Photo by ISIphotos.com

It is that time of year again. Time for European leagues to kick off and time for American players to ply their trade throughout Europe (and Mexico).

This week marked the first week for the English Premier League and German Bundesliga, meaning several names joined the list of Americans playing abroad.

Click to continue reading...

Brad Friedel and Marcus Hahnemann had successful season debuts in goal, but Tim Howard was not as fortunate as the Premiership joined the rest of English soccer. Click to continue reading...

France's Ligue 1 got underway tonight as 19 teams try to break Olympique Lyon's 7-year grip on the championship. American defender Carlos Bocanegra anchored the central defense for Stade Rennais in a battle with traditional power Olympique Marseille. It did not help matters that going into the match, star striker Sylvain Wiltord had been suspended after criticizing coach Guy LaCombe in an interview with L'Equipe. Click to continue reading...

Though I'm obviously traveling, English soccer waits for no Olympics. The lower divisions start this weekend, which means we need to keep an eye on the Championship team we've picked (Nottingham Forest) and a team with a couple of Americans (Reading -- Marcus Hahnemann and Bobby Convey).

That'll be easy this week -- they're playing each other.

Click to continue reading...

Check out this wild interview with Marcus Hahnemann by FourFourTwo.

Maybe one or two conventional questions throughout. Here's a sample.

Would you rather listen to non-stop hip-hop on unremovable headphones for six months, or have a limb broken with a mallet?

Click to continue reading...

Part III: The Post-1998 World Cup Breakout

By now, most of the trailblazers had returned home to play in Major League Soccer (MLS); Caligiuri to Los Angeles, Wynalda to San Jose, Harkes to DC United, and Lalas to New England. Nonetheless, the number of American players in Europe exploded to unprecedented numbers with over 20 playing in Germany alone – a combination of established professionals, young players, and journeymen. Click to continue reading...

Here's my effort to track players (all nationalities) on their way to MLS, MLS players heading elsewhere and U.S. players moving from foreign team to foreign team during this transfer window. The window to MLS closes Aug. 15. The window in Europe closes Aug. 31.

If I've forgotten someone, please speak up, with two caveats:

1.

Click to continue reading...

Marcus Hahnemann told the Reading Evening Post this week that he plans on Reading having a short stay in the Championship. The American keeper acknowledged the tough time the Royals had last year against the bigger clubs but believes they can earn their way back to the Premiership this season. Click to continue reading...

Brian McBride and Clint Dempsey started for the Cottagers as they trounced a sad looking Reading squad. Steve Coppell's side forgot how to attack - and you know that happened when Andre Bikey is the only one that can find a shot on net. Kasey Keller manned the nets as Roy Hodgson shattered his "only [. Click to continue reading...

Rating: 5 (Very Good)

According to this report on Setanta Sports web site, the Reading goalkeeper and heavy metal fan may be headed to the new Seattle Sounders next season. Hahnemann's contract runs out at Reading in the summer of 2009.

"We have always thought eventually when we're done that we would go back, but you never know when that will be.

Click to continue reading...

To call last weekend a bad one for American soccer plays in Europe would be an understatement.

Fulham lost again, as did Reading. Michael Bradley's Heerenveen blew a late lead and fell to sixth place in the Eredivisie after being in second place two weeks ago. Oguchi Onyewu's Standard Liege dropped points to KAA Gent and fell into second place in the process.

Click to continue reading...

Reading are in the relegation zone and Marcus Hahnemann has issued a rallying cry of sorts to his team-mates. It's been a horrible 2008 for the Royals, who have lost their last seven league matches and the Reading Post report that their keeper wants the squad to show they have the stomach (and another part [. Click to continue reading...

Michael Bradley didn't let his US/Mexico disappearance get to him and continued his scoring ways for Heerenveen. This time, the 20 year old halted PSV's dominance of the Frisians with a 52nd minute equalizer. It's 17th goal overall, 13th in Eredivisie play. See below... Danny Szetela - newly loaned out to Brescia of the Serie B [. Click to continue reading...

STANDINGS Saturday, December 8th Portsmouth 3, Aston Villa 1 Pompey is starting to look like the squad I had originally predicted at the beginning of the year. Both Sulley Muntari and Niko Kranjcar have almost full adapted to EPL play and are now driving that midfield to productivity. It was Muntari's day though scoring two in the 40th and 61st minute and putting the [. Click to continue reading...

Saturday, December 1st, 2007Â Chelsea 1, West Ham 0 Jon Spector played the last 10 minutes, but he came on too late to stop former Hammer Joe Cole from spoiling a decent West Ham performance. Steve Sidwell is starting to get starts for Chelsea - who have now moved past Man City in the standings. Sunderland 1, Derby [. Click to continue reading...

In a recent interview with TimesOnline, American Marcus Hahnemann revealed that he is certainly a bit bothered by what he claims to be a lack of loyalty shown by Reading to him.

"The whole idea is that you show loyalty and they show it back but I guess I have to wait for mine to come to me."

JDJ says: As an obvious part of Reading's rise to the Premier League and their success last season, it seems as though Hahnemann does have something to complain about. Click to continue reading...

Here's a video of Portsmouth's 7-4 win today over Reading. Call me crazy, but neither Marcus Hahnemann and David James should still have jobs after the pathetic performances they put in today. Not a single one of these goals is any thing special. Amazing.
Click to continue reading...

Short takes from the weekend's European action.

Chelsea 3-2 Birmingham
- Shaun Wright-Phillips and Florent Malouda are two crucial pieces of Chelsea's attack. They both figure to have a brilliant season with the Blues this campaign. Sidwell could also make a decisive impact this season should he make the most of his minutes coming off the bench. Click to continue reading...

It looks like Marcus Hahnemann's broken hand has healed up meaning the American should be in goal for Reading's opener against Manchester United.

"I had the all-clear from the doctor last week," Hahnemann told the Reading Evening Post on Wednesday. "I am back in training, and the Wolves game is what I am shooting for. ... The wrist is still a little sore but my hand feels OK, so that is a good sign. Click to continue reading...