By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Dec 30, 2011) US Soccer Players – If 2010 was considered a great year for the National Team because of its performance at the World Cup, then 2011 will go down as the year where American players shined individually. Just ask Jozy Altidore. The 22-year-old striker turned things around this fall after signing with Dutch club AZ Alkmaar, proving that he can be a deadly offensive weapon following a series of loan spells that saw Altidore get limited playing time with clubs in Spain, England and Turkey.
“It’s always tough to join a new team. For me, AZ has been a great place to learn and continue to play,” he said. “I think the Dutch league suits my style.”
Whether in Europe, Major League Soccer, or Mexico, American players showed they are some of the best when it comes to scoring goals and getting playing time. After all, soccer – unlike baseball and football – is a game where few statistics are used to measure the impact of a player on a game or season. Despite the development of new ways to assess players statistically, games played, starts and goals remain the only true barometer for measuring success.
When it comes to scoring, Americans based in Europe – in the top-tier and mid-level leagues (in addition to second divisions of England, Germany and the Netherlands) – have so far had a phenomenal 2011-12 season.
American players are succeeding in Europe, getting on the team sheet and the score sheet in numbers that have made this season stand out. Pushing the figure up is the increased number of attacking players who have signed with European clubs over the past few seasons. Many of those Americans are also getting more minutes because their clubs are involved in continental competitions such as the Europa League.
With several Americans potentially moving to Europe during the upcoming January transfer window, Landon Donovan's loan spell to Everton, and Stuart Holden's impending return to Bolton’s lineup after rehabbing a lengthy injury, Americans will get even more opportunities in the coming year.
Headlining this group is Clint Dempsey. Earlier this month, Dempsey, who has scored nine goals* this season in 24 games (all starts), became the American career scoring leader in the English Premier League after scoring the only goal in Fulham’s 1-0 victory over Liverpool. Dempsey broke a tie with Brian McBride, who had scored 37 times during his time with Everton and Fulham. The truth is that goalkeepers are no longer the US’s biggest export, particularly to the Premiership. Field players like Dempsey have made all the difference, paving the way for other Americans to sign with EPL clubs.
To the north, Carlos Bocanegra has made the quick transition from France's Ligue 1 to the Scottish Premier League look easy. A starter with Rangers almost from the day he signed, Bocanegra has had a standout season, joining Maurice Edu as first choice. Alejandro Bedoya's role as reliable substitute has also shown that American players aren't league or style specific.
Over in the Eredivisie, Altidore has enjoyed a rebirth, scoring nine goals in 26 games (in 22 starts). No longer sitting on the bench, Altidore has shown that he can score goals when regularly placed in the starting lineup. The success of both Dempsey and Altidore bodes well for the USA as we move into the World Cup qualification cycle.
“I definitely want to play better (next year),” Altidore said. “It really helps to start as many games possible and try and translate that to the National Team.”
At the same time, the Europa League has become a showcase tournament for Americans. The knockout round will feature five Americans and a matchup between Altidore and Sacha Kljestan's Anderlecht. The teams will meet on February 16th in the first leg and a week later in the return fixture. Also, Hannover 96 captain Steve Cherundolo will play against FC Brugge of Belgium, Oguchi Onyewu's Sporting Club will face Poland’s Legia Warsaw, and Jermaine Jones' Schalke will battle Czech side FC Viktoria Plzen.
On this side of the Atlantic, Americans made an impact in the Mexican League. Herculez Gomez once again showed that he can score in the Clausura and Apertura, and once again he did it with a new club. Gomez's Fall season run with U.A.G. ended with seven goals in 16 games. DaMarcus Beasley left Europe for Mexico, scoring twice in 16 appearances for Puebla.
MLS in 2011 saw the percentage of regular-season minutes played by Americans go up for the first time in eight seasons. The percentage of playing time for Americans rose to 55.8%, an increase from 55.1% in 2010. MLS figures show the San Jose Earthquakes fielded the most Americans for the second consecutive year. It's also worth mentioning that this was a season that saw the return of several high-profile Americans who had been previously based with foreign clubs such as Jay DeMerit, Charlie Davies, Freddy Adu, Kenny Cooper and Benny Feilhaber.
DC United, who like the Quakes missed the playoffs, came in second in playing Americans (from 11th overall in 2010) in coach Ben Olsen’s first full season on the sidelines. DC United benefited from the addition of Davies, who spearheaded the attack, and the infusion of young US-born players such as goalkeeper Bill Hamid and defender Perry Kitchen.
Even the Los Angeles Galaxy had 59 percent of Americans snagging playing time despite the likes of David Beckham and Robbie Keane in the starting lineup. In another surprise statistic, the Vancouver Whitecaps used more US players than Canadians, fielding Americans 48% of the time. The Whitecaps will become more American in 2012 following the addition of former US youth international Lee Nguyen.
It really was a happy 2011 for American players. Time will tell if 2012 will be just as productive.
*Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article credited Dempsey with eight goals.
Clemente Lisi is a New York-based writer. Contact him at: CAL4477@yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/ClementeLisi
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