As we continue our extensive review of the Premier League season, it is time to switch our attentions to Americans in the PL.
Throughout the 2013-14 PL campaign we have all been keeping an extremely close eye on the performances of the U.S. national team stars plying their trade in the English top-flight, as the World Cup in Brazil is just around the corner.
FULL COVERAGE: Premier League season review
Four USMNT players played regularly for PL teams and enjoyed contrasting fortunes throughout the season.
Here’s a look at how your American heroes performed in the PL this year, as we mark them out of 10.
Jozy Altidore - Sunderland
Oh, Jozy. It has been a season of struggle at Sunderland for the USA’s main striker. A regular under Paolo Di Canio at the start of the season, Altidore’s $11 million pricetag seemed to be weighing him down in the early stages as Sunderland scrapped around at the bottom of the standings. Low on confidence and in a team that failed to carve out regular scoring chances, life hasn’t been ideal for Alitdore at the Stadium of Light. When new boss Gus Poyet arrived Altidore has been in and out of the team and has scored just one PL goal in 31 appearances this season. However later in the campaign he often came off the bench to give the Black Cats plenty of energy and a real target up top, while I watched him live in Sunderland 3-0 derby win over Newcastle in February and his hold up play was superb. Will the 24-year-old attacker move on this summer? Let’s wait and see. Not a dream start to life back in the PL for Altidore.
Mark: 4/10
Geoff Cameron - Stoke City
A fantastic season for Cameron at Stoke City, as the 28-year-old was the Potters’ first-choice right back for the entire campaign. Cameron, in just his second season at Stoke, has now racked up 73 appearances for the Midlands club and is a fan favorite at the Britannia Stadium. His versatility is key and he can slot into central midfield or play as a center back whenever the team needs him to. Stoke finished the campaign in their highest-ever PL position of ninth as Cameron played an integral part in a stellar season which saw him often bombing on from right back and whipping in plenty of delightful crosses. He is in top form going into the World Cup and even added two goals this season to his name. Will Klinsmann play him at right back, center back or midfield this summer? Wherever Cameron plays, he’ll do a great job.
Mark: 8/10
Brad Guzan - Aston Villa
Is there another ‘keeper in the PL who gets more reps than Brad Guzan at Aston Villa? I don’t think so. Guzan has been incredibly busy once again and has kept Villa in plenty of games this season on their way to yet another successful battle against relegation. There were a few small slip ups here and there but for the most part Guzan put in another solid year in his second-straight season as Villa’s first-choice ‘keeper. 110 stops for Guzan this season, who continues to push Tim Howard all the way.
Mark: 7/10
Tim Howard - Everton
What a great year for the USMNT veteran, on and off the field. Howard helped Everton to a fifth-placed finished and a record points tally in the PL as they took the league by storm with an attractive style of play. Off the field Howard joined NBC’s Premier League coverage regularly as a color commentator and also signed a lucrative new deal with Everton that will take him up to his retirement. Howard made 111 saves, fifth most in the PL, and kept 15 clean sheets which was the second best total in the PL. His standout performance came against Arsenal at the Emirates when Everton drew 1-1 and their goal was bombarded with efforts that Howard kept out.
Mark: 8/10
Best of the rest...
It is hard to give the following guys a mark because they didn’t play in any Premier League matches, but young U.S. stopper Cody Cropper was on the bench several times for Southampton and is making a name for himself down on the South Coast as Klinsmann has called him up to the full USMNT squad. Brek Shea is still waiting to break through at Stoke but he looked useful in brief appearances in friendlies for the U.S. and also had a short spell on loan with Championship side Barnsley.
