What Americans abroad will impress Bruce Arena?

Steve Davis of the Dallas Morning News has a solid piece on what Americans working in the European leagues might catch Arena's eye. As he points out, if someone wants to make the squad for the World Cup, they better show something during the first half of the season because the spring might be to late.

A couple things I want to point out from the article. First, Daivs is dead on with his take on defender Jonathan Spector.

"Beginning play this weekend is the esteemed English Premier League, where Manchester United has loaned Jonathan Spector, 19, to Charlton. That's great news for the talented defender from outside Chicago.

Manchester United looks great on a young man's resume. But he had little chance of cracking Alex Ferguson's first 11. And an untested youngster riding the bench is of little use to Arena.

At Charlton, he'll be much more of an option to start."

It is great to be involved with a club like Man U, but if you are not a big name, you will not be playing much and that will hurt you later in your career.

Then there is DaMarcus Beasley who, if he stays healthy, has a great chance at starting for the Red, White and Blue. However, he missed a big match last week, and might find himself getting less field time because of it.

"Things haven't started so well for winger DaMarcus Beasley, who shined as a regular off-the-bench offensive spark last year for surprising PSV in the Netherlands. He is recovering from a hamstring injury and did not make PSV's 19-man squad for last week's high-profile Johan Cruyff Shield match against fellow Dutch power Ajax."

I'm also pleased that he talked about goalkeepers. So go give it a read.