Yank Abroad success story of 2004?

[Run DMB]

DaMarcus Beasley, PSV Eindhoven

- bought by PSV from Chicago Fire for $2.5 million
- scored seven goals in the first half of the season in all competitions, including two in the Champions League
- helped PSV advance to the next round of the Champions League

Carlos Bocanegra, Fulham

- since arriving at Fulham in January 2004 on a free transfer from the Chicago Fire, has started every game possible in the back

Jonathan Spector, Manchester United

- 18-year-old defender saw some serious playing time for the first team due to injuries early in the season
- the Chicago native did not look at all out of place, playing in a couple of Premiership matches

Jay DeMerit, Watford

- undrafted by an MLS team
- undrafted by a USL team
- former Chicago Fire Reserve (PDL, effectively 4th division in US soccer)
- discovered by Watford when he played for a non-league club in England
- is now in the starting eleven for an English League Championship team

Oguchi Onyewu, Standard Liege

- went from playing for a relegation-struggling Belgian team to being bought by one of the strongest clubs in Belgium
- played in the UEFA Cup
- was named second-best player in the Belgian league for the first half of the 2004-2005 season
- was just named in the best XI for the Belgian league:

http://www.dhnet.be/index.phtml?content=http://www.dhnet.be/dhsports/article.phtml?id=113591

Robbie Russell, Rosenborg

- went from playing for a relegation-struggling Norwegian team to playing for Norwegian giants Rosenborg
- played in the Champions League
- helped Rosenborg capture yet another domestic title

 

[nor-rbk]

I just hope Russell can do a great season in 2005. We got seriously problems in defence.

 

[Run DMB]

Originally posted by nor-rbk
I just hope Russell can do a great season in 2005. We got seriously problems in defence.

He was injured quite a bit last season, wasn't he? Hopefully he can get healthy next season.

 

[Emre_5]

Re: Yank Abroad success story of 2004?

Originally posted by Run DMB


Jonathan Spector, Manchester United

- 18-year-old defender saw some serious playing time for the first team due to injuries early in the season
- the Chicago native did not look at all out of place, playing in a couple of Premiership matches

Spector needs to Gain some weight he looks like hes malnurished

 

[nor-rbk]

Originally posted by Run DMB
He was injured quite a bit last season, wasn't he? Hopefully he can get healthy next season.

Yes, he was.
But he did fine when he played

 

[Chelives]

Spector or Bocanegra???

How many times has Spector played for the first team?

Bocanegra has been outstanding for us at the back. Although he's been constantly played out of position due to injury's, he gets on with the job and always give 100%. He's solid, composed and has been AN ABSOLUTE F*CKING STEAL!!

Met him once, a top bloke. Talked for ages about Fulham, he is always willing to help out with community stuff, and talk to local kids. Top bloke and should walk this poll. (IMO)

 

[PSVFOREVER]

Beasley isnt that good IMO. Pysically much and much to weak to be in a top team. IMO should be loaned out for a year or 2. His dribbles arent that great either, he barrely gets past the players. Positive is his pace and acceleration.

I havent seen any of those other players...

 

[xxxFLYERxxx]

He seemed to do well against Portugal in the World Cup.

 

[-William-]

Shouldn't you be making threads about Bojinov instead

 

[bjmenge]

It's Beasley, hands down.

 

[adj137]

in terms of impact to a team Bocanegra
i remember when he first came and got sent off for a two-footed tackle...those were the days

 

[Dante_1901]

Still a long way to go for US Soccer ... and for their players too ... but they had been developed a lot since 2002 WC and these last 2 years ... maybe they could get some support from their country and be a more popular sport.

I still guess that Howard is the most known US player abroad, with Beasley ... of course

 

[Vagegast]

None of them have really been a real succes but I'd vote for Beasley. And I don't think he needs to get buff or anything. He's a winger, Overmars never had a problem because he's only 1,72 m. And he's improving by the game.

 

[PSVFOREVER]

But Overmars was better physical. I think Beasley looks just scary. He's sooooooo skinny. (God, this sounded gay)

 

[Dante_1901]

I vote for Beasley, but yes he is so thin, almost scary ... PSV should do somethin bout his feeding ... too unhealthy for a football player

 

[#1 Stunna]

wheres Daniel "El Pocho" Hernandez?

 

[schmeichel01]

They are all pretty **** imho.....

 

[Run DMB]

I think some people misunderstood my thread. This isn't a "best YA thread" or a "most successful YA thread." What it comes down to is, over the last year, who has peformed beyond expectations and who has raised their stock the most?

Beasley and Boca are there because they went from playing in MLS to playing top-level European football.

Spector is there because he went from youth player to reserve player to starting a Premiership game for Manchester-friggin'-United in one year.

DeMerit is there because he went from being, let's just say it: an amateur, to starting for a League Championship team.

Onyewu is there because he transferred to a better club and is regarded by many as the #1 defender in the Belgian league.

Russell is there because he was fighting relegation and all of a sudden he finds himself on a championship-winning team which is in the Champions League group stages.

 

[bjmenge]

DMB has scored the same number of goals in the Champions League as Del Piero, Kaká, Ljungberg, Nedved and Ronaldinho, in his first year in the competition. I don't know how that's not a successful debut season in Europe. He may need to improve still, but he's also doing pretty damn good thus far.

 

[nor-rbk]

Run DMB, how much information do you get about Robbie Russell (and Rosenborg) in US (you live in US right)?
I guess it's nothing, but I'm curious anyway.