Quite a bit has changed over the last five weeks, including two new players that seem to be firmly in the conversation for Brazil 2014. Youth reigns supreme in this version of The DLF European Team of the Season, but it seems as though the youngsters might be our best hope next year.
1. AS Roma
Nothing changes at the top of the list, and no surprise there. Michael Bradley continues to be the most important American currently playing in Europe, and his continued success with the Italian giants will go a long way in Brazil. Bradley's positive effects were never more keenly felt than in Costa Rica, when he went out with an injury just before kickoff. We had grown used to a US team that was confident on the ball and smooth in the midfield, but it was a shock to learn just how much of that relied on Bradley. Here's hoping that his ankle injury isn't serious and that he will make his return to the field soon.
2. Hertha Berlin
While I had heart John Anthony Brooks' name floated out there in the past as a promising prospect for the future, I never considered that he could be a roster candidate for Brazil 2014. But, seemingly out of nowhere, JAB is starting at center back for a newly promoted Bundesliga side, and that is a HUGE deal. For a 20 year old American to be cutting his teeth in one of the top 3 leagues in the world as a full time starter, it almost makes a long time fan like myself giddy with excitement. It feels too good to be true in a lot of ways... almost like he might change his mind at the last minute and try his luck in the German pool.
But that is partly why Hertha is such an important team to watch this year. If he accepts a call up for the final qualifiers and is cap tied to the US, then I feel like there is a great chance that he is not only on the roster in Brazil, but that he's in the starting XI. I love Besler and Goodson, and think that they should definitely be included on the WC roster, but a 6'4" center back that was recently described as "a backline mutant rarely seen in US colors"? I would generally be concerned about his lack of experience because of his age, but if he is truly going to be a full time starter for a Bundesliga team then that argument doesn't really hold water. I said recently that he has a chance to be an even more talented Oguchi Onyewu, and it's starting to seem like that might have been faint praise.
3. Hoffenheim
Jurgen Klinsmann has planted his flag firmly in Fabian Johnson's camp, so it seems as though the left winger will be thoroughly involved in the team in 2014. I vacillate on Johnson; at times I feel as though he is a welcome dose of instant creativity and competent defending, but at other times I feel as though he disappears offensively and makes mental errors on defense. My trepidation with him might be partly due to the fact that he his fate has been paired with that of DaMarcus Beasley, in whom I don't have a lot of confidence. I was so high on Fabian as a left back, and I always thought that Beasley would lose the left midfielder role to somebody a little more creative. But then Jurgen switched them up and moved Fabian into the left midfield, which has been fine, but I feel as though part of my excitement came from his unusual creativity for a fullback. Now that he is in midfield, his skills aren't quite so unusual because the creativity standard is much higher for wingers. My secret desire is that Johnson will be slid back into the left fullback spot, and Beasley will become equipment manager/experienced locker room guy.
But regardless, Johnson has proven to be a mainstay at a Bundesliga club, and that alone is enough to earn a spot in the top five. An injury free run through the Bundesliga season would all but ensure Johnson a spot in the starting lineup in Brazil, so Hoffenheim are worth keeping an eye on.
4. Schalke
Left off of the previous list by accident, Jermaine Jones and Schalke were in consideration for the third spot as well. The difference so far this season has been that JJ hasn't gotten the consistent starts that Fabian Johnson has, but that could very well change as the season goes on. Klinsmann has similarly thrown his support behind Jermaine Jones throughout his tenure as the USMNT coach, and he seems a virtual lock to be Michael Bradley's midfield partner in Brazil. This at once is comforting and terrifying, because of the incredibly mixed bag that Jones brings to the table.
On one hand, he is a ferocious defender that doesn't take shit from anybody in the midfield, and that can prove to be an invaluable asset at the highest levels of football. When you have Nigel de Jong and co. trying to get away with roundhouse kicks and sucker punches, it helps to have a certified badass that nobody is in a hurry to tangle with. He has the ability to impose his will on a midfield, and has shown to have a keen understanding with Michael Bradley. He can hold on to the ball too long and be a bit selfish at times in terms of shot selection, but on the whole his decisions are the right ones.
But I just can't help shake the feeling that he is a red card waiting to happen. Whenever I see him charging after an opposing player that he just lost the ball to, I am always clenching my teeth and thinking 'nononononononono Jermaine its not worth it!!' He seems to have gotten himself under control a little bit more recently, but there are times where I am just terrified that we'll be playing with ten men by the time a half hour is gone. He'll be on the field in Brazil, but I'm very interested to see the direction that his role with Schalke takes. If he can be sure to be at least getting consistent minutes, then Schalke will remain on the list.
4. AZ Alkmaar
It might seem like a bit of a reach to put Alkmaar on the list, but Aron Johannsson is the TRUTH. He is scary good with his first touch on the ball, and seems like he scores almost every time he gets on the field for Alkmaar. It's hard not to get excited about the kid, considering he has put himself in basically the identical situation that Jozy was in last year. He's the featured striker for the Cheese Farmers, and has a chance to make a goal scoring run similar to Jozy's from last year. He is also in the position to make his way onto the squad for Brazil, and that would go a long way toward catapulting him on to the international radar.
At this point it seems like AJ's rise to USMNT consideration is a runaway train. The US has been searching for a backup forward to play behind Jozy and Eddie Johnson, and AJ is by far and away the most talented candidate. I love the determination that both Chris Wondolowski and Hercules Gomez bring to the table, but they just don't have the upside that AJ does. In both Wondo and Gomez's case, they do well at putting themselves in situations to capitalize on loose balls and such, but Johannsson has the technical ability to create something on his own.
Similarly to John Anthony Brooks, having Aron Johannsson just fall out of nowhere into the USMNT talent pool seems almost too good to be true. I am fascinated to see what comes of his season with the Cheese Farmers, and whether or not they'll rise even higher in my rankings. I love typing Cheese Farmers so much I wouldn't bet against it.
Honorable Mention
Rapid Vienna
FC Nantes
Rosenborg
I'm genuinely excited to see what Mix has in him for Rosenborg this year, but it's hard to include them in the top five considering their league. Bedoya at Nantes will be interesting, considering how well he played during the Gold Cup and subsequent qualifiers. And by the way, I would way rather see a Fabian Johnson-Alejandro Bedoya pairing on the left than the DaMarcus Beasley-Fabian Johnson duo we've been seeing. And I've just gotta see it form Boyd consistently before he can rise back up the list with Vienna.
Cheese Farmers.
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