January 31 is a crazy day in soccer because the transfer market closes in England and other countries. It’s the last opportunity for players to move until the summer. This year was no different as their was plenty of action right up until the midnight deadline, including players from the United States men’s national team.
The U.S. had a big problem at central midfield in the 2010 World Cup, but two big loan moves to the Premier League might help clear it up. Schalke midfielder Jermaine Jones went to Blackburn Rovers and has already contributed. He was the man of the match in his debut, helping Blackburn to a 2-0 win over West Ham United.
Also, Michael Bradley was secured on loan from bottom dweller German club Brossuia Mönchengladbach to Aston Villa. The deal includes an option to make it permanent for £6 millions this summer. Bradley started in the MLS (Major League Soccer) at age 16 and has progressed to the Premiership by age 23. He was also on the U.S. starting XI. One more move was forward Jozy Altidore going on loan for six months from Villarreal to Turkish champion Bursaspor.
With fellow U.S. midfielders Stu Holden (Bolton Wanderers) and Maurice Edu (Glasgow Rangers) already playing overseas, these moves bode well for the future of the U.S. men’s national team. These players will be facing some of the world’s best competition week in and week out. The improvement is already apparent in U.S. defender Jay DeMerit, who is back with Vancouver in the MLS after spending a season at Watford in the Premier League.