Why Julian Green Will Be a Big Hit at Bundesliga Side Hamburg

Julian Green first caught our attention in the months leading up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup as an emerging prospect with Bayern Munich and the United States men's national team. 

Many thought that after scoring in Brazil against Belgium in the round of 16, Green would have an impressive club campaign. 

Themba Hadebe/Associated Press

That has not been the case yet for the 19-year-old, who is on loan at Hamburg from Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. Since the beginning of the German season, Green has made five appearances for the 16th-place side. 

While many would consider his loan spell at Hamburg a failure at the moment, there is still time for Green to be a big hit at the Bundesliga club before he returns to Bayern Munich. 

One of the issues forcing Green out of the lineup throughout the first half of the season was an injury bug he caught early in the campaign. The USMNT player suffered from a lingering rib injury that kept him from being 100 percent in training, which led to his lack of selection.

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Heading into the second half of the season, Green is 100 percent fit and ready to fight for a spot in the team during the relegation battle. 

"I trained with the team but I wasn't 100 percent because the pain was still there," Green told ESPN's Jeff Carlisle in a recent interview. "I didn't have my rhythm because one day it was better and then another day it was much worse. It was a hard time."

Hamburg's fight for survival could be exactly what turns Green's spell into a memorable one. We have seen plenty of unlikely heroes step up in the waning months of a league campaign to keep a top-flight side from dropping down to the second division.

Green has the pace and youthful energy to inspire Hamburg and take them clear of the relegation zone before they get sucked too far down the table. 

Markus Schreiber/Associated Press

After spending six months with the club, Green should be aware of the tendencies of his teammates. If he plays that to his advantage, he could adjust the way he trains to help the squad instead of just him as an individual. 

Another factor that should drive the 19-year-old further is the arrival of Ivica Olic from Wolfsburg. Although he does not play the same position, Olic does provide more competition for the attacking spaces in the starting 11. 

Instead of burying his head about the new arrival affecting his game, Green should use it as motivation to get better and earn playing time. 

By having an experienced forward in Olic in camp, Green has a chance to pick up a few new tricks in attack as well. 

Another key attribute that could play into his potential success at Hamburg is his experience training with the USMNT in preparation for the World Cup while in Brazil. 

If he was attentive during his time with the USMNT, Green would have noticed how the U.S. attacking stars fought for places in the first team. He would have witnessed the same at Bayern Munich as well.

That small bit of professional experience with some of the world's best players should give Green an advantage in his fight for a spot in the Hamburg first team. 

There is no guarantee that Green will be a consistent starter at the club during the relegation battle, but he could always be the much-needed spark off the bench late in games like he was in the Belgium match at the World Cup.

Regardless of what role he plays over the next few months, Green has the skill set and experience to help Hamburg survive the relegation struggle and head back to Bayern Munich with plenty of confidence. 

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.