To begin the long international break due to the World Cup, Hamburg SV traveled to the United States to take on USL Championship side Orange County SC. Hamburg came away with 1-0 victory in a match that lacked intensity and aggression at times despite both clubs running a high press. This was most likely due to the match only being a friendly. Hamburg rolled out its typical 4-3-3 formation to combat Orange County’s 4-2-3-1. Ghanaian senior international Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer bagged the match’s only goal for Hamburg’s victory. Ludovit Reis subbed on after the half and showed off his technical skill that his made him so consistent in midfield in 2. Bundesliga this season. Meanwhile, French summer signing William Mikelbrencis had some nice moments on the attack at inverted right back and academy product Tom Sanne looked very pacy with some moments of technical dribbling in limited minutes. For Orange County, their golden boot winner Milan Iloski (22 goals) flashed why he won the award with great instincts in the box and some good finishing opportunities. 16-year-old Sunheon Hwang subbed in late in the match at right winger but immediately stood out as an aggressive presser and put in an accurate headed pass, too.
Ratings:
- A1 – Very good, could play higher
- A2 – Strong potential to play higher
- B1 – Good, strong player at level
- B2 – Potential to be a strong player at level
- C – Average for the level, rewatch
- D – Below average in this match
Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Ghanaian
- Age: 21
- Date of birth: 13/09/2001
- Club: Hamburg SV
- Career: Hertha BSC (Y), Dynamo Dresden
- Position: Center Forward
- Secondary Positions: Right Winger, Right Wingback
- Preferred foot: Right
Königsdörffer played one of the best matches I have seen him in yet. The 183 cm sturdy built right winger started this match at center forward, a position he has some experience in at Dynamo Dresden. He played there until the 68th minute when he switched to the right wing where he most often plays. Königsdörffer displayed his great pace in this match and that showed up when he was pressing high, even getting a block. When he moved to right wing, he was not asked to do much more defensively but track back and be an extra body. His main role in this match was to provide the finishing touch and he did just that.
On the attack, Königsdörffer did well off ball in finding space and stretching the middle channel with his pacy runs. He got in behind easily and was able to find space between the center backs to receive short. His constant off ball motion benefited him well, converting into chances created for him. Königsdörffer stretched the space between the two center backs in a quick run through toward the box and received a cross the hit him right on the head and he pushed it toward the bottom left for the score. It was a very natural heading motion with his momentum for the goal and a satisfying finish to watch. He kept at it with those runs into the box it came away with the decisive goal for his troubles. To me, that is a player with good mentality to keep pushing and not get discouraged.
Early in the match, Königsdörffer attempted a bicycle kick on a cross into the box but the ball missed him. The versatile right-footed attacker had some flair to his game. In another run, he went toward back post and received with a flick over his marker for a shot with his left but missed wide right. Königsdörffer did not get much opportunity to show off his flair when dribbling in this match, but in his short time playing the right wing he held up the ball in the box after winning a loose ball and froze his marker. He then playied a through ball past him for a near assist. The chance creation that he offers was missing playing in his previous role, so that again makes me ponder how he would do as a false nine. When he did get the ball at his feet, Königsdörffer mainly played smart short passes with quick decision-making. Additionally, he was fouled at the edge of the box for a free kick on an impressive spin move.
Rating – A2
Königsdörffer played a man of the match level performance and continued to show growth as a player. Each time I watch him he seems to improve in a new place. In my first full watch of him as a center forward, I was proven right on some suspicions. He did not quite play the role I wanted him to, but it unlocked his intelligence as an off-ball creator, allowing him to show off his improving finishing ability. Königsdörffer was a threat in this match and proved once again why Bundesliga clubs, like Union Berlin or his youth club Hertha Berlin, should be after him if they are not already.
Jonas David
Player Profile:
- Nationality: German
- Age: 22
- Date of birth: 08/03/2000
- Club: Hamburg SV
- Career: Meiendorfer SV (Y), Eintracht Norderstedt (Y), Würzburger Kickers (Loan)
- Position: Right Center Back
- Secondary Position: Defensive Midfielder
- Preferred foot: Right
190 cm tall Jonas David had a good performance at right center back as a huge imposing threat roaming the back line. His physicality and decent pace for his position combined to overwhelm Orange County’s attackers and create a unique profile at center back. David also displayed notable stamina and hustle throughout the match. Although the hustle and physicality are positives, his recklessness at times can make them a negative. Aerially, David only had a few attempts—one an accurate header, another inaccurate and he gave the ball away in transition that created a chance in the box, and the last a clearance on a set piece. He had another clearance with his right foot, as well.
Defensively, David used his body and physicality to his advantage. He imposed himself on attackers and used his frame and body positioning to make it difficult to round him in 1v1s. He was relentless and physical with his stand tackles and had multiple instances where he went in for seconds on a tackle if he did not collect the loose ball, especially against the boundary. One of the times he was overly physical, he pushed a player down for a foul. Another time, he had a mis-touch on an interception and gave away possession. David used his good recovery speed to get in and get shoulder to shoulder but clearly fouled his opponent and surprisingly no penalty was given. Despite these bad moments, his recovery speed was impressive to catch up with some pacy players on Orange County’s front line. Off ball, he would roam the back line ready to cover. This came at the cost of his marking it seemed, as it was inconsistent with too much space afforded at times.
David was a very offensive-minded center back, advancing toward the final third on many occasions. The center back would join the attack as an extra central midfielder, especially if he was heavily involved in the buildup. David would then make a run toward the box or sit a little deeper than the midfielders. He displayed confidence as a ball carrier and technical ability as a dribbler I rarely see from a defender. David combined that with a calm demeanor under pressure. His right foot had nice touch and passing range to spark attacks with his distribution. He did not try many long passes, but his intermediate creation was intelligently played with accuracy. David tried a through ball to Königsdörffer, too, but not enough weight was on it to connect. His offensive skillset was unique for a player of his position and size.
Rating – B1
Overall, Jonas David’s performance showed he was clearly above the quality of Orange County’s players, but he did lack control at times and made mistakes. His physical potential is immense, and his style and offensive ability made him seem like a defensive midfielder. I reckon David could play an anchorman role well and defensive midfielder is his secondary position on Transfermarkt. 2. Bundesliga is his level, and although he is a huge physical talent, I do not see him improving much more technically. Giving David an opportunity at defensive midfielder when league play begins in January would be a nice option for manager Tim Walter.
Matheo Raab
Player Profile:
- Nationality: German
- Age: 23
- Date of birth: 18/12/1998
- Club: Hamburg SV
- Career: SV Wolfenhausen (Y), Sportfreunde Eisbachtal (Y), SV Eintracht Trier 05, FC Kaiserslautern
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Preferred foot: Right
In Matheo Raab’s second start for Hamburg, he kept a clean sheet on American soil. The 187 cm tall goalkeeper displayed good reflexes in this match and did not look as though he has only played one match since the start of 2022-2023.
When defending his goal, Raab was always ready for the shot to come in, especially once it entered the box. He communicated well with his back line and was visibly pointing and shouting instructions. On one transition opportunity for Orange County, he came out of his box to clear the ball out from the attacker with his right foot. His first save of the match came on a low ground shot to his left for an easy catch. The second, Raab had to dive to his right to make a decent save on a long finesse shot. His last save was on a header in the box from a cross where the shot was right at him with not much power. On corners, he bobbled one catch but luckily the ball fell to a teammate and on another he collected it comfortably despite some contention.
As a distributor, Raab was calm on the ball and did not hesitate when making decisions, even when facing some pressure. He mostly distributed with his right and had one intermediate pass to his right back on the wing with it, though he mostly played short passes to his center backs. He did utilize his left on short passes a few times, too, even doing a stepover into one. Raab’s one long clearance of the match was when he faced pressure and he hit it line drive and through midfield.
Rating – B1
Raab had a satisfactory but not spectacular match against Orange County. He made some nice saves but did have that mistake on the corner. Raab also did not face the most action as his backline kept him relatively safe. This was a generally quiet match for him, but I maintain he should be challenging for Hamburg’s first choice goalkeeper spot next season. His quality is surely good enough to be a regular 2. Bundesliga starter.