Yanks Soccer

Europe is a seemingly wonderful place.  Each country has their own interesting culture, they speak different languages, and they worship soccer like no other sport.  Yes, there is Rugby, Cricket, Cycling (a favorite of mine), but soccer is on another level, another echelon of fandom.  Our young American soccer players grow up dreaming of one day putting on the colors of a European club, playing in the Emirates, or the Camp Nou.  Youth players show up en masse at summer friendlies to see their favorite players in person, Rooney, Ronaldo, Messi and co.  They work towards it, juggling, passing, learning tricks, all in a hope that they will one day be a professional in the sport they love, and ultimately, a professional in the most competitive leagues of Europe, experiencing a new culture, a new language perhaps, and a soccer obsessed society.

This phenomenon is relatively new.  20 years ago, there was little prospect of a talented youth turning pro, as their was no domestic league, and the European scouts rarely ventured this side of the Atlantic to find kids.  Over time though, the situation changed changed.  Champions League, EPL, Bundesliga, Serie A, and La Liga matches were beamed in to American televisions, a domestic league sprouted up boasting American, Latin, and European talent, and the European clubs started coming to the U.S. to play friendlies and grow their fan bases.  The youth now saw an outlet, a path to stardom, a path to a career as a soccer player.

They followed the path.

The World Cup team of 2010 had 17 players who were living their dream of playing in Europe, many of who were playing upon the pitches they saw through their televisions as teenagers.

Many of the Americans who have played in Europe have since hung up their boots have gone on to be coaches, technical directors, or managers in the game.  Not surprisingly though, no U.S. Manager has ever been appointed to manage a European club in a top European League.  Most of the former players have gone on to find jobs in MLS, but very few have found the same jobs available across the Atlantic.  In order for American players to inundate European leagues, their were American trailblazers that made it possible.  In the same way, American soccer needs managerial trailblazers.

As of now, there is only one man who has taken an important role off the pitch in Europe, Earnie Stewart.  Stewart, who was born in Holland is currently the Technical Director of AZ Alkmaar, but Stewart isn’t a manager, the man deciding the tactics and lineup each week.  Stewart also had the benefit of being raised in Europe, a factor that helped him get a job originally at NAC Breda where he played for 7 years.

Stewart is obviously well respected in Dutch soccer circles, earning that respect through 16 years of playing in Holland.  Bob Bradley, if he gets a job would do so as a complete outsider, the first of his kind.  Respect though, is seemingly what it takes to earn a job in Europe, and Bradley has earned that respect.

Bob Bradley, one of the most successful managers in MLS history, with an MLS Cup and 2 US Open Cups to his name, was a success in his first high profile job.  He led the United States to a Gold Cup title, a second place finish at the 2009 Confederations Cup, first place in CONCACAF Qualifying, and the Round of 16 at the World Cup.  The Confederations Cup run, and a couple of impressive performances on European soil was what made European clubs stand up and notice him, though.  Good performances against Poland and Spain in 2008, and a masterful win over Spain last summer certainly turned heads.  Throughout the final year of his tenure, it became common knowledge that Bradley wanted a job in Europe, and the respect he had earned gave him a real shot of getting one.

Bradley, who is mild mannered, and a good man manager fostered a great team spirit in the past four years, and although his tactical decisions were not always perfect, he showed an adept ability at adjusting on the fly.  Many clubs in Europe are searching for managers as the common post-World Cup scramble begins, and Bob Bradley is one of many names floating around.  The Mail on Sunday has in fact reported that Bob Bradley is being looked at to replace the departing Roy Hodgson at Fulham.

Beyond the fact that Bradley is a capable manager, he also brings a predisposition towards certain Americans he has coached for the past four years.  Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, and Clint Dempsey are all sought after commodities this summer, and having Bradley at the helm surely would be a good recruiting tool.

Bradley may stay on as the National Team Manager, he may take some time away from the game, but most likely of all, he will pursue a job in Europe as his reputation is at the highest it has ever been.

Once upon a time, there was a barrier that prevented American players from playing abroad.  The likes of John Harkes, Eric Wynalda, Earnie Stewart, and Dale Mulholland paved the way for others to follow in their footsteps.  In fact, much of the growing reputation today of American soccer can be attributed to the many who play abroad, and indirectly to those who came before them.

In the same fashion, Bob Bradley can break the managerial barrier by landing a job in Europe, and pave the way for the future managers and ex-players to follow him.

–Max Zeger

Follow Max on twitter @mcmz403 for news, banter, and opinion.