'It's crazy!' Joe Scally set for 150th Bundesliga appearance

Borussia Mönchengladbach defender Joe Scally says "it's crazy'" that he is in line to make his 150th Bundesliga appearance this weekend, an achievement that would make him the youngest non-German player ever to do so.

Scally will be just 23 years and 116 days old when Gladbach take on fellow strugglers Wolfsburg on Saturday as they bid for a win that would give them much-needed breathing room in this season's relegation dogfight.

The 24-time USA international joined the Foals in January 2021, and after a period of bedding in, has been a mainstay in the side since the start of the 2021/22 season. He scored just his fourth top-flight goal last week as Gladbach were held to a 1-1 draw by Mainz. 

"It means so much to me," Scally said when asked about his upcoming landmark outing.

"It’s honestly a crazy number to hit, because I’m still only 23 years old. I’m delighted to have been part of this club for such a long time already and to have almost racked up this number of appearances in the Bundesliga.

"The fact that I got the chance to play regular football at such a young age gave me so much confidence, and offered me the opportunity to prove myself at this level and to develop as a player. All that has led me to this position, where I’ve already hit this number of games."

Joe Scally was on international duty with the USA in March, and should be part of the squad for the 2026 World Cup on home turf. - Jared C. Tilton

About the players

29

Joe

Scally

Defender

Borussia Mönchengladbach

Nevertheless, despite his personal achievements, Scally is all too aware that Gladbach are in a perilous position in the Bundesliga. Sitting 13th in the table on 31 points heading into Matchday 31, Eugen Polanski's side are just five points clear of St. Pauli in the relegation play-off spot. 

"It’s definitely an uncomfortable situation," said the defender, who has two goals and three assists in 28 Bundesliga games in 2025/26.

"We all know where we stand right now, how the table is looking and what we still have to do. I’ve been through similar situations in my time here. We have a strong group, and we aren’t feeling nervous. The most important thing across the final few matches will be whether we can reproduce the kind of display we put on in the first half against Mainz, and which we’ve shown we’re capable of in many home games this season."

Watch: Scally's first Bundesliga goal, in October 2021

Watch: Wolfsburg 1-3 Borussia Mönchengladbach - in 60 seconds!02.10.2021

Incidentally, Wolfsburg were the opponents when Scally scored his first-ever Bundesliga goal in October 2021, netting with a composed finish after a lung-busting run forward.

"It was such an incredible feeling," he said of that maiden strike to secure a 3-1 win. "I was over the moon when it went in. I often watch the goal back, to this day. It was a special moment for me, my first goal in the Bundesliga. It would be incredible to run it back this weekend and score another goal there."

About the clubs

Borussia Mönchengladbach

BORUSSIA-PARK