European football remains a mixed bag for the development of most players in the United States player pool. For some, there is regular playing time and the opportunity to play in roles that advance both their club and international careers. For others, there is a lack of playing time and a level of career uncertainty as they patiently await their chance to shine.
The consistency of European regulars like Brad Guzan, Fabian Johnson and Rubio Rubin directly relates to the perception of and playing opportunities for emerging prospects like DeAndre Yedlin, Joe Gyau and Julian Green. Because of this, U.S. manager Jurgen Klinsmann must rely on these established European professionals, using their performance over the 2014-15 season as a barometer for their impact on this summer's Gold Cup along with future tournaments.
How did Europe-based Americans fair this club season? Here are grades for a dozen players in the national team pool who earned regular playing time in European leagues, with regular playing time defined as making appearances in more than half of their club's games. As such, players like Yedlin, Gyau, Green, Bobby Wood and Emerson Hyndman are not reviewed as they received limited playing time this season due to either injury, poor form or being out of contract or favor with their clubs. Grades are based on performance and improvement from last season to this season, while also factoring in season-long form.
Here are report cards for 12 Europe-based Americans, including analysis on how each player's club performance impacts his USMNT outlook, along with insight from ESPN USMNT reporters Jeff Carlisle and Doug McIntyre.
Alejandro Bedoya | Midfielder | Nantes | Grade: A-
This season Bedoya excelled as both a central and a right midfielder at Nantes, scoring three goals and serving as an attacking spark for the Ligue 1 side. The midfielder created 20 percent more chances per 90 minute this season compared to last, and also added eight more take-ons. Before signing a contract extension this spring with Nantes, Bedoya stirred up transfer interest from Premier League and Bundesliga clubs.
Bedoya's ability to maintain width along the right side creates more opportunities for the pool of U.S. center midfielders, and the 28-year-old is also a threat to cut inside and combine with teammates. In addition to becoming a more efficient and dangerous attacking player, Bedoya has improved on defense. "I like him more out wide because he is a real conscientious defender," said Carlisle. "He pays attention and takes care of that side of the ball, and obviously he's good when he's on the ball, too."
Rubio Rubin | Midfielder | Utrecht | Grade: A-
Rubin made 28 appearances in Utrectht's 34 games this season, and the 19-year-old ranked fourth on the team with five assists. His ability to play regular minutes at such a young age is reminiscent of Michael Bradley's early career, though Rubin plays a different position. "He's physical, strong, can play with his back to goal and showed he could play out wide for Utrecht as well as he could in the middle," said McIntyre. Overall, Rubin appears to be more of a creative forward who is also capable of creating chances behind a pair of strikers, and his performance in the current U-20 World Cup could increase his value on the European market.
Alfredo Morales | Midfielder | FC Ingolstadt | Grade: A-
Morales took a career gamble leaving Hertha Berlin for second-division Ingolstadt in 2013, but this season the midfielder scored two goals and appeared in 32 of 34 games while leading the club into next season's Bundesliga competition.
Morales spent most of his time in 2014-15 as a left-sided midfielder in a 4-3-3 formation -- one that Klinsmann has used just once since taking charge in 2011 -- and the manager will have to decide whether Morales will play an attacking or defensive role in the U.S. central midfield. "He's a good passer, and very tidy on the ball, but it doesn't seem like he has the physicality to be a lone holding midfielder," Carlisle said. "From what I've seen, his attacking instincts are a little ahead of his defensive instincts right now."
John Brooks | Defender | Hertha Berlin | Grade: B+
Brooks led Hertha Berlin with 79 interceptions and 162 clearances, and his instincts for reading the game are quickly improving along with his maturity. Hertha ranked fourth in the Bundesliga with just 17 goals conceded in the second half of the Bundesliga season, and the fact that Brooks led the team to seven clean sheets after the winter break showed that he was not only using his athleticism to prevent dangerous scoring chances, but also effectively communicating with his defensive partners. This combination of skill and maturity should provide stability in the U.S. defense for years to come.
Timmy Chandler | Defender | Eintracht Frankfurt | Grade: B+
Chandler, who made 29 appearances this season with Eintracht Frankfurt, ranked third on the team in tackles and fourth in interceptions while primarily playing as a right-back. "I think of everybody [playing in Europe], Chandler's probably had the best season," said McIntyre. "He showed a lot of energy, he was getting up and down the flanks and his crossing is really good, which is something we haven't seen too much with the U.S. Overall he's just been really good."
While Chandler provided strong contributions on the attacking end, his defensive progress is slightly muted by the fact that Eintracht Frankfurt ranked 16th out of 18 Bundesliga teams with 62 goals conceded. This team defending leaves a bit of skepticism about Chandler's overall improvement, but a strong Gold Cup tournament could cement his place as a right-back in the U.S. lineup.
Fabian Johnson | Midfielder | Borussia Monchengladbach | Grade: B
Johnson spent the first two months of the season earning a spot in the Monchengladbach lineup, and eventually overcame a World Cup hangover to beat out the likes of Thorgan Hazard and Ibrahima Traore for the position. Monchengladbach ultimately went 10-0-2 with Johnson in the starting lineup, and more importantly the team gave him a permanent home at left midfield. Johnson provided four assists and ranked third on the team with an 83.3 percent pass-completion rate in the attacking third. Arguably the most talented U.S. player, Johnson's regularity at left midfield is a good sign for the stability of the U.S. lineup, and the 27-year-old is likely to become an even stronger player with Champions League experience on the horizon next season.
Danny Williams | Midfielder | Reading | Grade: B
Before sustaining a knee injury in a March 2014 friendly against Ukraine, Williams had a solid chance of making the 2014 World Cup roster. The holding midfielder made a full recovery by November, made 25 Championship appearances and recently displayed his full potential as a two-way player with six interceptions and a team-high 87 percent pass completion rate in an FA Cup semifinal loss to Arsenal. Williams' health will continue to be a question mark; however, when healthy, he is capable of covering ground in front of a back four and also keeping possession in midfield. Williams was named to the U.S. squad set to play upcoming friendlies versus the Netherlands and Germany, and will need to show consistent form to remain in the mix for minutes and a featured role.
Tim Ream | Defender | Bolton Wanderers | Grade: B
Ream made 44 total appearances this season and his durability in central defense was critical for a Bolton side that struggled to attack its opponents. Bolton scored 54 goals this season, five fewer than the 59 goals it scored in 2013-14, and as a result Ream was forced to keep his back line organized and make timely tackles and interceptions as his team absorbed defensive pressure. Ream's eight clearances for the U.S. in a 1-0 win over the Czech Republic in a September friendly also illustrate how the defender uses his instincts and 6-foot-1 frame to clear away dangerous chances. While his USMNT outlook remains cloudy, he will continue to serve as a stable anchor for Bolton's back line as it looks to climb the Championship table next season.
Geoff Cameron | Defender | Stoke | Grade: B-
Cameron missed the first two months of the season with an abdominal injury, but was a regular in Stoke's lineup thereafter. He has excelled primarily as a right-back, ranking second on the team with 2.2 interceptions per 90 minutes. In addition, Cameron's 2.1 tackles per 90 minutes were an improvement over the 2.0 he posted in 2013-14, and his one-on-one defending combined with his passing ability along the right side continue to make him an impact player in the Premier League.
While Cameron excels at his club, the versatile defender has made just one U.S. appearance since the World Cup. "There's not a lot of natural wide players in the U.S. player pool, particularly attack-minded wingers," said McIntyre. "The guys that are used in those attack-minded roles, like Fabian Johnson and DeAndre Yedlin, are typically full-backs converted to attacking roles. Cameron is never going to be a guy that flies up and down the flanks, so that's probably why Klinsmann doesn't feel that he fits into the system."
Aron Johannsson | Forward | AZ Alkmaar | Grade: C+
Though ankle and groin injuries limited Johansson's playing time this season, the striker made 21 overall appearances and finished strong, scoring four goals in his final three matches as AZ Alkmaar secured a place in the 2015-16 Europa League. The striker should have ample opportunities to impress in the upcoming friendlies against the Netherlands and Germany, and Johannsson brings a different dynamic than teammate Jozy Altidore as the primary striker. "I don't expect him to play the way Jozy plays," said McIntyre. "They're very different players. I don't think Aron's a guy that's particularly good at holding up the ball, playing with his back to goal, relieving pressure that way. He's a little more direct and likes to face the goal a little bit more."
Brad Guzan | Goalkeeper | Aston Villa | Grade: C+
While Guzan's club season did not end well -- he was benched during the final month -- the 30-year-old had a strong first half and headed into the New Year ranked fourth in the Premier League with a 75.3 percent save percentage. Overall, he is still an athletic goalkeeper who can reach shots heading toward the corners and, after ranking second in the league with 72 crosses claimed, shows sound judgment in knowing when to come off his line and take command of the penalty area. However, his club outlook appears uncertain: "From the outside it looks like the manager doesn't have faith in him," said Carlisle.
Klinsmann has stated unequivocally that Guzan will be the primary goalkeeper in the Gold Cup, and that decision should restore Guzan's confidence. A return to form could allow him to maintain the U.S. starting position when Howard returns from sabbatical.
Tim Howard | Goalkeeper | Everton | Grade: C
Howard tied Guzan tied with four errors leading to goals (third-most among Prem goalies), and Howard went from ranking third in the league with a 77.2 percent save percentage in 2013-14 to ranking 24th in 2014-15 with a 61.1 percent mark. A World Cup hangover and poor team defending contributed to Howard's early season struggles, but the goalkeeper settled down and excelled at shot-stopping and cutting down angles in the second half of the season. While the 36-year-old is expected to return from his U.S. hiatus at some point in 2016, he will need to have a strong start to the 2015-16 season to maintain his standing as the No. 1 keeper.