Top Five Fridays: American Footballers For England

This is my regular feature called Top Five Fridays. Here I'll list some of my favorite things like, Top 5 Ways to Annoy a Michigan Fan or Top 5 Most Overrated Athletes (cough cough, Brett Favre, cough cough)..... Have no fear, we'll get to both those topics in good time. At the end there will also be a section for those that just missed the cut.

The United States Men's National Soccer Team is in the midst of a fairly daunting three game stretch of exhibition matches. In the first match on Wednesday, the Yanks got beat 2-0 in London's Wembley Stadium by England. In a lot of ways, I thought the boys could be ready to play a match of that caliber, but they looked sluggish, unmotivated and frankly, just outclassed for the clear majority of the match. Next week, they will play in Santader against Spain and are likely to get a similar result. They will finish up the tour in East Rutherford, New Jersey against Argentina on Sunday, June 8. You can expect much of the same.

All things considered, I'm glad we're playing these matches. Under the old coach, Bruce Arena, we littered our "friendly" schedule with the likes of Trinidad & Tobago, Costa Rica, Honduras and other CONCACAF opponents that we were used to mopping the floor with in World Cup Qualifying matches. If we did play a European team it was often Sweden, Switzerland, Scotland, Poland, or another team that may or may not have been having a good run of play. What's the sense in playing teams that you know you can beat? Sure, confidence breads success. But the experience of losing these three games will give the boys a challenge and teach them a few things in the process. We often learn more from the mistakes we make and there are sure to be plenty of those in the next two matches just as there were against England. Too bad Landycakes was hurt, he could certainly use some toughening up more than most of the guys.

On with the Top 5. There was an article on soccernet.com the other day leading up to Wednesday's beating about American players that could start for England. Strangely enough, the article was nowhere to be found when I looked for it today (note: sarcasm.) I honestly believe that there are at least three, but the problem is that they all play the same position; goalkeeper. Tim Howard, Kasey Keller, and Brad Friedel. And not necessarily in that order. So that realistically leaves us with one. I mean, just look at the line-up the Three Lions trotted onto the pitch the other day:

GK David James (Portsmouth)
D Ashley Cole (Chelsea)
D Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United)
D John Terry (Chelsea) - captain
D Wes Brown (Manchester United)
M Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United)
M Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
M Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
M David Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy)
F Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
F Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth)

That's sick. That's so sick, it's ill. No American is better than any of those field players. All of that will finally bring me to the topic for this post, and this question: Of all the players that have come through the United States National Team player pool, who most likely have a shot at making the roster for England? Keep in mind, this isn't necessarily a list of the "best" American players. This isn't even a list of guys who have the potential to land them a spot it in the future. And I'm certainly not saying, by any means, that these guys would get called up. I'm just talking about right now, what Americans are most likely to receive consideration by Fabio Capello for spot on the roster for a World Cup match if it were to take place today? With that, I give you the.....

Top 5 American Soccer Players That Might Make England's Roster

1. Tim Howard (Goalkeeper - Everton)
After appearing in over 80 matches for the MetroStars (now the New York Red Bulls,) Timmy got a shot to play in England when Manchester United came calling in 2003. At the time, the Red Devils were weak in the net and Howard quickly stepped in and became the starter one of the richest clubs in the world. He had three up and down seasons at Old Trafford, being named to the Best XI in his first season, but losing and regaining his starting job a couple of times in the two subsequent seasons.

His unconvincing form and the releasing of his two competitors led to Sir Alex Ferguson bringing in the Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, a move that I can't in good conscious disagree with. Either way, Howard spouted off to the media and was immediately transferred to Everton, where he has played for the past two seasons. Everton finished fifth in the Premier League this past season and has spent more seasons in the top division in England than any other club. They also have the fourth most top division champions (9) of any team behind Liverpool (18,) Manchester United (17,) and Arsenal (13.)

Once settled at Everton, he regained his form and has impressed even the harshest of American soccer critics. His size and athleticism are unquestioned, but some think his talents are still a little raw. I agree with them. He has some things that he could learn from the other two goalkeepers on this list in terms of positioning and game management, but he gets the nod in the number one spot because he would get the number spot for the American roster right now.

2. Brian McBride (Forward - No Club)
McBride came home from a brief stint in Germany to help launch MLS with the Columbus Crew. His career in soccer began with a brilliant career at Buffalo Grove High School in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago and then as a two time All-American for St. Louis University, a hotbed for star American players. He played nine seasons for the Crew, scoring 62 goals for them, and was twice loaned out to EPL teams (Preston North End and Everton.) For the last four and a half seasons, he's been plying his trade with Fulham. After coming back from a major knee injury and helping Fulham avoid relegation, he decided to come home to the United States and rumor has it that he might sign with the Chicago Fire. Correction: his wife decided. It has long been known that she was unhappy in England and wanted to be back in Chicago where both of their families live. Can't say I blame her, I love this town.

McBride is a veteran of three World Cup's, scoring the only U.S. goal in the 1998 tournament in France during a 2-1 loss to Iran. He was the best American forward again in 2002 while scoring in the opening match victory over Portugal and again in the Round of 16 triumph over Mexico. He is a tall, physical presence and has always played the role of the target forward because of his ability to win the ball in the air. Although he retired from the international game in 2006, I believe he is still the best forward the United States has to offer. I also believe that, given the style of the English game, he would be the best choice to go alongside either Wayne Rooney or Michael Owen in the top of their lineup. If he has the ability to put as many balls in the net as he has when receiving service from crappy MLS players and Fulham's lackluster midfield, imagine the numbers he would put up with Beckham, Lampard, and Gerrard sending the ball into the mixer? Scary.

3. Brad Friedel (Goalkeeper - Blackburn Rovers)
A native of Cleveland, Ohio and Bay Village High School, Friedel also retired from National Team duty already (2005.) His club career began with two brief loan stints in England and Denmark and then two seasons with fabled club Galatasaray SK in the Turkish Süper Lig. He returned to the United States from Galatasaray to help launch MLS with his home state Columbus Crew. After just one and a half seasons and a MLS Best XI nod, Friedel left for England the nano-second the EPL came calling. Three rocky seasons with Liverpool, he transferred to Blackburn Rovers and has been a lock in the starting lineup ever since.

A veteran of three World Cup's, he battled Kasey Keller for the first team net duties and almost always won. His superior positioning and knowledge of the game, along with a tremendously powerful and accurate leg, have always been his strong points. He has been named the top goalkeeper in the Premier League at the end of the 2002-2003 season. If it weren't for his age and Howard's athleticism, I'd have put him in the number one spot. For me, he's still the top American goalie. Hell, this guy even has an English accent.

4. Kasey Keller (Goalkeeper - Fulham)
Keller may have actually been the most consistent goalkeeper the United States has ever had. One of just two American players to participate in four World Cup Finals events, he would have been alone with five had Bora Milutinovic hadn’t ignored him for the 1994 tournament here on his home soil. He’s played in 102 international matches, but it would be many more than that had his career not perfectly, or imperfectly as the case may be, overlapped with the brilliant careers of Tony Meola, Brad Friedel and Tim Howard.

On the club side, Keller has bounced around England, Spain and Germany over the years, getting the chance to start for clubs such as Borussia Mönchengladbach, Tottenham Hotspur, and most recently Fulham. Not too shabby. Solid athleticism and positioning, he is currently one of the top goalkeepers in the EPL and helped Fulham avoid relegation alongside fellow Americans Brian McBride, Carlos Bocanegra and Clint Dempsey. He would have to be considered an option along with Howard to be one of the three best choices in net for England, if he were, in fact, English.

5. DeMarcus Beasley (Midfielder – Glasgow Rangers)
There are several players that I considered for the fifth spot, but when it came down to it, I remembered reading a bunch of quotes from managers in the EPL all talking about how dangerous of a player Beasley can be. DeMarcus is from Fort Wayne, Indiana and before finishing high school moved to the U.S. Residency program in Bradenton, Florida. He made an immediate impact when he joined the Chicago Fire in MLS and after several successful seasons he was shipped off via a $2.5 million transfer to PSV Eindhoven in the top Dutch league. After becoming a starter for the top club in Holland, he became a key player in PSV Eindhoven’s run to the UEFA Champion’s League semi-final. He became the first American to get that far in the tournament and scored four goals in his twelve matches.

He played a little over two seasons in Holland before injuries forced a run a bad form and he was loaned out to Manchester City during his third season. When he regained his form, PSV Eindhoven brought him back, but at season’s end he was transferred to Rangers in the Scottish Premier League. During this past season he has injured again during a Champion’s League match and missed most of the year, but returned in time to help Rangers to a championship in the Scottish Cup.

As the international level he has earned 69 caps and has scored 15 goals and when healthy he has become a lock at the left midfield position for the United States. Only 5’8” and about 150 pounds soaking wet, he’s actually smaller than me, but he is an absolute terror because of his speed and tenacity. His blazing speed and left footed crosses would likely earn him a spot off the bench as a late sub for England, but his lack of size and defensive presence would keep him from getting regular minutes.


“Juuuuust a bit outside. He tried the corner and missed.”

Eddie Lewis (Midfielder, Derby County) – If not for a career riddled with injuries, non-soccer fans may have actually heard of Eddie Lewis. Probably one of the more complete skill sets of any American non-goalkeeper, he just never was able to reach his full potential.
Landon Donovan (Midfielder, Los Angeles Galaxy) – The next he steps on the pitch he’ll become the fourth youngest player to ever reach 100 caps for any country in the world, but his perceived lack of heart, guts and physical play has earned him the nickname “Landycakes” among U.S. soccer faithful and many don’t believe he is the answer he once was thought to be for American soccer.
Steve Cherundolo (Defender, Hannover 96) – Not the best defender in the U.S. camp, but perhaps the most complete, he has come along way over the past several seasons and earned nearly 50 caps. As an outside back he is competitive and a good man-marker and has shown the ability to go forward and get involved in the attack.
Clint Dempsey (Midfielder, Fulham) – Give Clint’s heart and physical style of play to Donovan and we might have had ourselves a true footballer. All that aside, Dempsey is just not quite good enough to take on a forward’s responsibility at the international level and would need to better himself defensively enough to make it as a midfielder.