[MAKING A LIST] Neven Subotic, an 18-year-old defender who represented the USA at the 2005 U-17 World Cup, became the youngest American to play in the German Bundesliga when he debuted for Mainz last weekend in a 5-2 loss to Bayern Munich. Subotic, a native of Bosnia, was discovered by the U.S. U-17 coaching staff playing pickup soccer in Bradenton, Fla. The youngest previous Bundesliga debut by an American came from Jovan Kirovski (age 20 in 1996 for Borussia Dortmund). Subotic's appearance against Bayern came with Mainz already doomed to relegation to the Second Division for the 2007-08 season. He was one of six Americans to see German First Division action this season.

In his debut, Subotic played the full 90 in central defense and was punished for a 60th minute mistake; it led to a goal by Claudio Pizarro. Subotic had been playing for Mainz's youth team and fourth division squad.

AMERICANS IN GERMAN FIRST DIVISION (2006-07)
Player (age) club games/goals
Steve Cherundolo (28) Hannover 96 33/2
Kasey Keller (37) Borussia M'Gladbach 28/0
Benny Feilhaber (22) Hamburg SV 9/0
Kamani Hill (21) Wolfsburg 9/0
Conor Casey (25) Mainz 05 2/0
Neven Subotic (19) Mainz 05 1/0