US soccer fans mouth water when they think of a midfield that features Christian Pulisic, Giovanni Reyna, Tyler Adams, and Weston McKennie on it. For the first time in a while, the US men’s national team has a backbone of young and dynamic American players playing in the best leagues and teams in the world. A world of difference from the Jürgen Klinsmann era where it seemed that any American player that could ply their trade in Europe were returning to MLS and those who were overseas were underwhelming, to say the least.
When you throw in established names like John Brooks, Julian Green, Tim Ream, and Zack Steffen the US team seems to steadily be gaining in players experienced at playing at the highest level. Something many pundits have been calling for, especially considering the US team did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup and missed one of the nation's biggest opportunities to grow the sport domestically.
This article will review those US players who have taken the right steps in their careers in Europe. Some players might be at different stages in their careers, mostly young up and coming, but each step in the right direction is a step in the right direction for the United States national team. All of these players will feature at some point in the qualification process so it is important to keep in mind that some players have a whole career ahead of them, while others have what’s coming and need to capitalize on it. What is important to note is that all of these players have hit milestones for Americans in Europe.
Tim Ream
Tim Ream has been abroad for several years now moving from the New York Red Bulls to Bolton Wanderers back in 2012. Since 2015 he has been at Fulham and has spent most of his time there in the Championship, save for one season in the Premier League where Fulham was quickly relegated. Come 2020 Ream helped Fulham earn promotion back to the EPL and at 32 with all his experience Ream will look to play at the highest level and earn a place in the United States team which has been on again off again for him.
Julian Green
Julian Green came out of left field back in 2014. He was at Bayern Munich and made a huge splash in the 2014 World Cup scoring a goal against Belgium in the USA’s 2-1 round of 16 defeat in Brazil. Since then Green’s career took a wrong turn going from future promise to 2. Bundesliga player. Well, it has been at the 2. Bundesliga and at Greuther Fürth Green’s career has had a revival with two very solid seasons where he scored 8 goals in 51 games. His play has fans of the US calling for him to get another chance with the US national team. Dubbed by many a Klinsmann project Gregg Berhalter has been hesitant to give him another look but his play at the club level may leave the national team coach no choice. Green has proven a very good utility player for the US when called upon.
Chris Richards
Chris Richards made his Bayern Munich debut on June 20, 2020, in a 3–1 victory against Freiburg, becoming the first American to play for the German giants. At 20 Richards will most likely have a difficult time earning playing time in an already stacked Bayern squad but if he can get promising first-team minutes Richards will finally be able to solve the long-lasting question if the US national team can produce a world-class defender. Richards has been in the Bayern youth system since 2018 and coaches are very high on him. He will have to put in the work but getting playing time is key and he ended the season doing just that.
Konrad de la Fuente
Konrad de la Fuente has been on the fan's radar for quite some time now. It’s hard not to, how often does an American soccer player have the chance to play for Barcelona? While Konrad has yet to make his first-team debut he has been in match squads during the end of the La Liga season as well as being on the Champions League roster, becoming the first American to ever be named on a Barcelona squad. With Barcelona going through a transitional period it might be a good spot for de la Fuente to finally crack some playing time at Barcelona.
Giovanni Reyna
Giovanni Reyna on the other hand is yet another youth project that Borussia Dortmund has undertaken. Gio Reyna has featured in 15 games for Dortmund in his debut season and surprised many with his passing ability and patience on the ball. The son of former US national team star Claudio Reyna, Giovanni has the red, white, and blue tattooed in his blood. Playing meaningful minutes like he did this season and scoring two goals already in preseason will put him in a good sport to truly claim his place in the starting 11 at Dortmund next season.
Weston McKennie
Weston McKennie has established himself as a very solid player for Schalke 04. After four seasons and 75 games and 4 goals, McKennie’s good play has left him at a crossroads. Continue playing for a struggling Schalke side, one in which he was the only player to score for the team consistently for a stretch of games this season, or make a move and get out of his comfort zone. He has various suitors in Germany, England, and France. Like many American’s who make moves, he will need to find the right fit as he will command a hefty transfer for an American player.
Tyler Adams
Tyler Adams became the second American to ever play a Champions League semi-final, the first being DaMarcus Beasley when he was at PSV. Adams's talent comes with no question he has been one of RB Leipzig's best players when healthy. That has been the key, he has found himself in and out of the lineup due to minor injuries he has yet to play a full season healthy. Scoring goals in clutch Champions League games will keep him in the conversation. He needs to stay healthy and get a full season under his belt.
Christian Pulisic
Christian Pulisic needs no introduction. He has had a stellar first season at Chelsea. Like Adams, he had some nagging injuries but he hit many milestones while at the club: He became the first American to score in the FA Cup final as well as scoring the most Premier League goals for a 20-year-old in one season. He is also the youngest player at Chelsea to ever score a hat-trick. So despite being benched in the early going of the season Pulisic has proven his worth. It’s safe to assume he will be the centerpiece of the US national team's hopes come CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying.
