EPL Gone Global: The American Invasion

This week, Derby County became the fourth English Premiership team to take on American owners, following last year's purchases of Aston Villa, Manchester United, and Liverpool.

While Derby themselves may not be in the Premiership much longer, it seems that the American invasion is here to stay.

The ideal situation for every club would be, of course, to have a lifelong fan, with money at their disposal, owning the club and doing everything in their power to ensure the club was run successfully.

Unfortunately, such local sugar daddies are few and far between at the top end of the English football pyramid. As financial restraints and the pressure for immediate success clash, clubs are invariably turning to foreign investment for succor.

Randy Lerner's Aston Villa certainly seem to be moving in the right direction.

Manager Martin O'Neill has been getting them to play some good attacking football with the likes of Ashley Young—an example of the money he has been able to spend since the takeover.

The Glazers' much publicised takeover of Manchester United led to some infuriated fans taking their support elsewhere, with the conception of a local team. Yet on-pitch results have yielded the Premiership trophy and attracted some expensive signings such as Tevez, Anderson, Nani, and Hargreaves.

Liverpool's American owners Gillett and Hicks were initially well received at Anfield after making the right noises. But they have since come under intense scrutiny and criticism from fans for going behind manager Benítez's back and speaking to potential other candidates. However, a recent refinancing deal has been completed, meaning that it is likely the co-owners are in it for the long run.

What effect the new owners at Derby will have remains to be seen. In all likelihood, Derby will be relegated this season from the EPL, having shown themselves to be a million miles away from the quality that is needed to compete in the Premiership. But they have a good manager in Paul Jewell. He's experienced in what it takes to get into the Premiership, but perhaps more importantly, also in what it takes to stay there.

But it is not only off the pitch that the American influence can be found in the EPL these days.

In the past, American players were infrequently found in the top level of English football. Players like Joe-Max Moore and Zak Whitbread made fleeting appearances at Merseyside clubs Everton and Liverpool. But aside from ex-Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur 'keeper Kasey Keller, there were few established first-team regulars from across the pond.

Now however, goalkeepers Brad Friedel of Blackburn and Tim Howard of Everton are established No. 1's, while Fulham seemingly have a campaign going to fill their squad with players from the USA—with Carlos Bocanegra, Brian McBride, Clint Dempsey (right), Eddie Johnson, and the aforementioned Kasey Keller all on their books.

While the sport continues to grow in the States, there will always be better players produced. And the lure of playing in Europe appeals to many North and South Americans, where the recognition is higher—as well as the salaries.

Teenage prodigy Freddy Adu had long been linked with a move to the EPL with either Chelsea or Manchester United before his moves to Real Salt Lake City and then Benfica; while DaMarcus Beasley took the field for Rangers and Jay DeMerit with Watford. Bobby Convey, Eddie Lewis, Jonathon Spector, and Marcus Hahnemann have all been regular performers in the Premiership over recent seasons.

The transition for American players to the Premiership is, of course, made easier by way of speaking the same language and a not altogether different culture. The increasing trend of signing American players does not appear to be in danger of subsiding any time soon.

Even away from the clubs themselves, the Premier League sees both the monetary and recognition possibilities from overseas—highlighted by Budweiser television advertisements where overly-stereotypical Americans control the game, as well as in dealing out lucrative licensing rights to American broadcasters.

The long-term success both the playing and non-playing staff can bring to the Premiership from the USA remains to be seen, but what is sure is that the American national team will benefit from having more players in a stronger league.

And with the likes of Randy Lerner pointing the way for a successful business model with his Aston Villa side, Premiership teams will remain a viable and attractive proposition for the super-rich sports enthusiast entrepeneurs from across the Atlantic for the forseeable future.