US Soccer Players Make Big Moves During Transfer Window
The January transfer window was an active one, especially for members of the United States Menโs National Team.
Some big names made big splashes in the market, and many made moves in search of more playing time. Michael Bradleyโs loan to Aston Villa was the most publicized of any change of teams for Americans, but Freddy Adu has also found another new team to try and break into.
Then there are the unlucky Americans, the ones who needed a change, or were rumored to switch teams, but nothing panned out for them.
Hereโs a look at the pros and cons of the biggest American moves (and non-moves) that went down during the transfer window.
Jonathan Bornstein: to UANL Tigres, leaving Chivas USA
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Pros
The Mexican league is slightly better than MLS. The teams are deeper and the rosters arenโt as restrictive as those in America. Playing against some tough competition should definitely help the left back.
It also helps that he gets experience playing in Mexico, a place the USMNT has a lot of trouble winning.
Cons
Mexico isnโt that much of an improvement over the United States. For a guy who started a number of games for the USMNT in World Cup Qualifying, the Confederations Cup and the World Cup, the move isnโt one that gets a lot of peopleโs attention.
You wonder: How little did he showcase himself?
Verdict
Bornstein had done everything he was going to with Chivas, and Tigres is better than some other suitors heโs had (e.g. Maccabi Tel-Aviv). He isnโt moving to a bad league by any means, and just changing scenery will re-energize him and make him compete just a bit more.
Eddie Johnson: to Preston North End via Fulham (loan)
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Pros
Like a lot of guys on this list, playing time was a big reason for Johnson's move. Heโs played in 11 games for Fulham this year, 10 of them as a sub. That number is three more than the amount of games he had previously played for the team since joining them in 2008.
Heโs done alright for Fulham in the limited action heโs gotten this season and hopefully he can ride a little bit of momentum to Preston.
Cons
He just hasnโt had any luck in Europe. Heโs bounced around a lot, not ready to become a full-time member for Fulham and not good enough that any of the teams that heโs been loaned out to have wanted to keep him.
He did OK in Cardiff City, playing in 30 league games (25 as a sub), scoring two goals and adding four assists. Those numbers arenโt great though. He just hasnโt been able to really catch on anywhere.
Verdict
Johnson burst onto the USMNT in 2005, scoring four goals in his first two appearances, but things have gone incredibly slowly for him since, mostly because of his unsettled club situation. Who knows if heโll ever get on the fieldโlet alone scoreโwith any regularity, but Preston doesnโt seem like a bad place to try.
Kenny Cooper: to Portland Timbers, leaving 1860 Munich
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Pros
Since arriving at Munich in 2009, Cooper made only 15 total appearances for the club across all competitions, and he got on the field only seven times as a substitute when he was loaned to Plymouth Argyle. Over those 22 games, he scored only three times.
In MLS, he will not only be playing regularly once again, but he returns to the league where he was once one of the hottest scorers. In 90 league appearances with FC Dallas, he scored 40 goals, including 25 goals in his final 45 games.
Cons
Cooper will be coming back to the States with much less confidence than when he left. Every situation is different, and Cooperโs trek to Germany didnโt go over well.
It happens.
But athletes have a sense of pride in their abilities, and Cooper will be coming back having been served a bit of humility.
Verdict
Cooper made a good move to come back to MLS. At one point, fans were clamoring for him to get a call-up to the National Team, but now they seem to have moved on. Itโs time for Cooper to get back on track, and he will get that opportunity in Portland.
Edson Buddle: to FC Ingolstadt, leaving Los Angeles Galaxy
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Pros
His paycheck is much bigger now. Going from the salary cap-hindered MLS, to the free-spending scene in Europe, Buddle will earn much more for his services.
Also, Ingolstadt is a club struggling mightily on the offensive end of the field, so if he can keep up the scoring pace he had with the Galaxy in 2010, the team will need him on the field.
Cons
The German Bundesliga 2 is not in any way better competition than MLS. Itโs actually a step below.
Not only is the league not as good, but his team is in the relegation zone, so itโs a bad team in a league that isnโt that good.
Heโs lessening his value there.
Verdict
The allure of Europe is strong to any player, and sometimes you have to start in a lower division and move your way up. It looks like Buddle took advantage of maybe his only chance at a big payday in spite of the level of competition.
Robbie Findley: to Nottingham Forest, leaving Real Salt Lake
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Pros
2010 was a rough year for Findley. After finishing 2009 as the leading scorer for MLS champion Real Salt Lake, he lost his touch in 2010, scoring only six goals in 26 games.
He was nagged by injuries throughout the MLS season, and even though he was selected for the World Cup roster, he could not find the back of the net, no matter how good some of his chances looked.
He struggled, but has enough potential that he still was able to get a transfer to England.
Cons
If he doesnโt rediscover his scoring touch, Findley will wind up on the bench. At least in MLS he wouldโve been given the opportunity to play out his struggles.
Verdict
His form hasnโt been anything to be excited about lately, but he does have the skills to bounce back. Maybe heโs been distracted by a potential move to Europe, and now that he has it heโll be more focused.
Jermaine Jones: to Blackburn via Schalke (loan)
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Pros
Jones went from the doghouse and the bench at Schalke to a role as a revered starter at Blackburn.
His new team had been looking for a defensive midfielder for some time, and manager Steve Kean has praised him.
Also, playing in England will allow Jones to sharpen his English, which will help him further integrate with the USMNT.
Cons
None.
Verdict
Jones may have secured the best move among American players this winter. Heโs gone to a team that really wants and needs him and heโs performed well in the early going. Heโs a tough player and should enjoy a good tenure with the club, which also has an option to buy him.
Benny Feilhaber: stayed at AGF Aarhus
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Pros
He stays with a club for which he is comfortable and has shined all season.
Cons
Feilhaber needs a new challenge. Aarhus is only in Denmarkโs First Division, so the competition isnโt that good. Heโs already proven himself on this level.
Verdict
Feilhaber is falling on the midfield depth chart for the USMNT and he needs to be playing against better competition to continue to prove himself. He will most assuredly need to move on this summer.
Eric Lichaj: stayed at Aston Villa
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Pros
Lichaj, only 22 years old, is still young and has time to improve. By staying at Villa, he will get to train day-in and day-out with a good EPL side.
Cons
After enjoying a nice five-game stretch being featured in the teamโs lineup and playing pretty well, Lichaj has quickly moved back to the bench. The decision is a little curious.
That being said, if Lichaj is going to continue to sit the bench, it would be better to have him at least loaned somewhere that he can get consistent minutes.
Verdict
Heโs young, but promising. Heโs shown well when heโs appeared for both club and country, so more playing time for him would be nice. For his sake, hopefully a loan can be worked out in the future.
Landon Donovan: staying at Los Angeles Galaxy
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Pros
He finally gets to rest. Donovan has been playing nonstop for the past few years, for the Galaxy, for the USMNT (in the Confederations Cup and World Cup) and on two winter loans. Heโs been at it every month it seems, so itโs good for Donovan to take some time to sit back and recharge the batteries.
Cons
Donovan has proved to be one of, if not the best, player for both club and country. After two successful winter loans, itโs time for him to take the next stepโa full transfer.
Verdict
Donovan has said since the end of the MLS season he needed to rest and wasnโt going anywhere this winter. Expect a move this summer.
Oguchi Onyewu: to FC Twente via AC Milan (loan)
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Pros
He finally escaped the Milan bench. After signing with the club in 2009, he has yet to make a league appearance for them (his patellar tendon injury in World Cup Qualifying was brutal to his status there).
He started and played in his debut for Twente, so as long as heโs healthy, heโll likely be on the field for them.
Cons
Twente played Onyewu at left fullback. While he did fine for the team, and the USMNT is definitely hurting for a player to man that position, there is no way Onyewu will be the answer there. He doesnโt have the speed to cover the fast wings on the international level, so while itโs nice that heโs playing, itโs not at a position where he can help his country.
Also, heโs so rusty that he injured himself in the second game he played at Twente. He says it is not a serious injury, but the man has a lot of cobwebs to shake out.
Verdict
The move was an absolute necessity. Many wonder if Onyewu is really in Milanโs plans, so itโs good heโs someplace else for the rest of the season. If heโs healthy, heโll play, and that really is the most important thing for him right now.
Brad Guzan: to Hull City via Aston Villa (loan)
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Pros
Guzan escapes Brad Friedelโs shadow and finally gets his turn to start. Heโs been the No. 2 for the USMNT without starting a league game since he left Chivas USA in 2008. Now heโs started five games in a row for Hull City, and heโs fared pretty well.
Cons
The loan was originally only for a month, but it has since been extended for another month. Thatโs a short time to enjoy the spotlight of starting between the pipes. At the end of February, heโll be back at Villa.
Before that, former starter Vito Mannone could return from injury and Guzan would have to compete with him for the top spot.
Verdict
Guzan needed this move. The only other thing he could have asked for was for a longer loan. Friedelโs been rumored to be leaving the club soon, though, so he may finally get his chance at Villa sooner rather than later.
Freddy Adu: to Rizespor via Benfica (loan)
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Pros
He actually has a team now. Benfica didnโt want him. Aris, the team he actually was still on loan with, didnโt want him. He trialed with Sion, Randers and Ingoldstadt, but none of those teams wanted him either.
So someone finally put him on their roster. Thatโs a plus in his career, considering the way things have been going.
Cons
Rizespor is in the second level of Turkish soccerโnot a talented league at all. Itโs an improvement because heโs on a team, but he couldโve easily come back to MLS and been playing at a much higher level.
What made him think Rizespor was the place he needed to be is something weโd all like to know.
Verdict
One has to wonder how Adu has slid so far down to wind up at Rizespor, but you canโt hate on it too muchโit is a roster spot.
Letโs see if they actually play him.
Jozy Altidore: to Bursaspor via Villarreal (loan)
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Pros
Unlike Adu, Altidore wound up in Turkeyโs highest division, which is a very talented league. Bursaspor is a talented team, and Alitdore has a good possibility to get a lot more playing time than he did at Villarreal.
Cons
Playing time wonโt just be handed to him. Bursaspor doesnโt have the stable of forwards that Villarreal did, but they do have guys in the mix. They also acquired Scottish international striker Kenny Miller, and they still have their previous forwards in the mix.
Altidore has played well enough, but heโs struggled to score at all levels since his loan to Hull City last season. Heโs going to need to pick up the pace.
Verdict
If Altidore can secure more playing time, itโs a good move. Heโs been steadily, quietly, improving, but it wonโt mean anything until heโs scoring goals. The move is a good one.
Michael Bradley: to Aston Villa via Borussia Monchengladbach (loan)
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Pros
Bradley leaves the basement of the German Bundesliga to play in the EPL. His career continues to move upwards, and this is the latest step.
Aston Villa has had its troubles in central midfield, so Bradley should get his opportunities, especially since manager Gerard Houllier has been interested in him since the World Cup.
Cons
The EPL is soccer's biggest league, and Bradley isnโt going to be handed anything. Aston Villa brought in Jean Makoun and still has Stiliyan Petrov and Nigel Reo-Coker, despite their struggles. So heโll have competition and heโll have to push himself to come out on top and stay there.
Verdict
This is a fantastic opportunity for Bradley as he continues his rise to soccer stardom. Heโll have to work hard, but thatโs never been an issue for Bradley. Itโs an exciting move and a well deserved one.
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