Contrary to popular belief, the summer was longer than planned. That’s what it means to be eliminated early from a major tournament: you have to accept it for a little while. Fortunately, that period of absence is over, and the most prominent players on the U.S. men’s national team are about to return to action.
While some have already started around the globe, the main European leagues are scheduled to start this weekend. The key members of the USMNT are now back at the club level, from Italy to England and pretty much everywhere in between. With the World Cup less than two years away, there isn’t much time to spare.
Mauricio Pochettino, the USMNT’s new coach, is supposedly on his way there, but what will he observe? Stars can be found at all levels in Europe, so the Argentine will have enough to think about with his American roster in the future.
Whom ought he to be watching? Based on their expectations for the next campaign and their success from the previous season, GOAL ranks the top 10 Americans Abroad before of the European season.
Unfortunately, it appears that Weah might lose his best American teammate at Juventus. Still, what kind of part will he play this season personally?
Under his direction, Thiago Motta gives everyone at Juve a new beginning by bringing in fresh concepts and a fresh style. For Weah, who was in and out of the XI last year, that is encouraging news. An intriguing development is that Motta has been trying him out as a striker even though he was a right wingback.
The most important thing is that he plays this season, whether it’s down the middle or out wide.
Yunus Mohamed
There’s something wonderful below; it just requires a last adjustment. Yunus Musah is currently perched on the edge of a breakthrough.
Perhaps it falls under Fonseca this year. Last season, under Stefano Pioli, Musah demonstrated his potential as a premier midfield player. In the Champions League, he participated in important games, despite not often being a regular starter in La Liga.
About Musah, many uncertainties remain, most notably regarding his true role as a midfielder. Perhaps everything will work themselves out this season.
Folarin Balogun
The first season he spent at Monaco did not go as planned. This season, he only managed seven goals and five assists, falling short of the heights he attained in his single season at Reims.
But Folarin Balogun was one player who, following the Copa America, could walk away with his head held high. The only other player who really stood out for the USMNT was him.
Will his confidence be greatly impacted by that? That’s what the USMNT hopes. This summer, Balogun demonstrated his ability to play like a top striker; all he needs to do now is bring that to Monaco.
Tillman Malik
Mark Tillman’s nine goals and ten assists in the league during the previous season won him a permanent transfer to PSV. The major reason American fans should watch the Eredivisie is Tillman, especially with Sergino Dest sidelined and Ricardo Pepi still playing a supporting role.
He’s also a very excellent justification. In a league designed for forwards, the youthful midfielder began to find his feet last season, so this campaign might be even more enjoyable. Not only for Tillman but also for the club, PSV has great hopes after their successful season last year.
Josh Sargent
The previous season, Josh Sargent dominated the Championship. The Norwich star might just succeed again if he can maintain his health this time.
If not for injury concerns, the American forward would have finished the previous season with 16 goals in just 26 games, which would have maintained him on a Golden Boot-level pace. Goals matter in that contest, even though he is far behind on the USMNT striker depth chart. Who knows what will happen to the club and the country if Sargent scores?
Cardoso Johnny
The entire world is currently observing. Everyone is curious to know if Johnny Cardoso is who he claims to be.
Last season for Real Betis, he certainly appeared like it, making an almost instant impact. Soon after, there were murmurs about Barcelona, which showed how quickly Cardoso’s reputation had grown. Although Cardoso still has a ways to go on the USMNT depth chart, this could be his breakthrough year with the new coach in place.
Chris Richards
Chris Richards began to make a name for himself in the Premier League last season, which suggests that this will be a significant season for him.
The USMNT will be keenly monitoring his progress with Crystal Palace. It will be interesting to see what kind of leap he takes. Because Richards is so crucial to the USMNT’s future, it’s critical to follow his defense development this season.
Pulisic, Christian
The player at the top of this ranking at the beginning of the season is without a doubt. After all, he is entering his sophomore season at Milan having just finished his greatest stretch of play.
The previous season, Christian Pulisic had the best individual campaign of his career. It’s hoped he’ll improve on it under new coach Paulo Fonseca, especially if Fonseca decides to utilize him as a No. 10. Pulisic might have a huge season in goals and assists if he continues to play centrally, as it did during the preseason.