MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 24: Manchester City players Benjamin Mendy, Zack Steffen, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Taylor Harwood-Bellis congrtatulate each other at the final whistle after the Carabao Cup third round match between Manchester City and AFC Bournemouth at Etihad Stadium on September 24, 2020 in Manchester, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Visionhaus)
Kartik Krishnaiyer
The proposed breakaway European Super League dominated headlines on both sides of the Atlantic this past week. Particularly in the United Kingdom the narrative has revolved around the “Americanization” of European football and the role of American owners, bankers and club executives in the aborted attempt to create a partially closed elite league.
It’s important while American owners and executives rightly come under heavy criticism in Britain, that American players have nothing to do with this and in fact have benefited greatly from playing in the open systems in Europe. With that, here are some observations about American players in Europe this past week…
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Zack Steffen became the 4th American Goalkeeper to win the English League Cup when Manchester City defeated Spurs 1-0 at Wembley on Sunday. Steffen’s bounce-back from a costly error a week ago at the same ground against Chelsea in the FA Cup final is a welcome sign for American fans.
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Tyler Adams versatile play was on full display in RB Leipzig’s 2-0 win over Stuttgart on Sunday. Adams alternated between playing in a right sided withdrawn position and centrally in a more advanced position. Adams’ versatility had been a key all season for Leipzig.
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Not only is Daryl Dike banging in the goals for Barnsley but by virtue of other results,”The Tykes” are guaranteed a place in the promotion playoffs at the end of the season. If Dike is able to fire Barnsley into the Premier League, the likelihood grows that they will be able to afford the reported $20m asking price MLS and Orlando City have put on his permanent transfer. It has reached the point where he scores… for fun, as supporters sing.
Edmond, Oklahoma’s Daryl Dike scores his 9th goal in 16 games for Barnsley. 20-Year-Old’s strike rate is sensational but so is the variety of goals – long range howitzers, bulldozing entire defenses up close, and now this Bicycle. Oklahoman Lukaku ??pic.twitter.com/4Bt8qAJQkq
— roger bennett (@rogbennett) April 21, 2021
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John Brooks has been arguably the standout American international in Europe this season, but he has had a few rough outings in the last month for Wolfsburg. Suddenly, Brooks’ side looks wobbly in the Bundesliga Top 4 following a 2-0 home loss to Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
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He’s not an American but from our neighbors to the north, but I felt I should mention Jonathan David’s contributions this season for Lille. David is among in my opinion the best strikers in the world with his combination of skills. Canada is a traditional underachiever at the men’s international level but with David and the exceptional Alphonso Davies in the fold, no more excuses can be had if Canada doesn’t make a real run at qualifying for 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Kartik Krishnaiyer is one of the editors of The Yanks Are Coming. Follow him on Twitter @kkfla737.