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Rumors abound that American international Geoff Cameron is being courted both within the Premier League as well as on the continent. <a href="http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2014/08/25/us-star-geoff-cameron-lined-up-by-italian-giants-lazio-numerous-pl-clubs/">ProSoccerTalk links Cameron</a> to a number of clubs, the biggest name being traditional Serie A contender Lazio.
But recent moves to big clubs have hampered many an American abroad. From Clint Dempsey to Jozy Altidore, Maurice Edu to Michael Bradley, a move up the prestige ladder isn’t always a guarantee of good times. It’s something that should make Cameron think twice about taking a step up.
Cameron featured for the Potters as soon as he made the move to England, but thus far in the new campaign he has not played a minute for Mark Hughes. While Cameron gained a transfer to England on his performances as a central defender at the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/08/24/lee-dixons-criticism-of-referee-kevin-friend-was-unwarranted/">Houston Dynamo</a>, then manager Tony Pulis inserted Cameron at right-back in his four central defender setup.
Last year, Hughes stuck with Cameron at right-back after the departure of Pulis. But in the summer he signed a natural fullback in Phil Bardsley which has pushed Cameron to the bench, at least for the time being.
There are other Premier League sides interested in Cameron. But each of those clubs – primarily Southampton, Sunderland, and Hull City – would be lateral moves at best. Lazio, who at one time were consistent challengers for Champions League spots in Italy, would certainly be a big jump up for the suburban Bostonian.
That is the type of situation that would impress USMNT head coach <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/07/13/jurgen-klinsmann-and-his-role-in-germanys-2014-world-cup-win/">Jurgen Klinsmann</a>. The German has long stressed the importance of players challenging themselves at the highest level. Lazio’s history of aspirations towards greatness would likely please Klinsmann.
Another important aspect could be the chance for Cameron to slot in at one of his natural positions. PST reports that would be possible at Lazio, as well as some of the other interested EPL clubs. With Ryan Shawcross, Marc Wilson, and Robert Huth at Stoke, Cameron’s chances of getting time centrally are scant.
So why not move?
While Cameron rides the bench at Stoke City right now, Bardsley was not very impressive with the Black Cats the last couple of years. He has also had issues with discipline off the pitch. Perhaps with hard work on the training ground, Cameron could regain the spot at right-back again.
It’s also been well documented the difficulties American players have had bedding in at a new club. We saw this in Italy last year, with Michael Bradley leaving Chievo a hero and becoming surplus to requirements at Roma. His best shot for playing time approaching the World Cup came from a transfer back to North America, at Toronto F.C.
Cameron may be best served moving within the Premier League, especially one that will play him centrally. He is well acquainted with the players and style within the EPL, and should quickly mesh into a side such as Southampton or Hull City. It’s true that both of those teams could be in for a fight to avoid relegation, but there are no guarantees for the Potters to remain safe either.
Sunderland are also reported to be interested, and that would be an intriguing proposition. They also employ embattled US striker Jozy Altidore. Perhaps a fellow Statesider on the squad would help settle Altidore, who really needs to regain the form he once had at A.Z. Alkmaar in the Eredivisie.
Whether it’s remaining at Stoke, moving within the Premier League or sliding into a more prestigious side like Lazio, Cameron needs to judge the situation wisely. Bigger money can be tempting, but it doesn’t always result in a happy ending.

Geoff Cameron Must be Calculated and Logical About His Playing Future

Geoff Cameron Must be Calculated and Logical About His Playing Future - World Soccer Talk

In the United States, we are used to the best. &nbsp;The best cars, the best electronics, the best TV shows, everything we have is the best. &nbsp;Even if we did not make it or create it, we still want it here in the U.S. &nbsp;So when the best version of a product cannot been found here in the U.S., we enter a state of denial. &nbsp;It’s an unnatural state for us.
This past twelve months, when players like Brek Shea left MLS to go overseas, a state of panic hit MLS fandom. &nbsp;We were used to up-and-coming players leaving, players like Tim Ream who seemingly needed to go abroad to reach their full potential. &nbsp;These players were names, but the Tim Reams of the world were not the faces of MLS; they left before they could become that. &nbsp;But when guys like Geoff Cameron and Shea leave, these are the faces of the league. &nbsp;We assume that the league has a plan to establish identity guys besides Landon Donovan that are MLS and don’t need to go to England to become professionally actualized.
The fact is though, MLS is a feeder league. &nbsp;In fact, all but maybe three or four leagues worldwide are feeder leagues. &nbsp;Soccer internationally has the behemoths – the Barclays Premier League, La Liga, and the Bundesliga with Serie A and Ligue Un trying to enter that upper echelon. &nbsp;These leagues have the best teams, the best leagues, and the best coaches. &nbsp;Players dream of playing in these leagues because they are the best, and if you want to prove yourself you need to go against the best.
The best also have the money. &nbsp;Manchester United’s sponsorship deals are a dream to MLS teams – they would likely be thrilled with the amount the Reds get for their jersey sponsorship alone. &nbsp;The best money means better wages and MLS simply cannot compete financially. &nbsp;Initially this may not be the case – the league could possibly match what Geoff Cameron is making in his current contract. &nbsp;But if Cameron plays well, the next one would be well beyond their means. &nbsp;Based on his name recognition, the league simply cannot spend the kind of money required to keep players from jumping overseas, especially if it means overpaying them.
All this said, being a feeder league is not a bad place to be. &nbsp;Since 98% of soccer leagues worldwide are in the same position, MLS is in no way unique. &nbsp;This is especially true since the league has only been in existence for less than 20 years; AS Roma wasn’t built in a day. &nbsp;MLS is growing into a league that has garnered some international attention and as the quality of players grow so will the quality of the league. &nbsp;It will likely be a while until it can aspire to reach the level of the EPL, but we do not necessarily need to be the best right now.
So if MLS is a feeder league, what should be the league’s strategy for growth? &nbsp;To become a North American power. &nbsp;Currently Liga MX and maybe Costa Rica’s top flight league are king of the continent, but MLS has some major advantages. &nbsp;The draw of playing in the U.S. while still being able to retain cultural ties helps players from Latin America feel comfortable coming to the U.S. &nbsp;As MLS draws the best players from the Latin American leagues – but especially Central America and eventually Mexico – its standing will grow. &nbsp;Already we are seeing CONCACAF teams full of MLS players. &nbsp;To help this trend MLS teams will need to begin winning the CONCACAF Champions League and competing in the Club World Cup, a very attainable goal.
In the future, MLS will continue to be a feeder league. &nbsp;And that’s ok. &nbsp;As long as it continues to grow in North America and recognize the limits and growth potential, MLS will be successful in the global soccer community.

MLS '13 - Accepting MLS as a Feeder League - World Soccer Talk

MLS '13 – Accepting MLS as a Feeder League

On Sunday, Geoff Cameron was named man-of-the-match in his first game for his new team, Stoke City. &nbsp;After weeks of waiting and paperwork, Cameron was finally able to take the pitch after a transfer that continued the gradual march of quality U.S. players into higher leagues. &nbsp;Playing midfield (!) his City team held the usually high-scoring Arsenal to a scoreless draw and added another point to a total that, by the end of the season, will undoubtedly be enough to remain in the top flight of the best soccer league in the world.
On the heals of this successful debut, national teammate and sometimes backline mate <a href="http:\/\/nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/48787984/ns/sports-soccer/" target="_blank">Maurice Edu announced that he had freed himself</a> from the mess that was Rangers in the Scottish system and was coming to Stoke. &nbsp;The move brought memories of past U.S. players gathering at prominent teams, including Landon Donovan and Tim Howard at Everton, pairings that brought the less glamorous (at least in casual soccer fans’ eyes) teams into the U.S. consciousness. &nbsp;Two U.S. national team players potentially starting for the same EPL side would naturally lead one to think that Stoke City would become a more recognized, acknowledged, and embraced side for U.S. soccer fans. &nbsp;It also seemingly fulfills U.S. national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s desire to have more of his players playing at a higher level.
But before we all go out and buy our striped Britannia shirts, I would suggest that this exodus of U.S. talent to Staffordshire is actually a negative to the U.S. national team and I think we will rue the day both players joined the side. &nbsp;For those unaware, the Potters play a style of football that can generously be called survivalist and traditional or, more accurately and more negatively, can be called dragging soccer back into the 1960s. &nbsp;The strategy for Tony Pulis’s side is simple: pack your own end of the field with as ten of your starting 11 and, when you finally gain possession of the ball, hoof it&nbsp;up-field&nbsp;to your target man (this season, English national Peter Crouch). &nbsp;To call this a defensive style is slightly misleading, as it is rather a physical style where the defenders will do what they can to dispossess the opposition of the ball. &nbsp;Away teams going into the Britannia know they will come out black and blue, and they will struggle for every chance on net they get. &nbsp;Against the Potters, an away draw is usually a very good thing.
<a href="http:\/\/epltalk.com/give-me-your-stoke-city-your-west-ham-your-everton-yearning-to-breathe-free-46140" target="_blank">That is not to say that such a style of play is reprehensible</a> (<a href="http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/08/26/stoke-city-fans-boo-aaron-ramsey-again_n_1831352.html?utm_hp_ref=uk" target="_blank">at least until they, say, break someone’s leg</a>). &nbsp;The fact is Stoke City are way out of the spending league of teams at the top of the EPL table, and their embrace of this physical style have allowed them to stay up in the top flight since 2008. &nbsp;But their style is not the style of play that Klinsmann is trying to impose on his team and it is actually quite the opposite. &nbsp;Klinsmann wants the national team to play a smooth passing,&nbsp;possession&nbsp;based but attacking style of play. &nbsp;This is the exact opposite of how Stoke approach a game and I wonder if the vast difference in play will negatively impact Edu and Cameron. &nbsp;Players are often asked to play multiple styles between national and club teams, but this instance may be different.
Why? The positional play will be different for both teams. &nbsp;Edu has normally played as a holding midfielder in the U.S. system but after his successful stint in the Mexico friendly, there may be a future at that position in the next World Cup. &nbsp;Cameron lined up in the midfield on Sunday but his national team future is seemingly in the backline. &nbsp;For players who have struggled to establish a set position nationally, this back and forth could hinder the U.S. team. &nbsp;Both of these players should be playing for a team that will at least be nominally similar in style and playing the positions where they look most promising. &nbsp;If that is in the Championship or another league, so be it. &nbsp;When Jurgen Klinsmann said he wanted his pool of players to play at the highest level, this is not what he meant. &nbsp;I hope we do not regret these signings, especially at such a critical position, but I suspect we will.

The Americanization of Stoke City is Bad for the U.S. National Team - World Soccer Talk

The Americanization of Stoke City is Bad for the U.S. National Team

“In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king” said <a href="http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desiderius_Erasmus" target="_blank">a famous philosopher</a>&nbsp;centuries ago, but he may as well have been writing for MLS Talk about the 2011 Eastern Conference champions. &nbsp;The Houston Dynamo took advantage of a weak conference and a hot streak to face the Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS Cup last season. &nbsp;This is not to take anything away from the Dynamo: they are a very talented team centered around 2011 revelations Tally Hall, Geoff Cameron, and Brad Davis. &nbsp;To dismiss this team as a one-year wonder could be a mistake, as they return most of their conference championship line-up in 2012 as well as their most critical component: Dominic Kinnear.
However, the team does face some critical questions in the new year, questions that require some attention in the few months remaining before First Kick 2012. &nbsp;As such, here are “Three Questions” about the Houston Dynamo:
1. Who will play up front?
The big offseason story for the Dynamo (more than the stadium naming or the rumor that AEG might sell their stake in the club) is that legend <a href="http:\/\/www.chron.com/sports/dynamo/article/Ching-will-not-retire-will-report-to-Montreal-2444014.php" target="_blank">Brian Ching has accepted his role as a member of the Montreal Impact </a>(for background see the article<a href="http:\/\/www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/the-agony-and-ecstasy-of-brian-ching-14775" target="_blank"> I wrote late last year</a>). &nbsp;While it allows the club to move forward without sacrificing a good player to Montreal and with a little more cap space, the impact (no pun intended) of Ching being left unprotected will resonate with the fans and their view of management. &nbsp;Setting that aside, the loss also leaves the team with a bit of a <a href="http:\/\/www.houstondynamo.com/news/2011/12/dynamo-say-2012-roster-requires-tweaks-not-reinvention" target="_blank">gap at the forward position</a>, especially considering that Carlo Costly has moved on to Atlas.
Currently, the club has three forwards under contract: Calen Carr, Will Bruin, and Cam Weaver. &nbsp;All three are good players, none of them are currently consistent top-level goal scorers the team needs to take&nbsp;advantage&nbsp;of Brad Davis’s assists. &nbsp;While the team has limited cap space (more on this below) they need to find that Blas Perez-type consistent, veteran presence who they know will finish the chances the midfield will create.
2. Is the defense the best in MLS, or as good as it looks?
Don’t look know, but Houston may be challenging Los Angeles and Real Salt Lake for the best defense in the league. &nbsp;It may not be this year, but probably soon. &nbsp;Start with keeper Tally Hall, who made a huge step forward last season to enter into top-flight MLS keeper status with an excellent year. &nbsp;In his late twenties, he is approaching the prime years for a keeper and looks to add some polish to his already impressive game.
In front of Hall is a back line that is coming together nicely. &nbsp;Bobby Boswell and Geoff Cameron form a good center back pairing that lacks the pizazz of some other partnerships, but is effective for the team. &nbsp;The two starting full backs (Andre Hainault and Corey Ashe) look to have established themselves as ideal for the positions. &nbsp;Right now Houston does not have the best defense in MLS, but with an offseason of growth we may soon be speaking of them with the likes of Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Real Salt Lake.
3. What’s the money situation?
Ownership has already made a few moves to bolster the team, specifically making a trade to acquire <a href="http:\/\/www.dynamotheory.com/2012/1/5/2669654/what-should-houston-expect-from-nathan-sturgis" target="_blank">Nathan Sturgis</a> from wheeling-dealing Toronto FC. &nbsp;However, ownership has stressed that they will be making do with little cap space. &nbsp;These pronouncements come at an odd time: the <a href="http:\/\/www.chron.com/sports/dynamo/article/New-Dynamo-stadium-project-aided-by-help-of-BBVA-2404149.php" target="_blank">new stadium</a> has a naming-rights deal and the team even has a <a href="http:\/\/www.chron.com/sports/dynamo/article/KPRC-will-broadcast-six-Dynamo-games-this-season-2446168.php" target="_blank">small local TV deal</a>. &nbsp;However, the biggest financial question mark is the announcement by AEG that <a href="http:\/\/www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/sports/soccer/111214-dynamo-co-owner-aeg-will-sell-it&apos;s-share-of-the-franchise" target="_blank">they want to sell their 50% stake in the team</a>. &nbsp;This is a positive development for the league (anyone who says last year’s MLS Cup was not a conflict of interest is crazy) but how the salaries will be managed until the deal is complete may <a href="http:\/\/www.dynamotheory.com/2012/1/5/2684067/reality-bytes-why-there-will-be-no-dp-this-offseason" target="_blank">limit the team’s&nbsp;financial&nbsp;flexibility</a>. &nbsp;Keep an eye on this situation.

Sustained Run or One-Hit Wonder? Three Questions for Houston Dynamo - World Soccer Talk

Sustained Run or One-Hit Wonder? Three Questions for Houston Dynamo

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Geoff Cameron Must be Calculated and Logical About His Playing Future

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MLS '13 – Accepting MLS as a Feeder League

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The Americanization of Stoke City is Bad for the U.S. National Team

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Sustained Run or One-Hit Wonder? Three Questions for Houston Dynamo