03/15/26 10:33:00
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03/15 10:31 CDT Why a New York-born 16-year-old could play for Bayern Munich in
a key Champions League game
Why a New York-born 16-year-old could play for Bayern Munich in a key Champions
League game
MUNICH (AP) --- An unlikely run of injuries has sidelined Bayern Munich's top
three goalkeepers and could mean the German champion starts New York-born
16-year-old Leonard Prescott for its upcoming Champions League game against
Atalanta.
With first-choice Manuel Neuer recovering from a calf muscle tear, Prescott was
on the bench in the Champions League last week as Bayern beat Atalanta 6-1 in
the first leg of their round-of-16 encounter.
At the time it seemed mostly like a chance to familiarize a promising young
player, who starts for the Bayern under-19 team, with a more professional
environment.
Prescott was born in New York but started his playing career at Union Berlin
before a 2023 move to Bayern's academy. He has also played for the German
under-17 national team.
Prescott has suddenly become a possible starter after Jonas Urbig was concussed
in a collision in the final minute of the game. Backup Sven Ulreich tore his
right adductor in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen but stayed on the
field. He will be "sidelined for the time being," Bayern said Sunday, after he
was examined following the game.
If Neuer or the others can't recover in time, that could leave Prescott as
Bayern's starter against Atalanta on Wednesday after he was also the backup for
Ulreich on Saturday.
Among the other goalkeepers under contract to Bayern, reserve-team goalkeeper
Leon Klanac has been injured since December and Daniel Peretz is on loan at
Southampton.
One other option besides Prescott might be the 19-year-old Jannis Brtl, who
has played reserve games since Klanac's injury and was on the bench for two
Bundesliga games this season.
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