Star Exports: The Top 20 U.S. Soccer Players in Europe

Position/Team: Defender/IK Start (Norway)

Age/Hometown: 28/Alexandria, VA

National team caps: 16

MLS experience: FC Dallas (2004-2007)

Complex says: There were a few contenders for the final spot on this list—Brad Guzan, Eddie Johnson, Luis Robles—but Clarence E. Goodson IV made the cut, and more than on account of having the best name. In 2008, the defender opted to turn his back on the MLS and make the move to Europe to represent IK Start in Norway. Scandinavia is increasingly seen as a proving ground for players coming to Europe before a move to one of the big five leagues. Goodson has made an impact at Start, helping them return to the top division in his first season.

Position/Team: Goalkeeper/Wolverhampton Wanderers (England)

Age/Hometown: 38/Seattle

National team caps: 8

MLS experience: Seattle Sounders (1994-1997); Colorado Rapids (1997-1999)

Complex says: Hahnemann often goes unnoticed because of more illustrious U.S. goalkeeping names higher up this list. When the pistol-toting soccer player (it

Position/Team: Midfielder/Mainz (Germany)

Age/Hometown: 20/Dallas

National team caps: None

MLS experience: None

Complex says: The 20-year-old Jeffrey has yet to win a cap for the senior U.S. team, although he has attracted attention at both the Under-17 and Under-20 World Cups. After a spell at Club Brugge in Belgium, Jeffrey moved to Mainz in Germany in January 2010, and what a time to do so. After finishing 9th in the league last term, Mainz are amongst the pace-setters this season and Jeffrey has been earmarked for rapid development, with coach Thomas Tuchel highlighting his potential. Watch this space!

Position/Team: Attacking midfielder, forward/Aris (Greece)

Age/Hometown: 21/Tema, Ghana

National team caps: 15

MLS experience: D.C. United (2004-2006); Real Salt Lake (2007)

Complex says: Adu has had a positive and negative impact on the reputation of U.S. Soccer in Europe. He was hailed as a brilliant youngster whose electrifying skill would popularize sport in America and make the world take the U.S. game seriously. At 14, he became the youngest to sign a pro sports contract in the U.S., but things stalled. In 2007, at 18, he moved to Europe to join Benfica, who

Position/Team: Defender/Saint-Etienne (France)

Age/Hometown: 31/Upland, CA

National team caps: 85

MLS experience: Chicago Fire (2000-2004)

Complex says: After playing alongside fellow Americans Clint Dempsey and Brian McBride at Fulham, Bocanegra moved to France in 2008 to represent Rennes and, since July, Saint-Etienne. Bocanegra's career has seen him flit between left- and center-back, and his time in England proved he has an eye for goal, too. He scored eight goals in 124 games for the West Londoners and was the club

Position/Team: Striker/Sochaux (France)

Age/Hometown: 24/Manchester, NH

National team caps: 17

MLS experience: None

Complex says: Davies signed his first pro contract in Europe at 21, joining Swedish side Hammarby in 2007 after being rejected by Ajax. Davies proved himself in his second season in Sweden, bagging 14 goals, and was ready to take a step up. He joined Sochaux ahead of the 2009-10 season, but his career in France never really got started—eight games in, he shattered his leg and lacerated his bladder in a car crash, ruling him out of the 2010 World Cup. If he can prove he is the player he once was, he could make an impact in Ligue 1.

Position/Team: Defender/Aston Villa (England)

Age/Hometown: 21/Downers Grove, IL

National team caps: 1

MLS experience: None

Complex says: Lichaj is one of a new breed of U.S. players in Europe—those who, instead of establishing themselves in the MLS first, have chosen to abandon their soccer education in the States and head to Europe early to join an academy. In Lichaj

Position/Team: Midfielder/Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany)

Age/Hometown: 27/Atlanta

National team caps: 31

MLS experience: MetroStars (2003-2004); San Jose Earthquakes (2005; Houston Dynamo (2006-2009)

Complex says: Clark is a relatively new European arrival, having joined the Bundesliga just over a year ago. His injury-plagued first season in Germany led to only three appearances. However, the Frankfurt outfit were obviously pleased enough to offer him a contract extension for the 2010-11 season. Clark

Position/Team: Defender/West Ham (England)

Age/Hometown: 24/Arlington Heights, IL

National team caps: 27

MLS experience: None

Complex says: It wasn

Position/Team: Defender/Hannover 96 (Germany)

Age/Hometown: 31/Rockford, IL

National team caps: 65

MLS experience: None

Complex says: As sportsmen switch between teams to follow the big paycheck, 31-year-old Cherundolo is something of an anachronism: the one-club man. As a foreign player at such a late stage in his career, the defender

Position/Team: Attacking midfielder, forward/Hannover 96 (Germany)

Age/Hometown: 28/Fort Wayne, IN

National team caps: 93

MLS experience: L.A. Galaxy (1999-2000); Chicago Fire (2000-2004)

Complex says: Beasley has figured across four of Europe

Position/Team: Midfielder/Rangers (Scotland)

Age/Hometown: 24/Fontana, CA

National team caps: 19

MLS experience: Toronto FC (2007-2008)

Complex says: Maurice Edu may be playing for Rangers, and whatever your opinion of the standard of soccer in Scotland (if you don

Position/Team: Midfielder/Schalke 04 (Germany)

Age/Hometown: 28/Frankfurt, Germany

National team caps: 2

MLS experience: None

Complex says: Jones originally opted to represent his nation of birth at international level. But, after three appearances in friendlies for Germany, the midfielder

Position/Team: Midfielder/Bolton Wanderers (England)

Age/Hometown: 25/Aberdeen, Scotland

National team caps: 17

MLS experience: Houston Dynamo (2006-2009)

Complex says: Scottish-born Holden has begun making a name for himself in the EPL under manager Owen Coyle. Holden

Position/Team: Striker/Villarreal (Spain)

Age/Hometown: 20/Livingston, NJ

National team caps: 32

MLS experience: New York Red Bulls (2006-2008)

Complex says: Altidore certainly knows how to be a groundbreaker for U.S. soccer. Step 1: Become only the second American to play in La Liga (after Kasey Keller) by signing for Villarreal at 18. Step 2: Make sure the transfer fee is $10 million, beating the previous record paid for an American by $6 million. Step 3: Become the only U.S. soccer player to score in the Spanish top flight (here, against Athletic Bilbao). Check, check, check. And the best is yet to come.

Position/Team: Defender/AC Milan (Italy)

Age/Hometown: 28/Washington, D.C.

National team caps: 58

MLS experience: None

Complex says: In an era of soaring player egos and monster pay packets, Onyewu has proven that nice guys still exist in the game. Having come to Europe in 2002—playing for Metz (France), Standard Liege (Belgium), and Newcastle (England)—it was a move to AC Milan in 2009 that really catapulted him into the spotlight. If he can make it at a defensive school that has produced Paolo Maldini and Franco Baresi, the 6'4" center-back could be the States' biggest hit. But it might be his request to play a year of his contract salary-free, after losing his debut season with the Rossoneri to injury, that has solidified his rep in the soccer fraternity.

Position/Team: Attacking midfielder, forward/Fulham (England)

Age/Hometown: 27/Nacogdoches, TX

National team caps: 68

MLS experience: New England Revolution (2004-2007)

Complex says: Fulham made Dempsey the most expensive U.S. player when they brought him to West London in January 2006. His reputation has gradually grown during his spell in England and his tenacity, which often sees him going for diving headers in crowded areas, has gone down well with Fulham fans. Dempsey

Position/Team: Midfielder/Borussia Monchengladbach (Germany)

Age/Hometown: 23/Princeton, NJ

National team caps: 50

MLS experience: MetroStars (2004-2006)

Complex says: To think that there were accusations of nepotism over Bradley

Position/Team: Goalkeeper/Everton (England)

Age/Hometown: 31/North Brunswick, NJ

National team caps: 57

MLS experience: MetroStars (1998-2003)

Complex says: Howard moved to Europe in 2003 after Manchester United paid $4 million to take him to Old Trafford. The keeper made an immediate impact, saving a decisive spot-kick to win the Community Shield, and enjoyed a good first season. However, after an error against Porto that saw United knocked- ut of the Champions League, Howard

Position/Team: Goalkeeper/Aston Villa (England)

Age/Hometown: 39/Lakewood, OH

National team caps: 82

MLS experience: Columbus Crew (1996-1997)

Complex says: Although Friedel retired from international soccer five years ago, his "brick wall" act is still a regular feature in the EPL. For opposition fans, there