American Players Abroad

In a certain light, Shaq Moore could be looked upon as a blueprint for young Americans looking to develop careers in professional soccer. The 21-year-old fullback spent time in the IMG Academy and the FC Dallas Academy before moving to Spain, where he rose through the reserve divisions and currently plays for Levante in the Primera Division. He has even appeared against Barcelona.

However, to hear him tell it, there is no blueprint.

Was it meant to be a cross?

Probably.

Do we care?

No.

Does Christian Pulisic care?

Also no.

The American international opened the scoring for Borussia Dortmund against Stuttgart Sunday with this very silly thing:

It may have been a cross, but he'll take it! 

“The football I grew up playing is no longer there. Today, all players care about are their cars, their shoes with their names on, and their image. While for me, the only thing that counted was football. Nothing else.” -Miroslav Klose

Football is under attack. It’s a sentiment that, regardless of how much it resonates with you, is often expressed and passionately argued. Whatever the reason, be it the influx of money, the unsporting concentration of talent or the diminished draw of the international game, there’s cause for cynicism. 

Age 21, standing at 6-4 and hailing from Muskego, Wisconsin, you probably think you know the USMNT’s latest salvation at the forward position, Andrija Novakovich. You’ve probably sketched a mental outline of a big, blundering center forward with an affinity for Milwaukee’s Best, but we mustn’t forget that Harry Kane was similarly written off for being a chubby, traveling salesman-looking version of Butt-head. 

Landon Donovan has gotten off the mark for his new club, Leon. In a sense, that is. We'll give it to him.

Donovan came on as a substitute in Leon's Copa MX clash against Atletico Zacatepec, and managed to stick around until the penalty shootout.

Leon ended up losing the shootout 7-6, but one of the penalty takers was talented American youngster Landon Donovan.

WHACK.

Club América vs. Tauro delivered an entertaining CONCACAF Champions League fixture last night.

Barely 3,000 fans attended the game at Estadio Azteca as Las Águilas hosted Panama's powerhouse Club Tauro.

Even after Tauro achieved a shock victory against Dallas FC in the round of 16, it was expected that Miguel Herrera's pupils would come out victorious.

Hey, this all turned out well for American soccer. Thanks to FC Dallas’ shitshow performance against Tauro FC, the MLS side got to avoid getting spanked by Club America in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals, and look who’s now doing the spanking — it’s Angeleno Joe Corona! 

According to the latest rumors from Sky Sports, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is interested in signing Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund this summer for around $100 million as he “sees the value in having the poster boy for football in America at his disposal.” 

Is the move all that far-fetched? No.

Leon's shiny new (used) American import, Landon Donovan, celebrated his 36th birthday on Sunday, and his Leon teammates celebrated it with him by shoving cake into his face during training. 

Y al final de nuestro entrenamiento, @landondonovan y Burbano fueron festejados así... pic.twitter.com/8CzSlRqBiC

Timothy Weah, the son of former Ballon d’Or winner George Weah, made his senior debut for Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday, coming on as a 79th minute substitute in the club’s victory over Troyes in Ligue 1 play. Timothy just celebrated his 18th birthday on Feb. 22, and the native of New York City almost snatched a goal on his first appearance.