USMNT: 2014-15 Is a Crucially Lost Season for Julian Green

Julian Green was loaned from Bayern Munich this past summer to Hamburg—who was tipped as a relegation candidate, despite its status as a traditional German powerhouse. Green started the 2014-15 season with optimism, but it will sadly end as a lost campaign.

Mirko Slomka was HSV's manager when the loan was approved. Green earned only one appearance under his old coach, before Slomka was sacked in September and replaced by Josef Zinnbauer.

Green could have featured more if it wasn't for his rib injury. This led to Jurgen Klinsmann dropping the attacker from October's U.S. men's national team squad.

However, even when Green returned from the injury, he's appeared in just three more games.

Green's lack of playing time led to speculation about a demotion from Hamburg's first team to the U23 squad, per Sport Bild (h/t Brian Sciaretta of The New York Times). The player eventually denied the rumours, as did HSV.

Green announced the news through his Facebook:

"

Hi everybody,

Just to make it clear: nobody from HSV has spoken to me at all. I read in the papers that apparently I’m now playing for the U23. HSV took me on on the third day of the season to reinforce the first team. This was and is my aim, and is the reason why I transferred. I’m a licensed player, I haven’t done anything wrong and I give all I’ve got in the training sessions. I always want to do my best to keep us in the league. If they let me play, I’ll shoot goals.

"

However, the reason Green didn't move to the U23 team was due to the player himself. The American international refused the demotion, per Stephan Uersfeld of ESPN FC.

All of these episodes sum up Green's season. It's been a frustrating year, but it's also worrisome. 

Young players need to earn competitive minutes. It appeared as if HSV was going to give Green that opportunity, but the club's unorganized front office hindered the young American and others.

Injuries didn't help, but at 19, Green needs to be consistently playing. It improves his development and aids the USMNT, because if he's in form, he'll be a much more effective player for the U.S.

Given his young age, it's speculation to predict his future. However, if he can't stay fit and struggles to make the bench of a relegation-threatened team in the Bundesliga, the reason lies elsewhere.

The answer may have been provided by Sport Bild, which was relayed by Phillip Quinn of SB Nation.

Bayern is apparently set to make more money from Green's loan due to a clause in the deal. Whenever the youngster doesn't play, the Bavarians earn more cash. 

Bild claims that the German champions received €150,000 from the loan, but are set to make close to €300,000 due to Green's lack of playing time.

Sadly for Green, the only thing he can do is continue to train and hope he can impress the coaching staff enough to get into matches. However, due to HSV's relegation battle, the American may not get the chance.

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

Bayern will most likely try to loan him out again this summer. It's a shame, because this year would have been perfect following his inclusion in the U.S. World Cup squad.

The best that Green can hope for is to secure another loan to a more stable club. As long as he earns first-team minutes, that's all that matters for him and U.S. fans.

One thing is certain. Green's contract with Bayern expires in 2017, so he needs to make an impression, or else he'll be looking for a new club in a couple of years.

Peter Galindo covers MLS and U.S. soccer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @GalindoPW.