Indiana University Athletics
Gutjahr Enjoys Unexpected National Team Experience
10/28/2015 8:17:00 AM | Men's Soccer
On Oct. 6, Jeremiah Gutjahr woke up for a 6 a.m. workout only to find an email requesting that he join the U-20 United States Men's National Team for two games at the Mercedes-Benz Elite Cup in Stuttgart, Germany.
The unexpected call-up was a surprise for the Indiana freshman. The Hoosiers were in the midst of their own season, but an invitation to represent his country was too much for Gutjahr to turn down.
With head coach Todd Yeagley's blessing, Gutjahr was on a flight out of Indianapolis within nine hours of receiving his national team invite to his email. After a stopover in Atlanta, he arrived in Germany to join training immediately with his new teammates.
"I went from working out here at 6 a.m. to working out there at 6 a.m. in 24 hours," Gutjahr said. "It was a wild 24 hours, and I just went with it."
Normally, Gutjahr would have had more notice of his needed assistance, but the U.S. unexpectedly found itself shorthanded after losing 8-1 to Germany in the opening game and needed an immediate defensive replacement.
Gutjahr, who previously spent time with the U-18 team, joined the Americans in time to play a full 90 minutes at center back against both Scotland and Mexico on short notice. The U.S. played to draws in both contests.
"It was an incredible experience, going out with the 20s," Gutjahr said. "I've been with the 18s before. Just climbing up through that system, it's really cool being able to represent your country. It's a cool feeling."
Yeagley said the decision to leave Bloomington to play for the national team was entirely Gutjahr's choice that he fully supported.
This wasn't the first time an Indiana player left mid-season to play for his country. In 2003, Yeagley allowed former Hoosiers Drew Moor and Ned Grabavoy to leave IU to join the national team during the 2003 NCAA Tournament. Both returned to the U.S. just in time to help the Hoosiers win a national championship.
"You first figure out if he can do it academically, and he could. That was the first course of action," Yeagley said. "He's 'very bright, and his professors worked with him. Second, you don't want ot hold back one of your players from an opportunity. As a coach, if you do that, you're not going to get them fully committed. We brought them here to help them achieve their goals and their team goals. It would be short-sighted by us to hold him back."
Gutjahr's playing experience in Germany was slightly different than what he's used to at Indiana.
Along with an increase in playing time, Gutjahr was playing out of position. The U.S. needed him at center back instead of his more typical midfield position he's gotten used to with the Hoosiers.
"I did alright. I had a lot of adrenaline going," he said. "It was different. I've played center back a little bit before, but not this year, so I haven't played it in a while. All the kids there are so good, if you play your role and stick to doing your thing, you'll be fine."
Since arriving back in Bloomington, Yeagley said he's seen a new-found confidence in Gutjahr. He's hoping the national team experience ends up paying dividends for IU in the closing part of the season.
"We're as confident as ever after having a little more experience for Jeremiah," Yeagley said. "Even though it's a little bit different role than he has with us positionally, it's one we know he can go in and do a nice job…That's a great confidence boost."
Gutjahr arrived back in Bloomington just in tme to travel with the Hoosiers to Maryland where the Hoosiers played to a 1-1 draw the Terrapins last Friday. He jumped right back in the rotation in IU's 2-1 win against Louisville on Tuesday and is expected to continue to provide Indiana with a spark off the bench as they close out the Big Ten regular season.
After an 11-day whirlwind trip, Gutjahr said he's glad to be back.
"It was a bummer missing Indiana soccer," Gutjahr said. "I love it, so it's hard to miss two games, but I feel like it was an opportunity I didn't want to pass up."
The unexpected call-up was a surprise for the Indiana freshman. The Hoosiers were in the midst of their own season, but an invitation to represent his country was too much for Gutjahr to turn down.
With head coach Todd Yeagley's blessing, Gutjahr was on a flight out of Indianapolis within nine hours of receiving his national team invite to his email. After a stopover in Atlanta, he arrived in Germany to join training immediately with his new teammates.
"I went from working out here at 6 a.m. to working out there at 6 a.m. in 24 hours," Gutjahr said. "It was a wild 24 hours, and I just went with it."
Normally, Gutjahr would have had more notice of his needed assistance, but the U.S. unexpectedly found itself shorthanded after losing 8-1 to Germany in the opening game and needed an immediate defensive replacement.
Gutjahr, who previously spent time with the U-18 team, joined the Americans in time to play a full 90 minutes at center back against both Scotland and Mexico on short notice. The U.S. played to draws in both contests.
"It was an incredible experience, going out with the 20s," Gutjahr said. "I've been with the 18s before. Just climbing up through that system, it's really cool being able to represent your country. It's a cool feeling."
Yeagley said the decision to leave Bloomington to play for the national team was entirely Gutjahr's choice that he fully supported.
This wasn't the first time an Indiana player left mid-season to play for his country. In 2003, Yeagley allowed former Hoosiers Drew Moor and Ned Grabavoy to leave IU to join the national team during the 2003 NCAA Tournament. Both returned to the U.S. just in time to help the Hoosiers win a national championship.
"You first figure out if he can do it academically, and he could. That was the first course of action," Yeagley said. "He's 'very bright, and his professors worked with him. Second, you don't want ot hold back one of your players from an opportunity. As a coach, if you do that, you're not going to get them fully committed. We brought them here to help them achieve their goals and their team goals. It would be short-sighted by us to hold him back."
Gutjahr's playing experience in Germany was slightly different than what he's used to at Indiana.
Along with an increase in playing time, Gutjahr was playing out of position. The U.S. needed him at center back instead of his more typical midfield position he's gotten used to with the Hoosiers.
"I did alright. I had a lot of adrenaline going," he said. "It was different. I've played center back a little bit before, but not this year, so I haven't played it in a while. All the kids there are so good, if you play your role and stick to doing your thing, you'll be fine."
Since arriving back in Bloomington, Yeagley said he's seen a new-found confidence in Gutjahr. He's hoping the national team experience ends up paying dividends for IU in the closing part of the season.
"We're as confident as ever after having a little more experience for Jeremiah," Yeagley said. "Even though it's a little bit different role than he has with us positionally, it's one we know he can go in and do a nice job…That's a great confidence boost."
Gutjahr arrived back in Bloomington just in tme to travel with the Hoosiers to Maryland where the Hoosiers played to a 1-1 draw the Terrapins last Friday. He jumped right back in the rotation in IU's 2-1 win against Louisville on Tuesday and is expected to continue to provide Indiana with a spark off the bench as they close out the Big Ten regular season.
After an 11-day whirlwind trip, Gutjahr said he's glad to be back.
"It was a bummer missing Indiana soccer," Gutjahr said. "I love it, so it's hard to miss two games, but I feel like it was an opportunity I didn't want to pass up."
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