Grading the USMNT Transfers

Soccer fans you have almost made it! The silly season has reached its final month and the start of the season for major European leagues is in sight. Transfers and rumors have been flying around all summer, and Americans have had their range of moves. From the fairly simple moves of players like Hurculez Gomez and Eric Lichaj to the chaos that was #DempseyWatch2013. Now that it seems that most of the news for Americans has simmered down, its time to grade these moves.

Danny Williams from Hoffenheim to Reading

Initially, this move seemed like a headscratcher. One of the "Germericans" leaving the Bundesliga for the English Championship? Diving deeper though, it was really the only move that the 24-year-old midfielder could make. Hoffenheim and Williams both had terrible seasons, Hoffenheim was nearly relegated and Williams was benched towards the end of the season, only making one appearance in the last two months of the season. After falling out of favor with Hoffenheim, Williams needed to make a move to keep his development and playing time steady so recently relegated Reading came calling. While a move in the Bundesliga might not have possible, Williams needed to look at a club where he could start from day one in the midfield, and that might not be the case in Reading, keeping me skeptical about this move.

Grade: C+

Eric Lichaj from Aston Villa to Nottingham Forest

Jurgen Klinsmann has stressed for as long as he's been the US coach that the way to get into the National Team picture is to get regular playing time, and that seems to be the only thing eluding Eric Lichaj recently. Also just 24 years old, a regular spot in a starting 11 is the most important thing for Lichaj. While Demarcus Beasley has performed admirably at Left Back recently for the Nats, he's not a permanent nor long term answer, so Lichaj being able to provide depth and competition along with Fabian Johnson is huge for the USMNT.

Grade: B+










Carlos Bocanegra from Rangers to Chivas USA

Carlos Bocanegra is coming back to MLS? Awesome, thats a great move for him at this stage in his career! Who is he going to play for?.....Who?....Chivas??? Nevermind.

Grade: F














Clarence Goodson from Brondby to San Jose Earthquakes

Clarence wins round one in the battle of US centerbacks making a return to MLS. The former Brondby man has found himself in a good situation with San Jose and that is the best possible thing for him and his World Cup chances, especially because he could be competing directly with Carlos Bocanegra for that last centerback spot to Brazil. He may not be the most smooth in the back and has caused some unnecessary stress for US fans everywhere. If he can fix his tendency to get caught ball watching his strange ability to end up with the ball two feet from an open net can come up huge for the Americans in Brazil.

Grade: A-

Jozy Altidore from AZ Alkmaar to Sunderland

Jozy is now scoring goals. Lots of goals. He's gotten 38 goals in 67 appearances in Holland, and is now scoring the National Team. So a transfer seemed imminent. Scouts were at every US game he played in, and rumors for nearly every league surfaced. Eventually Jozy shattered his own transfer record for an American, moving to Sunderland for $13 million. The move to the Premier League is a nice one, but I can't help but feel that Jozy might have made this move one summer too soon. The possibility of Jozy getting another 10-20 goals for AZ right before the World Cup and keeping him in form would be great. Then some good performances and a couple goals in Brazil could've meant even more money for Jozy at a bigger, dare I say possibly a Champions League quality team.

Grade: B

Clint Dempsey from Tottenham to Seattle Sounders

Dempsey launched US fans everywhere to a search in every international airport in America. Causing twitter to explode and fans everywhere to ask, "What? Dempsey? To Seattle??" This move was the epitome of the silly season and let me just say that I LOVE THIS MOVE! While fans in England and a few Americans see Dempsey giving up on his dream for the Champions League that was his ambition when he left Fulham. This move has a completely different feel for me, a move that has more thought towards his preparation for the World Cup and the USMNT. This move is also huge for the MLS. A player who could start for most Premier League teams wanting to move to MLS at the age of just 30. The pairing of Dempsey and Eddie Johnson cannot be overstated either. Those two playing together everyday could develop quite a partnership. Johnson could have also had something to do with this move as well, and if thats the case, thank you Eddie Johnson

Grade: A+