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Gooch overcomes Sunderland freefall to earn USMNT return

The 22-year-old midfielder is back in the mix with the U.S. national team despite his club enduring relegation for the second straight season

PHILADELPHIA — Though it may seem like a lifetime ago, it was just 22 months ago when Lynden Gooch was realizing his dream of playing in the Premier League. The Sunderland midfielder earned the start against Manchester City in the 2016 season opener, and went on to receive five more starts, all at the age of 20.

Less than two years later, Sunderland has endured its second straight relegation, dooming the Black Cats to League One next season after finishing dead last in the League Championship.