Making an Impact
Over the course of the last few seasons, more and more top-flight English players have joined the MLS: Ashley Cole, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney to name but a few. For players in the MLS, crossing the Atlantic to make their breakthrough in Europe’s best leagues is a priority. While many will aim for the Premier League, as of this campaign there are eight Americans playing in the second tier of English football, the Championship. While not all of the names on this list still play today, they certainly made an impact on English football. Let’s take a look at some of America’s finest in the Championship.
Brad Guzan
Guzan’s time in the Championship was fairly short-lived, as he was sent out on loan from parent club Aston Villa to Hull City. Initially on a one-month deal, he made his debut on New Year’s Day in 2011 and his move was quickly extended until the end of February. An emergency call-back saw the shot-stopper return to the KCOM Stadium in March, to deputise for the injured Vito Mannone. He made 11 appearances for the Tigers. Of course, Guzan is best-known in England for his time at Villa Park, where he spent eight seasons and amassed 144 league appearances, all in the Premier League. At the end of the 2016-17 season, Guzan returned to the States and still plays between the sticks for Atlanta United.
Eric Lichaj
Since arriving in England in 2007, Lichaj has played across all four Football League divisions. He currently plies his trade for Hull, where he is in his second season. While the Tigers may not be among the favourites for promotion in English Championship betting odds, the defender has cemented his place in the squad. During his debut season at Villa Park, Lichaj was sent to League Two side Lincoln City to gain first-team experience, later joining Leyton Orient of League One. His game time for the West Midlands club was limited, but he soon found his feet after signing for Nottingham Forest. He spent five seasons at the City Ground and even went on to captain the side during 2016-17, also winning the Fans’ Player of the Year award that campaign.
Jay DeMerit
The story of DeMerit’s arrival in English football is an interesting one. He initially signed for Southall in the ninth tier of English football, earning just £40 a week. He then joined Northwood in the tier above and played in a pre-season fixture against Watford when the Hornets manager at the time, Ray Lewington, snapped him up on trial. From then, there was no looking back. In his second Championship season, DeMerit was instrumental in Watford’s play-off push, scoring in the final against Leeds United, and was rewarded with a contract extension. He became a stalwart at Vicarage Road, captaining the side on numerous occasions as the club flitted between the top two divisions. After six seasons and 185 league appearances for Watford, DeMerit joined MLS team Vancouver Whitecaps before injury forced him to retire in July 2014.
Marcus Hahnemann
We began with a goalkeeper and end with a goalkeeper. Life in English football didn’t exactly go to plan for Hahnemann at first, being restricted to two first-team appearances at Fulham as he found himself behind Maik Taylor and, later, Edwin van der Sar in the pecking order. A loan spell at Reading was made permanent in the summer of 2002 and Hahnemann became the first-choice keeper. He was virtually ever-present between the sticks in his first two full campaigns, playing every league game in his third season at the Madejski Stadium. The following year, Reading were crowned champions and gained promotion to the Premier League. Hahnemann continued between the sticks, but Reading were relegated after two years in the top-flight and he left the Royals at the end of the 2008-09 season when they failed to win the Championship play-offs. He remained in English football before returning to the MLS and the Seattle Sounders in 2012. With close to 500 career appearances to his name, Hahnemann retired in December 2014.