Dive Back In - USMNT in England
Where do all USMNT-eligible players stand across England as leagues restart?
The 2022 edition of the FIFA World Cup has come to a close and because of the Winter time frame, we don’t have much time to dive back into club soccer. This is your complete guide to USA players in England and where they stand within their domestic leagues or European competitions.
This is the first in a series of articles to get you back up to speed on where every American and their clubs stands in Europe.
Premier League (restarts 12/26)
Matt Turner (Arsenal v West Ham, 3pm ET 12/26)
The Arsenal backup goalkeeper showed well throughout the World Cup and was one of the main reasons the squad qualified for the knockout rounds. He will return to the Premier League club that is leading the table, 5 points above the chasers Manchester City.
Despite the World Cup performances and the benching of Aaron Ramsdale for England, Mikel Arteta will likely continue with the English keeper between the sticks. Arsenal are still in the FA Cup and the Europa League where Turner has gotten most of his reps. Expect Matt Turner to continue to start in the matches outside of the Premier League, and to see him on the bench cheering on the league leaders as Arsenal looks to win their first league title since 2003-2004.
Christian Pulisic (Chelsea v Bournemouth, 12:30pm ET 12/27)
The man who sacrificed his future children to put the USA into the knockouts returns to Chelsea a rejuvenated player. The Christian Pulisic of Chelsea has been a very different player than the one repping the stars and stripes, but his performances for the USMNT may note a shift in the story thus far.
Chelsea have been relatively disappointing this season after replacing the man who got them the Champions League trophy - Thomas Tuchel. The former Brighton manager Graham Potter has come in to steady the ship.
The steadying hasn’t gone quite to plan, as Chelsea sit 8th in the Premier League outside of the European positions, and lost the last three matches leading into the World Cup break.
Pulisic will be looking to take his World Cup momentum and displace one of Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz, or Mason Mount. It’s an uphill battle from here on out but he has been fighting his entire career to prove himself, always succeeding. In 13 Premier League matches this season, Pulisic has only two goal contributions.
If Pulisic does not get the playing time he’s looking for over the next few match days, I could see him getting a January move to clubs interested in him - mainly Manchester United and Newcastle.
Tim Ream (Crystal Palace v Fulham, 10am ET 12/26)
If any American on Fulham deserves the return of the Jedi title it is Tim Ream. Ream crept back into the USA World Cup roster with his stellar play for Fulham this season. In the group stage of the World Cup, the USA conceded 0 goals from the run of play and Tim Ream was a huge part of that record.
At Fulham this season, the 35 year old St. Louis native has captained the historic club to 9th place. Fulham have arguably been the surprise of the season after winning promotion only recently. Only two points behind Chelsea, Fulham will lean on Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson’s form to continue their rise up the table.
Antonee Jedi Robinson (Crystal Palace v Fulham, 10am ET 12/26)
The left side of the Fulham’s defence is in good hands with Tim Ream and Antonee “Jedi” Robinson. Jedi had a phenomenal World Cup for the USMNT but was found out in the round of 16.
Jedi was late to close down or mark the Dutch right-back Dumfries who carried the Netherlands past the USA. Jedi’s performances in the group stage were tantamount to the US’s success at the tournament and he should be proud of the experience he now has.
Much like Tim Ream, Jedi has to now refocus his attention on keeping Fulham in the top half of the table ensuring the safety of Craven Cottage being back in the Prem next season. While I expect Jedi to continue with Fulham, there are plenty of transfer rumors flying around after his continued elevation at left-back. At 25 years old with a successful Premier League and World Cup campaign behind him, he may go to bigger and greener pastures in Europe.
Chris Richards (Crystal Palace v Fulham, 10am ET 12/26)
Crystal Palace sit tied on points with Fulham but have a worse goal difference. Former NYCFC manager Patrick Vieira may be hoping to boost his team up the table as they start back with a 6-pointer against Fulham on Boxing Day.
Chris Richards missed the World Cup due to a lingering leg injury but has spent the time rehabbing back to full health to contribute for Crystal Palace. The 22 year old center-back has made 3 appearances so far this season for the South London club playing a total of 45 minutes.
A healthy Chris Richards has more to give and he is trusted in big moments. His time so far this season has been against Liverpool and Manchester City. I really think Chris Richards is a difference maker in defence, and if he can continue to get back to health and form, he will end the season as a first-off-the-bench option for Crystal Palace.
Tyler Adams (Leeds v Manchester City, 3pm ET 12/28)
The Wappinger Falls native joined Leeds United last summer and has been the most important player for the club so far this season. His group stage performances at the World Cup were excellent, but he was at fault for the first goal for the Netherlands in the round of 16.
The 23 year-old has averaged a 7.00 match rating throughout the Premier League season and is the fulcrum that makes Leeds United go. The most important thing for Tyler is that he is coming back in-form and healthy to help Leeds United and the two other Americans currently at the club stay safe in the Premier League for another season.
Brenden Aaronson (Leeds v Manchester City, 3pm ET 12/28)
Aaronson didn’t have quite the World Cup he had hoped. After contributing 1 goal and 2 assists so far in the Premier League season for Leeds, he wasn’t at the top of USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter’s depth chart at winger or center-midfield.
He’ll come back to his Premier League club with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove. He’ll continue to play a crucial part in Jesse Marsch’s plans to bring Leeds United up the table.
Jesse Marsch (Leeds v Manchester City, 3pm ET 12/28)
Leeds have had a crazy season so far of incredible highs and the deepest of lows. Even in the two matches leading into the World Cup break, Leeds won a wild 4-3 comeback against Bournemouth, and then lost to Tottenham with the same scoreline.
Leeds United currently sit in 15th place, 2 points above the relegation line but only 4 points from mid-table teams like Fulham and Crystal Palace.
A tough test awaits Jesse Marsch and his squad as a hungry Manchester City travels to Elland Road the day after Boxing Day.
Championship (currently playing)
Josh Sargent (Luton v Norwich, 2:45pm ET 12/26)
Sargent had been out of the USMNT roster for quite some time dating back to last season while Norwich were in the Prem. In the Championship season thus far, Sargent has stormed back scoring 9 goals and assisting a further 2. This excellent form helped him become the preferred starter for the USMNT at the World Cup, but he suffered an ankle injury in the 1-0 victory over Iran.
Sargent is now back with Norwich and played 90’ in both of their matches since the restart - a 1-0 win against Swansea and a 2-0 loss to Blackburn rovers.
Norwich still sit in the promotion playoff spot in 5th place. There is a lot of soccer still to be played in the English Championship, but Sargent is likely to play a huge part in Norwich’s potential return to the Prem.
Josh will go into the next game trying to regain his scoring form against USMNT teammate Ethan Horvath.
Jonathan Tomkinson (Luton v Norwich, 2:45pm ET 12/26)
The 20 year old American is a bit lesser known than his red-headed compatriot at Norwich, but “JT” will have a role to play in the future for this team. Last year at only 19 years old, he was captaining the Norwich U23 squad in the Premier League 2.
He has consistently made the bench this season and is right on the cusp in the center-back depth chart for Norwich. He has played 90’ in both cup matches but has only 1 appearance in the Championship this season, going the distance in a 1-0 loss to Burnley.
Expect Tomkinson to be just on the outside looking in for the remainder of this season, but prepare for him to breakout in 2023.
If you want to see our interview with him from earlier this year you can watch it here:
Auston Trusty (Burnley v Birmingham City, 3pm ET 12/27)
Likely the biggest surprise of the season for fans that have been paying attention, the Arsenal man on loan at Birmingham has been exceptional as a left-sided center-back in a back 3.
The 24 year old who jumped from Philly to Colorado in MLS was sold to Arsenal last year. In what we all thought was a move to free up cap space for the Colorado Rapids (Rapids and Arsenal share the same owner), Trusty has gone out and done some truly special things this season.
In 23 matches so far this season, Trusty has 3 goals and an insane average match rating of 7.25. He has helped Birmingham City to 8th in the Championship, sitting just 2 points of the promotion playoff pace.
If you are going to pay attention to any player that didn’t make the World Cup roster from here on out - Auston Trusty is my pick.
Lynden Gooch (Sunderland v Blackburn Rovers, 7:45am ET 12/26)
Likely a long-forgotten name on the USMNT radar, Lynden Gooch continues to grow his legendary status with Sunderland FC. Gooch has played for Sunderland through their time in the Premier League, Championship, League One, and back to the Championship.
At 26 years old, Gooch has made an incredible 229 appearances for the club. This season, Gooch has transformed into a prolific right-back scoring once and assisting 2 in 17 matches. Likely still way outside the depth chart for the USMNT, I feel like he’s still got an outside shot to make waves.
Sunderland FC sit 12th in the table, only 3 points from the promotional playoff and 6 from the drop-zone.
Zack Steffen (Middlesbrough v Wigan Athletic, 10am ET 12/26)
Zack Steffen’s name shockingly wasn’t called for the USMNT at the 2022 World Cup, but that meant more time for Steffen to regain his old form. Steffen made comments during the World Cup that he declined the most recent call-up in September because of mental health concerns. Good for him - truly.
Steffen now goes right back in goal for Middlesbrough where they have won and lost once since the return of the league earlier this month. The most important thing for the Manchester City loanee is that he keeps his starting spot, which so far he has done.
Middlesbrough are solidly mid-table but the table is so tight that they sit precariously - only a few wins or losses away from promotion and relegation.
Matthew Hoppe (Middlesbrough v Wigan Athletic, 10am ET 12/26)
Winner of the real slim shady contest of 2022, Matthew Hoppe has had a tough go of it at Middlesbrough so far. A USMNT fan favorite since his appearances at last year’s Gold Cup, Hoppe has struggled to gain a foothold at Mallorca and now Middlesbrough.
The 21 year old still has time to develop, and seems to be getting more and more playing time as he continues in the Championship. 15 minutes here and 20 minutes there will slowly add up before he earns a start.
I still have hope for Hoppe - see what I did there? He’s young and hungry, and I'm excited to see him fight for a spot in England.
Ethan Horvath (Luton v Norwich, 2:45pm ET 12/26)
The shy and contemplative backup goalkeeper for the USMNT is back with his club team Luton. While he didn’t make an appearance for the US at the World Cup, Horvath will continue to win our hearts and minds as he battles away in the English Championship.
Luton is not a great team and has an incredibly small budget when compared to their peers across the league. Horvath is a big reason why they still sit above the drop zone in 15th. The English Championship is a grueling season of 46 matches, and we are only halfway through.
Horvath is currently on 8 clean sheets so far this season, and will look to build his pedigree this season before potentially trying to make one last big move in Europe at 27 years old. In Horvath’s next match he’ll try to keep a clean sheet against Josh Sargent and Norwich.
Daryl Dike (Coventry City v West Brom, 2:45pm ET 12/21)
A player that could have potentially played a huge (no pun intended) role for the USMNT had he not been injured for much of the last year. Whether he was with his club team or national team, luck did not follow Daryl Dike leading up to the World Cup. Now healthy and fit, Dike will look to lead the line for West Bromwich Albion. A proud club with Premier League ambitions.
The 22 year old has only made 4 appearances this season, but has produced a goal and an assist in that time. Both the goal and assist came in his 26 minutes against Sunderland on December 12th, and he made his first start of the season last weekend with 57 minutes against Rotherham United.
West Brom sit 16th in the division and need Dike in form to climb back up the table. He’s one to watch as we get back to club soccer this season.
Duane Holmes (Preston North End v Huddersfield, 10am ET 12/26)
An oft-forgotten attacking piece in the USMNT set-up, Duane Holmes continues to make his way through the English football pyramid. The 28 year old attacking midfielder has spent almost his entire professional career between the English Championship and League One.
He’s in a bit of a rut this season with only two assists and zero goals throughout 21 appearances. And while Holmes is not the only one to be blamed for poor performance, Huddersfield Town currently sit dead last in the table.
If they want to stay safe from relegation then Duane Holmes will need to start producing a bit more magic, and has the chance to do that on Boxing Day against Preston North End.
Matthew Olosunde (Preston North End v Huddersfield, 10am ET 12/26)
What a crazy career so far for Matthew Olosunde. A highly-touted prospect from the New York Red Bulls academy from the same crop that gave us Tyler Adams, Olosunde has never quite lived up to his promises.
A RB/RM who was sold to Manchester United in 2016 is currently fighting for playing time with Preston North End. Olosunde has only made two appearances so far this season for the club, and doesn’t look to be featuring anytime soon.
Vaughn Covil (Hull City v Blackpool, 10am ET 12/26)
An English/American dual-national currently playing for Hull City, Vaughn Covil is likely a player you haven’t been paying attention to. It also doesn’t help that he suffered a season-ending knee injury back in August.
At only 19 he was beginning to break into the Hull City side before suffering the injury, and while we won’t see him back again this season he will be one to watch out for going into the 2023 start.
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"Pulisic will be looking to take his World Cup momentum and displace one of Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz, or Mason Mount" - all of whom he out played in the World Cup.
"A player that could have potentially played a huge (no pun intended) role for the USMNT" - puns are always intended, If you don't realize it at the time.
Auston Trusty is the player I am most interested in seeing develop. He has the technique and athleticism to be very good, and he also brings that creativity and sense of the moment - witness his phenomenal although lucky goal - to be special.