We're almost certain you don't remember all of them.
The journey of U.S. men's national team soccer players in Europe has been filled with a number of successful, as well as forgotten stints at some of the most prestigious clubs in the world.
Some names have become synonymous with their European teams, others had brief or forgotten spells that have slipped under most of the fandom's radar.
In this list, we revisit the unexpected and often overlooked European adventures of American soccer players, highlighting the clubs you might have forgotten they played for.
From brief loan spells to short-term contracts, these players' European escapades are a fascinating chapter in the history of American soccer abroad.
American players you forgot played for these European clubs
Michael Bradley - Aston Villa
Michael Bradley's stint at Aston Villa in 2011 was brief but noteworthy. The American joined the English club on loan from Borussia Mönchengladbach during the January transfer window. Bradley made just a few appearances and was not able to secure a permanent move to the Premier League.
Sebastian Lletget - West Ham
Sebastian Lletget's time at West Ham United marked the beginning of his professional career, although it was more notable for its potential than its impact. Joining the club's youth academy in 2009, Lletget struggled to break into the first team, making only a handful of appearances. His time at West Ham was marred by injuries and limited playtime, ultimately leading him to seek more consistent playing time in MLS with LA Galaxy.
Aron Johansson - Werder Bremen
Aron Johannsson joined Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga in 2015 after a successful stint with AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands. His time at Bremen, however, was marred by injuries, which limited his appearances and impact on the team and despite showing glimpses of his potential with a few important goals and assists, Johannsson struggled to maintain consistent form.
Jozy Altidore - Villareal
Jozy Altidore's stint at Villarreal, beginning in 2008, marked a significant step in his career as one of the few American players to ever transfer to LaLiga. Joining the Spanish club from the New York Red Bulls, Altidore faced fierce competition for a starting spot in Villarreal's attacking lineup. During his time there, he made limited appearances, scoring only one league goal.
Landon Donovan - Bayern Munich
Landon Donovan's transfer to Bayern Munich during the 2008-2009 season was brief but notable. Joining on a loan from LA Galaxy during the MLS offseason, Donovan aimed to make the long-awaited impact in Europe. While he managed to showcase his skills in several friendly matches and a few Bundesliga appearances, the USMNT legend ultimately struggled to secure a permanent place in the squad.
Cameron Carter-Vickers - Spurs
Cameron Carter-Vickers had a challenging stint at Tottenham Hotspur. Despite showing promise as a youth player and making a few senior appearances, he struggled to secure a regular spot in the first team, being loaned out to several clubs, including Sheffield United, Ipswich Town and Bournemouth. His lack of consistent first-team opportunities at Tottenham led to his move to Celtic, where he has since established himself as a key player.
DaMarcus Beasley - Manchester City
DaMarcus Beasley joined Manchester City in 2007 on loan from PSV Eindhoven. During his stint with City, Beasley showcased his talent as a dynamic winger (able to play as both an attacker and defender), contributing with plenty of goals and assists. He would go on to score three goals in 18 appearances, igniting a move to Scotland's Rangers the next summer.
Tim Howard - Manchester United
Tim Howard's stint at Manchester United began in 2003 when he joined the club from the MLS side (and now extinct) MetroStars. Though, despite a strong start — including saving the decisive penalty in the Community Shield against Arsenal — his career at Old Trafford was marked by inconsistent performances and the eventual arrival of Edwin van der Sar, which limited his playing time as starting goalkeeper. Howard made 77 appearances for United before moving to Everton in 2006, where he enjoyed a more prolonged and successful Premier League career.
Timothy Weah - PSG
Timothy Weah's time at Paris Saint-Germain marked the early stages of his professional career. Joining the club's youth academy in 2014, Weah progressed through the ranks and made his senior debut in March 2018. Despite limited first-team opportunities in a star-studded squad, Weah managed to score his first goal for PSG in a Ligue 1 match against Caen in August 2018. He would go on to join LOSC Lille in 2019.
