Tolkin’s Journey: Finding Home and Success in Germany

Throughout 2025, Tolkin has experienced a whirlwind of changes. Shortly after joining the US Men’s National Team (USMNT) for January camp, he made a significant move to Europe, transferring from the New York Red Bulls to Holstein Kiel in Germany. Although he couldn’t prevent his new club from facing relegation, he received a late call-up to the USMNT’s Gold Cup squad. Following the tournament, he returned to Kiel for preseason preparations, taking a mere four days off to recharge.

“It was challenging,” he reflects. “But that’s part of the job, right? I play soccer for a living, after all.”

His quick return to Kiel proved beneficial, enabling him to initiate the crucial process of making Germany feel like home. “It’s going well now,” he states. “I met a neighbor who is a Kiel fan, and he and his wife were very welcoming. I’ve also joined a golf club with my teammates, and I must admit, I’ve been a standout on the course. That has been quite enjoyable.”

In the past few months, these simple pleasures have helped Kiel start to feel like home. While it is a city of approximately 250,000 people, it pales in comparison to the bustling New York and New Jersey metropolitan area where he was raised and developed his skills in Major League Soccer (MLS). Now that he’s settled in, Tolkin has embraced his new environment.

However, that acceptance was not guaranteed. Following the club’s relegation, transfer rumors circulated, raising serious questions about his future. Yet, in the end, Tolkin chose to stay, allowing him to continue both his personal journey and that of the club.

“I was a bit frazzled earlier this week,” he shares with a chuckle. “I mentioned flying back to New Jersey after camp, and everyone was surprised. I actually meant Kiel. I guess it does feel like home now. Naturally, it took a few months to adjust.”

Tolkin’s family plans to visit from New Jersey for Thanksgiving, and he notes that spending more time with his teammates—who he describes as a tight-knit group with ‘a lot of great guys’—has facilitated his adjustment.

What matters most now is translating this off-field comfort into on-field performance. Kiel has struggled to gain momentum, finding themselves closer to the relegation zone than the promotion race. However, Tolkin’s individual contributions have shone brightly in his first full season in Germany.

Last season, he was thrust into the deep end when he joined a club facing its initial and only year in the Bundesliga, where survival proved tough, resulting in a 17th-place finish.

“Last year, many teams had more possession than us, and we relied heavily on counterattacking,” Tolkin explains. “This season, especially at home, we’ve had more of the ball, which I enjoy. More possession leads to fluid play. Teams respect us now as we come from the first division, which is both a blessing and a challenge, but the increased possession and control have been beneficial.”

Tolkin has capitalized on this opportunity, scoring his first goal of the season on August 17 during a DFB-Pokal victory over Homburg, followed by another against Greuther Fürth the following week. He also provided assists against Hannover and Karlsruher, while defensively, he ranks fifth in the 2. Bundesliga for interceptions.

Although the 2. Bundesliga may be classified as a second division, it offers a distinct environment filled with passion and intensity that often surpasses that of the Bundesliga.

“It’s a grind, honestly. It feels like a battle,” he admits. “The technical skill may differ from the first division, but the intensity and commitment from players are on another level.”

He recalls a recent match against Schalke, one of Germany’s most storied clubs. “When we went there, it felt surreal for a second division match. The fans, the stadiums, the atmospheres—they rival those found in the first division.”

The demands of the 2. Bundesliga have also prepared Tolkin for a return to the USMNT. He was called back into the squad in November and seized a significant opportunity during one of the final pre-World Cup camps, delivering his best performance yet.

Though the match against Uruguay, which ended in a 5-1 victory for the USMNT, may have overshadowed individual performances, Tolkin excelled in his role as left wingback. He played 75 minutes, completing 17 of 20 passes, drawing two fouls, creating a chance, and delivering two crosses into the final third. Defensively, he made two interceptions, a tackle, and several clearances, notably without being dribbled past.

As he continues to develop, Tolkin acknowledges that the USMNT is also evolving. He credits the Gold Cup as a turning point, where the team rediscovered its competitive edge.

“The squad demonstrated that we care and want to win,” he remarks. “It may not always be pretty, but the passion is evident.”

The team showcased this spirit in a recent match against Paraguay, featuring a late altercation that players viewed as a positive indicator of their tenacity.

“Many teams globally use that energy to their advantage, so being able to level the playing field is essential,” he states. “I’m not advocating for real fights, but if you need to defend yourself, I fully support that.”

A new competition is beginning within the USMNT, and Tolkin is fully engaged in the midst of it. With the World Cup approaching, he sits on the fringes of the USMNT picture. Although he hasn’t consistently started—three of his four Gold Cup appearances were as a substitute—his performance against Uruguay served as a timely reminder of his worth. Whether a fruitful run with Kiel can keep him in the mix remains to be seen.

“It’s close, but it’s still six months away. There’s a lot of time, and you can’t dwell on it too much,” he says. “While it may linger in the back of your mind, focusing on daily performance is crucial. You can’t reach the end without attending to the journey.”

For now, his primary focus is aiding Kiel in their climb up the standings.

“The team may be a bit inexperienced, but we’re eager,” he asserts. “We have numerous quality players, and I believe we will make a serious push in the second half of the season. Personally, while my performance has been acceptable, I know we need to score more goals. If I can contribute to that, even better.”

The path ahead is clear: remain dedicated, train diligently, and let the results speak for themselves. Although this phase may feel somewhat mundane for now—at least until everything accelerates—Tolkin is appreciating this rare period of calm while contemplating what the future may hold.