I have a number of British friends whom I debate the notion that the term 'Yanks' is a derogatory phrase in soccer. The only time you hear the term used in regards to the world's game is when talking down about an American player.
Thankfully, the recent trend of American success stories abroad seems to be dispelling the myth that Americans are second-class citizens when it comes to soccer at the highest levels in Europe.
When you include Landon Donovan joining Everton on loan along with Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt - Germany) and Stuart Holden (Bolton - England), the United States now have 14 regular members of their national team playing for one of the top five leagues in Europe - English Premier League, Italian Serie A, Spanish La Liga, German Bundesliga and French Ligue 1.
Greg Lalas of Sports Illustrated writes about how negative connotations like 'Yanks' or the 'American Player' are becoming ways of the past.
And some even see a U.S. passport as a plus, because U.S. players are still undervalued in the marketplace. "Landon Donovan has been the best signing of the January transfer window so far," former Liverpool great Martin Lawrenson wrote in The Mirror this week. "It was a masterstroke on David Moyes' and Everton's part. Donovan is neat, tidy, disciplined and has come in and coincided with Everton's season turning completely around. That's no coincidence."
Thankfully, the recent trend of American success stories abroad seems to be dispelling the myth that Americans are second-class citizens when it comes to soccer at the highest levels in Europe.
When you include Landon Donovan joining Everton on loan along with Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt - Germany) and Stuart Holden (Bolton - England), the United States now have 14 regular members of their national team playing for one of the top five leagues in Europe - English Premier League, Italian Serie A, Spanish La Liga, German Bundesliga and French Ligue 1.
Greg Lalas of Sports Illustrated writes about how negative connotations like 'Yanks' or the 'American Player' are becoming ways of the past.
And some even see a U.S. passport as a plus, because U.S. players are still undervalued in the marketplace. "Landon Donovan has been the best signing of the January transfer window so far," former Liverpool great Martin Lawrenson wrote in The Mirror this week. "It was a masterstroke on David Moyes' and Everton's part. Donovan is neat, tidy, disciplined and has come in and coincided with Everton's season turning completely around. That's no coincidence."
The more success US stars like Donovan, Tim Howard and Clint Dempsey have in Europe, the more credibility that the American player - and American soccer - will continue to gain in the rest of the world.
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