Global Soccer Center
    HOME   |    England   |    Mexico   |    Italy   |    Spain   |    Germany   |    Competitions   |    Match Center   |    Video   |    Shop
11/27/2009 2:56 PM ET

MLS Alums: A world of thanks

Host of former MLS standouts earning respective clubs' gratitude
By Mark C. Young / Special to MLSnet.com
  • • MLS Alums: Weekly roundup
  • • MLS Alums Tracker

    • The Craven Cottage faithful have been very thankful for ex-Rev Clint Dempsey.
    The Craven Cottage faithful have been very thankful for ex-Rev Clint Dempsey. (PA Wire)
    The most wonderful holiday of the year is upon us: Thanksgiving. It's a holiday everyone can celebrate, and its premise is something we can all embrace. Even in these challenging times, we all have something to give thanks for. For instance, while I've been writing I've received an email telling me, "You have been chosen to receive the blessing of the Snow Fairy." Now, surely, that's something to give thanks for. Over in Europe the Thanksgiving holiday may be just another Thursday in November, but several teams should be giving thanks for their MLS alums.

    Take St. Johnstone. Not the most glamorous of teams, but in this strange SPL season where Rangers and Celtic seem to take turns in getting beaten on a weekly basis, the Johnnies are the third-leading scorers in the division with 19 goals. Former Toronto FC striker Collin Samuel leads the way for St. Johnstone with four SPL goals and six overall. Alas, Derek McInnes's defense has conceded more goals than any other team in Scotland's top flight, leaving the club only eighth in the standings. Imagine where they would be without Samuel's goals. Pause for thought and something else to give thanks for if you live in Perthshire.

    Take Aston Villa. While Randy Lerner is no doubt preoccupied with taking calls from Jim Brown, Mike Holmgren and the agent of every Browns player begging him to fire Eric Mangini as the Cleveland head coach, he can give thanks for Ohio-native (and former Columbus Crew goalkeeper) Brad Friedel. The EPL "Ironman" continues to be a commanding presence in goal for the Villa. Only Chelsea (eight goals) and Manchester United (12 goals) have conceded fewer goals this season than Lerner's Villans, who have leaked only 13 goals.

    Take Fulham. The Cottagers fans still have fond memories of Chicago Fire ace Brian McBride's time at Craven Cottage. And now they have a new American hero: Clint Dempsey. The former Revs star has scored five goals for Fulham so far this season, including a brace against Blackburn on Wednesday. He helped Fulham to a best-ever EPL seventh place last season, and is a big factor in the West Londoners' European and EPL ambitions this season.

    Take Plymouth Argyle. Who better to give thanks on Thanksgiving than the Pilgrims. Paul Mariner's arrival back in the original Plymouth as head coach has proved a big spark for Argyle. Prior to Saturday's last gasp 1-0 loss at Leicester City, the arrival of the former Revs assistant had produced a run of three straight games without defeat. Plymouth is probably in for a season-long relegation battle, but with Mariner handling the coaching duties there is fresh optimism at the Mayflower's port of departure.

    Take Borussia Moenchengladbach. Earlier in the season it was pretty clear that Foals manager Michael Frontzeck wasn't giving much thanks for the attitude of former MetroStars midfielder Michael Bradley. But somewhere on the way to a potential season-long relegation battle, Frontzeck and Bradley mended fences and the U.S. national team star won back his starting spot. Gladbach are currently riding a four-game unbeaten streak and contemplating the joys of mid-table mediocrity. If that sounds a tad negative, well, it certainly beats fighting for survival at the bottom of the league.

    Speaking of which, take Blackburn Rovers. It has been a tough start to the season for the Ewood Park outfit, but a recent spate of good form has seen Rovers shoot up the EPL table to 11th place. A big factor in the Rovers' return is former D.C. United skipper Ryan Nelsen. Blackburn's field general struggled with injury at the beginning of the season and missed several games. It is no coincidence that since his return to the team, Blackburn have steadied the ship and begun to turn their season around.

    Now granted, not everyone is giving thanks for MLS alums. Two members of the U.S. national team squad at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, ex-LA Galaxy defender Danny Califf and ex-Chicago Fire midfielder DaMarcus Beasley, have barely kicked a ball in anger this season for FC Midtjylland (Denmark) and Glasgow Rangers (Scotland) respectively. Just this week Palermo fired former Revs head coach Walter Zenga. He joined former MetroStars midfielder Roberto Donadoni on the Serie A unemployment role, Donadoni having been axed by Napoli early on in the campaign. Despite those setbacks it's undeniable that the MLS footprint is growing across the world.

    According to various reports, Ricardo Clark, Stuart Holden, Chris Rolfe, Yura Movsisyan and, yes, Landon Donovan are either heading to Europe or contemplating a move across the pond. Where, of course, they could bump into David Beckham playing on loan for AC Milan again. Beckham, though, has promised to come back to these shores. And after his performances for the Galaxy during the 2009 season, that is something to give thanks for as well.

    Mark C. Young is an Emmy Award-winning freelance writer/TV producer who has covered several FIFA World Cups and Olympic Games. He is a contributor to Goal.com and also writes for the blog "No Mas."

    Global Headlines