<div style="float: left;margin-right: 5px"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/sports/freddy-adu/image/5307291?term=Freddy+Adu" target="_blank"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" src="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/5307291/freddy-adu/freddy-adu.jpg?size=234&amp;imageId=5307291" border="0" alt="Freddy Adu signs an American flag. USA defeated Grenada 4-0 during the First Round of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington on July 4, 2009. Photo via Newscom" width="234" height="351"></figure></div></a></div>
The news that Wolves and U.S. national team keeper Marcus Hahnemann is <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=839906&amp;sec=england&amp;cc=5901&amp;cc=5901" target="_blank">open to retuning to MLS</a> in 2011 got me thinking about other Americans abroad.&nbsp; As the MLS has matured in a good and competitive soccer league, it is no longer absurd to think a world-class player could play in MLS.&nbsp; This is true of younger players who are the future of the USMNT and may want to be close to the coaching staff to increase their chances of making the squad.&nbsp; And, as we have seen with some of the designated player signings, MLS is a good location for older players who may want to market themselves or play in the U.S.&nbsp; For Americans, it is a chance to return home and play in front of family and friends.
With that in mind, here are five Americans I want to see return to MLS in the near future, either to further their development or to spend the rest of their career.&nbsp; I tried to be realistic with this list and not include those players who obviously are benefiting from playing overseas, so you will not see a Tim Howard or Michael Bradley below.&nbsp; But who did I miss or do you disagree with my selections?&nbsp; Sound off in the comments.
Freddy Adu
I will admit I am firmly pro-Adu.&nbsp; His time in MLS was marred with unrealistic expectations, and his time overseas has seen him bounce from club to club.&nbsp; He is still on the national team radar, however, and there is a slight chance he could get the call up for the South Africa friendly.&nbsp; To be honest, I think the level of play in MLS has exceeded that of Aris (his current club), but the stumbling block may be his price tag.&nbsp; He is making decent money overseas, but I hope he considers a return stateside to be closer to the USMNT coaching staff.
Marcus Hahnemann
Sort of an obvious choice, I look forward to a possible return by the keeper.&nbsp; Even at 38, he is a top notch keeper and would be a good edition to a West Coast club, where he could be close to his Washington home.&nbsp; And, even though Tim Howard is the #1 keeper, he still has a chance at taking over the top spot if Howard is injured or through poor play.&nbsp; Vancouver currently has Jay Nolly penciled in as their starter, so there is an opportunity there.
Herculez Gomez
While he has only been gone from MLS for a season, the US men’s national team starter excelled for Puebla, tying for the lead in goals scored and setting the record for most goals scored by an American.&nbsp; His MLS career was filled with bad coaching matches and untimely injuries, but I would still like to see him maybe play for a Chivas and provide them with some star power.
Jay DeMerit
This is an obvious one.&nbsp; Jay DeMerit is looking for a job, and the prospects of a top-flight European league are slim.&nbsp; He is a former MLS prospect, has international club experience, and played in the most recent World Cup.&nbsp; What’s the downside here?&nbsp; Someone who needs a defender should come in and swipe him up as soon as January rolls around.
Michael Parkhurst
The defender was a member of his boyhood club the New England Revolution before he departed in 2008 for Denmark.&nbsp; MLS should make an attempt to woo him back after his three year deal expires.&nbsp; He was quality when he played in the states, and if he wants to be a fixture in the USMNT lineup playing in front of Bob Bradley can only help.

Five US Players I Want to See in MLS

Five US Players I Want to See in MLS - World Soccer Talk

<a href="http://view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=us national team&amp;iid=8951694" target="_blank"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/d/0/9/d/The_US_national_2e5e.jpg?adImageId=13079148&amp;imageId=8951694" border="0" alt="The US national soccer team poses for a photograph before their international friendly soccer match in Philadelphia Pennsylvania" width="500" height="325"></figure></div></a>
This Saturday marks the last tune up match the United States have before they take the field June 12 against England in their World Cup opener.&nbsp; After four years of building his squad, Bradley still has some questions that still need to be cleared up before the South African campaign begins.&nbsp; Here is my lineup.&nbsp; It allows the establish players to gain more cohesion as group and at the same time it provides Bradley with a few answers.&nbsp; Feel free to post your starting 11.
Forwards:&nbsp; Jozy Altidore and Herculez Gomez
In the last match Jozy started to show signs of what all US fans hoped he would be after a season in the Premiership. Give the big man another run out to help him find his game.&nbsp; After the disappointing end to his season at Hull City, he needs as much confidence as possible.&nbsp; As for his partner I choose Gomez.&nbsp; Robbie Findley only improved his chances of seeing the field June 12th, but we need to see what Gomez can bring as a starter. He is an established entity as a super sub, and my reasoning is that he has had a better season, in a more competitive league than Findley. Show us what you got Herc!
Midfielders: &nbsp;Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Jose Francisco Torres, Landon Donovan
Torres skill in the Turkey match was a revelation to all watching.&nbsp; It was what we all wanted to see since the loss of Claudio Reyna and John O’Brien, but can he do it for the full 90, that is my question and that is what I want to see on Saturday. I would trade Maurice Edu for Michael Bradley at the half to see how that combo works in midfield, and I would also like to see Beasley and Holden come in for Deuce and Donovan later on as I feel this guys all have the potential to be subs that can come in and score, something the US has lone needed.
Defenders:&nbsp; Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Jay Demerit, Steve Cherundolo
This is it for Gooch; show us that you have fully recovered. Allay all the fears that US fans had after seeing him get beat in the Czech match; build on the solid showing you had in the Turkey.&nbsp; The same can be said for Bocanegra, prove your match fitness.&nbsp; We have been hearing everything is ok all training camp, show us fellas.&nbsp; Lastly, with having Cherundolo as the right back it would give the US a chance to work on covering him when he bombs up the right, something that Demerit and Bradley had trouble to doing in the early stages of the last match when Spector was in. &nbsp;If Bocanegra can’t go the full 90 I would like to see Spector come in as a left back sub, as Bornstein showed me that he was incapable up handling the speed of the international game.
&nbsp;Let’s hope Australia puts out a strong team so we can see what our boys are capable of and if they have learned anything from their previous matches.

Who Should the US Start Against Australia?

Who Should the US Start Against Australia? - World Soccer Talk

Latest news from Jay DeMerit. Find out about all the news related to Jay DeMerit on worldsoccertalk.com

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Jay DeMerit"

News

Five US Players I Want to See in MLS

News

Who Should the US Start Against Australia?