Some things are worth waiting for. For Joe Scally and the family that has followed him from Long Island youth leagues to German professional football, June 19, 2026 was that day.
Scally, a 23-year-old defender born in Lake Grove, New York, entered the field during the United States Men’s National Team match against Australia in Seattle, becoming the first male player from Long Island to debut at a World Cup.
A long time coming
The milestone had a complicated road. Scally was named to the USMNT World Cup roster in 2022, which should have been his introduction to the tournament. Pandemic-related disruptions intervened, and he never saw the field that year.
Four years later, he got his moment, entering the Australia match in the 80th minute.
