American Lacktion Report

Look, it's great to watch various leagues all over Europe and see Americans all over the place (the Danes LOVE US), and especially in the past couple of weeks, where you've seen people like Dempsey start getting respect abroad, as he was mentioned in almost every game report of the Manchester United match. When Freidel was sent off against Liverpool, who was there to get his premier league debut (by having to face a Stevie G penalty)? None other than American no.2 Brad Guzan! And lest we forget the impact Tim Howard has had on getting Everton their inevitable fifth spot for the end of the campaign. Go over to the Fatherland, and you'll see Michael Bradley is tearing shit up again! A recent brace is sure to get you accolades, and hopefully he'll start becoming a regular in the squad. Go over to defense, and you'll see our national team tandem of Bocanegra and Onyewu being stalwarts in both the Rennes and Standard Liege defenses in France and Belgium respectively.

However, while that's all well and good, I just listed three goalkeepers, our best offensive player not named Landon Donovan, two defenders and a player who, at the end of the day, was still only scoring goals 4 and 5. Americans still have a lot to deal with abroad, experiencing a type of culture shock other Europeans can't fully relate to, and lest we forget that Americans are derided abroad, and while a player who tore up the Swiss league gets his starts automatically, coming from a sublime season in the MLS means nothing abroad, no matter how much quality that league continues to accumulate. So, lets go over some players who just aren't getting their fair shakes.

Jozy Altidore He is the youngest player who is a regular on the national team, and I think he won't be on this list next year. Villareal, a team with true ambitions, really just didn't have the space to accommodate a young player who needs to develop, and I can't really blame them for loaning him out. What must be driving them mad is how infrequently he plays for Xerez! He has three appearances! Rumors are circulating that he may to transferred to another Segunda outfit, and it's good to see how highly rated he is. As I stated, I feel like this is the type of growing pains that accompanies all but the very best until they can eventually establish themselves on a club.

Freddy Adu I can't say I'm entirely shocked that Freddy Adu is having such trouble establishing himself on Monaco. To be honest, I consider Monaco to be a better team than Benfica, so if he isn't making it onto Benfica, why would he make it onto Monaco? Clearly, they wanted him and took him on loan, but he isn't even dressing for the team consistently, and has one appearance! So I'm not sure what their motive was, considering this is a loan, but if Benfica wants anything out of him in the future, they'll be sure to recall his loan in May.

Sal Zizzo Sal Zizzo has a soft spot for me, considering Colin and I were watching the U20 World Cup in FoxBoro in Naples all summer before Freshman year, and we kept screaming about how sick this kid seemed like he would be. Great pace, great technique and has those type of slicing runs that you love in wingers. Yet, his playing time is minimal at Hannover 96 (and by minimal I mean nonexistant) that he isn't even listed on the SoccerNet squad page! He is just trying to work his way up on reserves, and while he is really young, I think he'd be better served playing for a lower quality outfit to get some regular playing time.

Benny Feilhaber; Michael Parkhurst Two Americans that are starting to finally establish themselves in...Denmark. Look, I'm not trying to deride the league, but is it of that much higher quality than MLS? I'm quite skeptical. Feilhaber was hurt all year and is finally working his way into the club, and Parkhurst is finally get first team action, and it's paying off. I just would rather see these guys try and go for the Coca-Cola than Denmark, as I just think it's a more fruitful road.

Maurice Edu I'm never going to be a fan of Americans playing for Rangers, but if they must, at least can they play?! At the very least, they're letting him dress now, but Maurice is still on only 5 appearances for the year.

Gabriel Ferrari Granted, he's on loan from Serie A side Sampdoria, but if you're in Serie C1, and you have two appearances, uh...that's not good.

Eddie Johnson He recently got his first goal in English action in over a year, but he's on loan in the Championship, and has 7 appearances and 1 goal. Look, I'm always going to support him as a fellow American, but I've never been that high on Johnson. I've always felt that his effectiveness in MLS and CONCACAF qualifiers (except Mexico) came from his natural athleticism and that he wasn't particularly skilled. And to be honest, I feel like his time in England has validated all of this. When his natural athleticism doesn't give him the same advantages it does in America (a much more direct league), he's completely ineffective. He has never shone against quality competition, international or club, and I really just don't think he has the talent to do so. I wish him the best, but that's just how I see it.