Finding A Home: 5 USMNT Players and the Clubs That Would Aid Their Development

The excitement of the Beautiful Game is growing more and more every year in America, and every year Americans are anxious to see what kind of USMNT will take to the field.  Will it be the group winners from World Cup 2010 in South Africa, or the bottom dwellers from the World Cup 2006 in Germany?  

How can we give ourselves a better assessment of where our USMNT will be in the future? Well, first we can look at the teams at which they are developing.  While most of our players are developing on mid-table teams or in leagues with names that we cannot pronounce, it makes me wonder.  Where would our players develop in the most beneficial way? 

Michael Bradley: Bayern Munich

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 10: Michael Bradley #4 of the U.S. faces Brazil in the second half of a friendly match at the New Meadowlands on August 10, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

Current Club: Borussia Mönchengladbach

Despite their slow start to the 2010 season, it is undeniable that the build up play of Bayern Munich is exquisite.  On a day where all the players are in good health, one will see Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben charging up the wings, while Mark van Bommel and Bastian Schweinsteiger hold the ball up in the middle. Imagine Michael Bradley as the understudy to van Bommel or Schweinsteiger. Each player is between about 6 '0 to 6'2, Michael Bradley being the tallest, and each player with a blistering shot.  Michael Bradley would be able to hone his hold up play as well as his vision for creating players, while seeing minutes as a formidable substitute for either van Bommel or Schweinsteiger.

Benny Feilhaber: Arsenal FC

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CARSON, CA - JANUARY 23: Benny Feilhaber #5 of USA looks on prior to their international friendly match against Honduras on January 23, 2010 in Carson, California. Honduras defeated USA 3-1. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

Current Club: Aarhus

Creativity comes to mind when thinking of any Arsenal player. I believe its a criteria that each player must meet before being signed.  Add that to each of Arsenal's midfielders having an extreme desire to push forward, and you have a team that Benny Feilhaber would warm up rather nicely to. I feel safe likening Feilhaber to an under-developed Cesc Fabregas. Though I do think Feilhaber could handle the ball a bit better than Fabregas, Benny could learn a lot from Cesc's leadership and creativity.  Perhaps some time under Arsene Wenger, some training with Cesc and Nasri, and some playing time in the Carling Cup and early stages of the FA Cup, and Benny Feilhaber could develop into one of the most dangerous midfielders around.

Jose Francisco Torres: Barcelona FC

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PHILADELPHIA - MAY 29 : Jose Torre #26 of the United States during a pre-World Cup warm-up match against Turkey at Lincoln Financial Field on May 29, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

Current Club: Pachuca

If there is any truth in the game, it is that Barcelona plays the most beautiful football in the world. It is no surprise that the players at the heart of Barcelona were also at the heart of Spain's World Cup winning squad. Jose Francisco Torres would develop beautifully under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, Messi, and Xavi.  He would also have a taste of what it feels like to play on a highly successful club, and thus boost his confidence. In turn he would bring beautiful handling, passing, and movement to the USMNT midfield.

Charlie Davies: Manchester United FC

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SANDY, UT - SEPTEMBER 05: Jozy Altidore #17 and Charlie Davies #9 of the United States celebrate Altidore's goal in the first half during the FIFA 2010 World Cup Qualifier match between the United States and El Salvador at Rio Tinto Stadium on September

Current Club: Sochaux

The question still remains, will Charlie Davies ever return to his pre-car crash form.  Well, considering the fact that I'm an optimist, I feel safe including CD9 in this article.  Why would he fit with Manchester United? Well, Sir Alex has a knack for developing talent.  Charlie Davies has a lot of potential, and that is something that Fergie has always seemed to be able to draw out of players.  He shows confidence in his players by putting them on the field, and those players, in turn, show confidence in their playing. Encumber that with the fact that Davies would be training with one of the best teams in the world, and he would undoubtedly see positive strides in his development.

Jozy Altidore: Chelsea FC

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PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 20: Forward Jozy Altidore of US national football team waits for the start of a press conference at Irene Farm on June 20, 2010 in Irene near Pretoria, South Africa. The USA will play their next World Cup Group C match again

Current Club: Villareal

It is impossible to deny the fact that Jozy Altidore shows enormous potential, and it is impossible to deny the fact that Jozy Altidore shows striking similarities to Didier Drogba. There would be no better mentor for Jozy Altidore.  Didier Drogba is in top form, and is widely considered as one of the best strikers in the world. Playing for Chelsea, Altidore would see time during the early stages of the Champions League, as well as any of the English domestic cups.  Lastly, training with Chelsea's world class players as an understudy to Didier Drogba would turn out a world class striker in Jozy Altidore.  He is still young, and given the right development, it would be no surprise to see him become the top scorer in USMNT history.