament squad values in its fullback depth.
Joe Scally is an American right-back for Borussia Moenchengladbach in the Bundesliga and a member of the USMNT squad. A long-serving Gladbach regular, he offers experience and reliability at full-back.
Scally plays for Borussia Moenchengladbach in Germany’s Bundesliga, where he has made more than 160 appearances after moving over from the New York City academy as a teenager.
He is a right-back who can also cover the left, a steady, athletic full-back comfortable defending one-on-one and supporting the attack down the flank.
No. Scally was part of the squad but did not feature in the 4-1 win over Paraguay, with Sergino Dest used on the right of the United States set-up.