WASHINGTON • For some 25 years, American players have been carving out a modest presence overseas.
Many have been goalkeepers and defensive types. Some have arrived with scoring portfolios forged in Major League Soccer. Several were dual nationals, born and trained abroad.
Intra-European transfers involving king's ransoms and glamorous suitors were reserved for the likes of David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar; for Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona; for Brazilians, Argentinians and Spaniards.
Certainly not for Americans.
Christian Pulisic, 20, busted that mould on Wednesday when English Premier League titans Chelsea signed him from Borussia Dortmund for £58 million (S$99.7 million).
The fee was more than three times the previous record for a US player - in May 2017, defender John Brooks left German club Hertha Berlin to sign for Wolfsburg for €20 million (S$31 million) - and around the 25th largest in the sport's history.
Pulisic will remain with Dortmund this season, then in August become the first high-profile American, not including goalkeepers, to suit up for an English heavyweight.
Brian McBride and Clint Dempsey did score goals for Fulham, but the Cottagers operate in the shadows of London brethren. Claudio Reyna and DaMarcus Beasley liked the ball at their feet. John Harkes played for trophies at Wembley. Tim Howard, Kasey Keller and Brad Friedel were world-class goalkeepers.
Pulisic has always been different. His electric skill set - initiated in Hershey, Pennsylvania, by parents who played at George Mason University and took him abroad in early 2015 - belies the reputation of Americans being hard workers, supporting actors and little else.
Amid gains in the sport since the late 1980s, the US has developed few creative male prospects suited for the world's brightest stages.
Where has Freddy Adu gone?
In terms of dynamic attackers, the closest comparison to Pulisic was Landon Donovan. Their acceleration and confidence with the ball are eerily similar.
Donovan, however, spent the bulk of his decorated career in San Jose and Los Angeles before retiring last year, never making a European breakthrough despite opportunities in Germany and England.
As a teenager, Pulisic was starting regularly in the Bundesliga, which sits in the top tier of European circuits with the Premier League, Spain's LaLiga, Italy's Serie A and France's Ligue 1. Dortmund also typically qualify for the Champions League, the continent's elite club competition.
Given his high-level experience at such a young age, he was one of the top five transfer targets this winter despite his lessening role at Dortmund. Bumped from the line-up by English teenager Jadon Sancho, he has appeared in 11 of 17 league matches, starting five and scoring once. He has continued to start in the Champions League.
Given his profile and cost, the Blues, whose last of six English titles came in 2017, are almost sure of thrusting him into the line-up next summer. Beyond his contributions on the field, Chelsea are, no doubt, counting on a marketing bump. Through pre-season tours and TV exposure, European clubs have made great strides in recent years appealing to US audiences.
Given the historical England-US ties, and that NBC Sports' presentation of the EPL is akin to the National Football League which is still the most-watched sport, Chelsea are eyeing an uptick in exposure and jersey sales.
NBC is certainly thrilled about building coverage around an exciting US player. Two defenders and a defensive midfielder comprise the current US contingent in the EPL.
Pulisic's move is also seen as a victory for US men's football which, in the wake of the World Cup qualifying fiasco, has fallen off the radar and begun major renovations.
Before his transfer, Pulisic was already the centrepiece of the programme. Wearing Chelsea colours and competing in the sport's most popular league, he will soon inherit a role no American has ever taken.
WASHINGTON POST
City inflict more pain on Man Utd to go back top. On Apr 25, 2019 8,193 5. cardiff city manchester united. Nightmare season finally over for United . english premier league Manchester City.
Man City inflict more pain on Man Utd to go back top - Daily
Klopp hails 'best night' of his life after ending final hex. By. Jurgen Klopp revelled in the biggest night of his managerial career on Saturday after winning Liverpool's sixth European
Klopp hails 'best night' of his life after ending final hex
Latest Football Gist Jorginho fires Chelsea as recalled Kepa shines Chelsea were indebted to Kepa for a series of superb saves that preserved their lead after the
Jorginho fires Chelsea as recalled Kepa shines - Afriupdate
Manchester United caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says the owners of Norwegian club Molde sent him to Old Trafford with their blessing and asked him to try to turn his temporary stint at the
Brewers aim to keep momentum going vs. Pirates. Field Level Media May 31, 2019, 4:33 AM UTC. The Milwaukee Brewers don't need Christian Yelich to hit homers to win. After all, Yelich didn't add to
Rockets aim to keep momentum - YouTube
Yuya Osako delivered it with a towering second-half header to give Japan a victory that leaves Colombia, who were quarter-finalists in Brazil four years ago, with much to do if they are to progress to the next phase. The tone of a glorious afternoon in Saransk was set in that remarkable opening period.
World Cup group stage - Ivory Coast vs. Japan - Yahoo Sports
Real Madrid, Atletico close in on Barcelona | football
Champions League final may 'mess' with England: Gareth Southgate Description: Southgate's squad for this month's European Championship qualifiers has 13 players from the four clubs, including Spurs striker Harry Kane, Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and City winger Raheem Sterling.
Southgate frustrated by Champions League fixture 'mess
Asier Arsuaga Nacido en Tolosa en 1974. Ryan said her office recommended Remyâ s release based, in part, on a conversation prosecutors had with Martel and with
2014 « oceanwise indonesia
Crystal Palace all but banished any lingering relegation fears as captain Luka Milivojevic fired home a late penalty to secure a 1-0 Premier League victory at Newcastle on Saturday.
Football: Milivojevic penalty seals Palace win at Newcastle
Football: Barcelona on verge of La Liga title after beating Alaves BARCELONA (REUTERS) - Barcelona have one hand firmly on the La Liga title after winning 2-0 at Alaves on Tuesday (April 23), leaving them 12 points clear at the top of the table with four games to play.
Barcelona on verge of Liga title after beating Alaves - CNA
0 comments:
Post a Comment