Top 10 American Soccer Players Currently Abroad

The pool of Americans playing abroad has grown exponentially over the last two decades. Dating back to the late 80s/early 90s, a brave few made the trek from the friendly confines of the United States to Europe, where they thirsted for a challenge. They ultimately risked sitting on the bench and accruing spare play time. This did plague—and in some cases, still does plague—American players competing in Europe.

That notion of a struggling American footballer abroad is starting to subside, and multiple players are making their mark on the world stage as big time impact players.

Here is a list of the top 10 American footballers currently applying their trade outside of the United States...

*Note: When healthy, Stuart Holden is absolutely on this list. I also intentionally left off our talented youth Americans. Many of them are in youth setups for extremely talented sides, but I chose to focus on players getting consistent first team minutes.

*Giuseppe Rossi will not be included either due to his National Team allegiance for Italy. Based on talent and production, he most definitely would be on the list if he played for the USMNT.

Sacha Kljestan: Midfielder for Anderlecht

Kljestan, a Southern California native, was a member of Chivas USA in MLS for four years before making the transition over to the Belgian giant club, Anderlecht.

At Anderlecht, he's seen steady play time and has been a calming influence in the center of the park. He's always had a deft touch and above-average passing ability dating back to his MLS days, but his skills overall have definitely been enhanced since moving across the pond, especially defensively in regards to tracking back and becoming more of a box-to-box midfielder. 

Fast forward to this season, and Kljestan has been one of Anderlecht's best players. It is of some curiosity that he has not gotten a look yet from new coach Jurgen Klinsmann despite the glut of central midfielders the gaffer has to his disposal.

However, if Sacha continues to play in the fashion he's currently performing, then Klinsmann will have no choice but to select him. He's too talented not to be called in on a consistent basis.

USMNT fans hope that if a selection is in the cards, Kljestan can replicate his outstanding performance that he had in 2009, when he scored a hat trick against Sweden.

Oguchi Onyewu: Central Defender for Sporting CP

"Gooch," as he's affectionately called, is easily the most physically imposing American applying their trade abroad.

The 29-year-old Onyewu started his career at Clemson University in South Carolina before moving to French side Metz in 2002. From there, he parlayed a successful run of play coupled with his chiseled physique into a move at Standard Liege in Belgium.

He had an incredibly successful run in Belgium for his club. Onyewu stalwart in the back where he helped his club win multiple Belgian League titles (this also included a 29-game unbeaten streak).

The prime of Onyewu's career reached a pinnacle during the United States' improbable and magical run to the final of the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa. His play was absolutely dominating, especially in the air, where no striker would dare challenge Onyewu for a ball. That tournament proved to be a great showcase, and it led to Onyewu moving to world power AC Milan.

Unfortunately, Onyewu suffered a torn patella tendon during a World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica, which, frankly, ended his time in Milan before it really ever began (which included a much-publicized feud with then-teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic). For over a year, he was not the same player pre-injury, and it was a question as to whether he'd ever suit up for the National Team again.

After a failed loan in Holland, Onyewu has found a home in Portugal with Sporting CP in 2011. As of late, he's been a consistent starter and has gotten back to looking like the Gooch of old. That is a welcome sight for the USMNT, considering the pool for center defenders is extremely shallow.

Steve Cherundolo: Defender for Hannover 96

There's been one constant that the USMNT can hang their hat on: the steady play of Steve Cherundolo. Stevie has been an absolute rock at right back for years with his consistency. He has also been a joy to watch with his overlapping runs from the flank and his quickness.

Consistently, he's been not only a solid player, but a great influence and one of the unsung leaders of the squad. That leadership most definitely correlates from his club situation with Hannover in Germany.

Cherundolo is the captain of Hannover. Yes, an American captaining a European side in the Bundesliga. How remarkable is that?

At 32, he isn't as spry as he once was, nor is he considered a lock to start every game, but Cherdunolo is still an important cog for the National Team. His experience and leadership qualities make up for possible deficiencies on the pitch.

Maurice Edu: Midfielder for Rangers

Edu is considered one of the youngest and brightest Americans currently playing abroad. He initially started his career in the MLS for Toronto FC before making the move to Scotland for Scottish super club Rangers in 2008.

Edu enjoyed mild success initially, but became a legend in Rangers folklore when he scored the game-winning goal in the 93rd minute against fierce and hated rival Celtic in "The Old Firm." This win cinched the league title in 2010, and it brought Edu to a heroic level.

Edu is also one of the few Americans to have competed in the Champions League. His strong run of play has not gone unnoticed, and recent rumors indicate that clubs in France and England are inquiring about Edu's services. Rangers, for the time being, will hold onto Edu, who has evolved into one of their strongest players.

He patrols the center of the pitch with great physicality and athleticism, and his commitment to winning has become a staple for the Glascow side.

Jurgen Klinsmann has used Edu in recent friendles, and it could be surmised that Edu is firmly entrenched in the central midfield rotation for the National Team.

Jozy Altidore: Forward for AZ Alkmaar

Altidore, the 22-year-old striker, has been a fixture on the National Team since he was a mere 18 years old. The Florida native was incredibly successful in MLS for the NY Red Bulls, and as a result of his immense potential, was bought by Spanish side Villarreal in 2008.

Simply put, he wasn't ready for the move abroad at such a young age, and he more than likely could have developed more in MLS. The United States has the unfortunate stigma of ratcheting up the hype machine for the next best thing. In the soccer world, Altidore was that. He took the mantle from Freddy Adu as being the next Golden Boy, and he just wasn't ready for the expectations that were publicly asked for.

Add to that was the problem of the National Team not scoring enough goals. At 18, he was getting next to no play time at Villarreal, and his confidence became shot.

An immense amount of pressure domestically, unreal expectations (also domestically) and an unstable club situation forced Altidore into a spell of very poor play for three years. After failed loan opportunities in Spain, Turkey and England, Jozy finally fell into an incredibly great situation, which was when he was bought by Dutch side AZ Alkmaar and signed to a four-year contract.

In Holland, the style of play is likened to that of a free-flowing variety, and it was just what the doctor ordered for Jozy. Also (which shouldn't be discounted) was the fact that he was for the first time getting consistent play time. The development that takes place in the Eredivisie has given Altidore confidence and thus far this season, Altidore is a leading scorer for his side as they at the top of the table.

This development is a welcomed sight for the USMNT, whom struggles to score goals. With the new-found confidence and poaching ability, Altidore is finally living up to all the hype that has surrounded him for years. And at only 22, he has an incredibly bright future.

Michael Bradley: Midfielder for Chievo

Bradley is currently the only American playing in Italy, and thus far, his transition to Chievo has been a pleasant one. Since transferring from German side Borussia Monchengladbach, Bradley has started in the center of the midfield and occasionally on the flanks. He has played relatively well for his side that is currently hovering in the middle of the Serie A table.

Bradley was the youngest American to move from MLS to Europe at 19, when he made the trek to Dutch side SC Heereveen.

In Holland, Bradley became a star, and at 20 years old, scored 16 goals in one season. That total is the most ever scored in a First Division European league by an American. Couple that with the fact that Bradley's father, Bob, became the National Team coach, and the younger Bradley began to become integrated into the National Team.

A move to Germany for Monchengladbach was tumultuous at best, as Bradley, who did start the majority of the time, got into countless verbal spats with the manager. Ultimately, he was loaned out to Aston Villa, and the loan was unsuccessful.

Bradley played sparingly in England and moved back to Germany for a short time before fully making the move to Italy.

Bradley has been a staple on the National Team for the last five years and has been a very productive player. Yet, he's been maligned at times for poor play, which caused media outlets to question his father for the younger Bradley's selection as a starter for seemingly every match.

With Jurgen Klinsmann as the new gaffer, the slate for Bradley is wiped clean and the pressure of being the coach's son has been relieved. Recently, he has been coming on as a substitute, but he still remains a very important player going forward for the National Team.

Carlos Bocanegra: Defender for Rangers

Much like Cherundolo, Bocanegra has been a stalwart and consistent performer for the National Team since his debut in 2001.

The former UCLA Bruin standout first applied his trade in Europe for English side Fulham in 2004, in which he enjoyed a four-year run before transitioning over to France, where he played for Saint-Etienne and Stade Rennais until just recently making the move over to Scotland, where he is now a teammate of fellow American Maurice Edu at Rangers.

Bocanegra will not wow anyone with his physical attributes, but he uses his intelligence, positioning and craftiness to ultimately get the job done. In addition, his versatility is an attribute that's contributed to him being a starter in Europe for many years. He's been able to play outside back as well as center back (although he's considered more of a center back only at this point in his career).

In all honestly, Bocanegra is a class act who, as the captain of the USMNT since 2007, commands great respect. He leads by example, and his exemplary leadership skills out on the pitch cannot be understated.

Brad Friedel: Goalkeeper for Tottenham

Cal Ripken, the original Iron Man, has nothing on Brad Friedel. Friedel is the holder of the most consecutive appearances in the Premier League when he played in 167 straight matches. He ended up creating his own record when his streak ended at 267 straight fixtures.

Currently, he's the oldest player in the Premier League at 40, but he's shown no sign of slowing down. In fact, one may argue that he's gotten better with age.

His age is but a mere number at this point, and he's considered one of the best keepers in the EPL, if not the world. His positioning is spot on, and he uses his big frame to intimidate oncoming strikers.

Friedel retired from International play in 2005 with 82 caps to his name. He's also played in four countries professionally (United States, England, Denmark and Turkey), with the most caps for one club coming with EPL side Blackburn.

His career abroad first started in 1994 with Newcastle, but never made an appearance for the English side. He was later loaned to Brondby in Denmark, where he got his first taste of European football.

A fun little fact about Brad is that he's literally spent half of his life in England, so he might have the coolest accent imaginable. A unique combination of a midwest accent (he's originally from Ohio) combined with a cockney twang. It's very cool if you haven't heard an interview from Brad (and if you haven't, I suggest you do!).

Clint Dempsey: Forward/Midfielder for Fulham

Dempsey's play truly is emblematic and epitomizes the stereotypical American: courageous, bold, brash, exciting and gritty.

"Deuce" started his professional career in MLS with the New England Revolution. He was not projected to be a superstar by any stretch after being drafted eighth overall in the first round from tiny Furman University, but he proved all doubters wrong.

He was very productive in his three years in the New England area, totaling 25 goals. He then made the move to England in 2007 for Fulham.

He got minimal playing time initially, but a turning point for perhaps his career was when he scored a game-winning goal in his first season v. Liverpool, which ensured Fulham avoided relegation. It was his first goal for the London side.

That moment forever made Dempsey an endearing figure to the Fulham faithful. From there, the man from Nacogdoches, Tex. blossomed.

He channels his modest upbringing in rural Texas and utilizes his technical ability on the pitch, for which he attributes much of it to playing with older, Hispanic players as a youngster. He also has a willingness to try anything creatively with the ball, throwing all apprehension to the wayside.

That’s what makes him so great, so riveting to watch. While I couldn’t classify him as a world-class player, he’s the closest thing the United States has to one.

He’s garnered an immense respect around England, and a move to a bigger club should be in the cards. He constantly relays the message that he would like to compete in the Champions League, and that simply isn’t feasible at Fulham.

He is the best outfield player that the United States has currently, and he will go down as one of the best to ever put on the Red, White and Blue kit. While many people might regard Landon Donovan as a better player, there's no denying that Dempsey has in fact excelled at a higher level.

He also is currently Fulham's all-time leader in goals scored in Premier League play with 39.

Tim Howard: Goalkeeper for Everton

Ask the majority of USMNT fans, and they will tell you that the most important player on the team bar none is Tim Howard.

How many times have we seen him keep the United States competitive in matches, or at least keeping the opponent to one goal as opposed to four or five? There is no denying that Howard is a world-class goalkeeper that belongs amongst the top ten at his position in the world.

The New Jersey native made a huge leap from MLS to perhaps the most recognizable soccer club in the world in Manchester United. Howard was projected to be the heir apparent to French keeper Fabian Barthez, who fell out of favor with Manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

In 2004, Howard made a very bad mistake in a match v. FC Porto, which knocked Man U out of the Champions League. He never fully recovered from it, and as a result, Man U signed Dutch Keeper Edwin Van Der Sar, and Howard was loaned to Everton.

After a spell of stellar play, Everton bought him from Man U in 2007, and Howard became effectively the face of the club. He has had numerous outstanding efforts in big games throughout his career and has been a big reason as to the success of Everton.

Currently as the first-choice keeper for the USMNT, he's turned into the proverbial security blanket in the back. His play against Spain in the 2009 Confederations Cup was legendary stuff. He also had a wonderful 2010 World Cup with strong performances against England and Algeria.

Regardless of position, Howard is the most highly rated and regarded American player currently playing abroad.

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