Andrija Novakovich has been training with the Reading first team ahead of the new Championship season that kicks off next month. The 18-year-old is coming off a successful season spent mainly with the U-18 and U-21 sides, but that saw him make his debut with the senior team in mid-March. He played 13 total minutes in two substitute appearances and though he is likely not to be a regular for Reading this season, he could see some time in a depth role, especially if injuries deplete the Royals roster.
Novakovich scored the game-winner and lone goal in a very unofficial friendly against an English semi-professional team over the weekend. He followed that up by earning a spot on the 25-man roster alongside fellow American Danny Williams that made the trip to Thailand this week for Reading’s Far East Tour.
This morning they faced off against a Thailand All-Stars team and earned a 2-2 draw. Williams started and played the first half while getting a couple good looks on goal. Novakovich came on as a substitute in the 86th minute and finished out the end of the match.
Reading is not in action again until July 21 when they are back in England to face newly-promoted League Two side Bristol Rovers in an away friendly. They are set to open the Championship season a month from now on August 8 when they are away to Birmingham City. It will be telling if Novakovich is in the opening day 18-man squad for Reading, but no matter his involvement with the first team this season expect him to be involved with the U-20 national team over the next year.
Other news from England surrounds West London side Fulham where 17-year-old Luca de la Torre has been offered a professional contract with the club. De la Torre, who turned 17 at the end of May, spent most of last season with the U-18 squad, but eventually earned playing time with the U-21 team as the year progressed. He is expected to begin the season with the U-21 development side and will likely spend the season with them.
In addition, Emerson Hyndman returned to training this week after captaining the US squad at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Hyndman did not make an appearance for the first team after the New Year last season after making nine starts before Boxing Day, but with another new manager he will get a fresh chance to impress after a busy summer break.
The Yanks Watch 
Can’t say I expect novakovich with the u20s next cycle. He’s not eligible.
Not for the World Cup, no. But he’s a tweener. Not quite old enough and good enough for U-23s or USMNT, but they’ll want to keep him involved in the national team setup, so I could certainly see him getting call ups over the next 12-18 months before they drill down to their World Cup squad.