There is a dearth of Americans playing in top European leagues, but a closer look shows there is a good crop of promising youngsters working their way toward filling that void.
The name Jordan Morris was the hottest thing in American soccer right up until a teenager from Hershey, Pennsylvania, started getting minutes for a German Bundesliga team. Now, Christian Pulisic is being sized up for that savior crown American soccer fans love to throw on any young American player who shows elite-level promise. If something feels different about Pulisic, it should. Let's face it; we aren't used to seeing American teenagers scoring minutes for top teams in top European leagues. So, while hardcore fans have been awaiting his impending arrival for a few years, it has taken just two substitute appearances in Bundesliga play to vault Pulisic into the mainstream American soccer fan consciousness. Pulisic is one of a handful of Americans working their way up the European ranks at younger ages than past Americans who made the trip across the Atlantic in search of glory. Some are closer to first-team playing time than others, but all of them are highly regarded by top European clubs, and could be joining Pulisic as young Americans earning senior team playing time before long. Here is a look at some of the top Americans aged 20 and under who are poised to break out in the near future:
MATT MIAZGA, CHELSEA
The former New York Red Bulls defender made a $5 million move to Chelsea this winter, and though it seems unlikely he will see first-team action any time soon, the fact the Blues have kept him with the first team is promising. Kurt Zouma's recent injury could open the door for Miazga if he truly wows Guus Hiddink, but the 20-year-old is probably still too raw to be counted on for minutes in the English Premier League. As much as the Chelsea move felt like it was too big a move to make at this point in his career, Miazga remains one of the more promising young American players in the talent pipeline. If Chelsea takes care with managing his development, Miazga has the tools to be a U.S. national team starter one day. That said, if Chelsea mishandles him like many past youth prospects, Miazga could wind up regretting the move to London.
CAMERON CARTER-VICKERS, TOTTENHAM
Miazga's Under-20 World Cup center-back partner is doing just fine at Tottenham, having recently earned a place on Spurs' Europa League B roster list. Still only 18, Tottenham sees Carter-Vickers as a future starter and has been bringing him along slowly. Carter-Vickers should play a key role in the Olympic Qualifying playoffs, and even if he doesn't break through at Tottenham this season, it feels very much like he will be seeing some first team playing time next season, be it with Spurs or on loan.
JOSH PEREZ, FIORENTINA
The U.S. Under-17 forward had to wait a long time to complete his move to Serie A side Fiorentina, but that waited ended last week, with Fiorentina reserving a place on its first-team squad for the 18 year old. Though he may not have turned heads at last year's Under-17 World Cup, Perez has long been considered one of the best young attacking prospects in the U.S. pipeline, and Fiorentina thinks enough of Perez to use one of it's precious foreign-player slots on him to be included on the Serie A roster. Breaking through and earning first-team minutes this season might be too tall a task, but he may be less than a year away from contributing, if Fiorentina's public praise of the young prospect is any indication.
BROOKS LENNON, LIVERPOOL
The Arizona native has been turning heads in the Liverpool youth setup, to the point that Lennon could find himself earning a call up to the senior team before the end of this season. A former Real Salt Lake academy product, Lennon is just 18, and could still have to put more time in the youth setup next year, but he has established himself as one of the top prospects in Liverpool's youth system.
GEDION ZELALEM, ARSENAL
Currently on loan at Rangers, Zelalem is earning valuable experience at a time when breaking into Arsenal's first team just isn't an option. The Gunners still think highly of him though, and the sense is Zelalem's future will be at Arsenal. Having turned 19 just last month, Zelalem should play part in the Olympic qualifying playoff series against Colombia in March, and should rejoin Arsenal this summer, where he will once again push for a place on the first team.
EMERSON HYNDMAN, FULHAM
Don't let the fact that the 19-year-old midfielder is struggling for playing time with League Championship side Fulham fool you. Hyndman is very much a highly sought-after prospect who has clubs from Spain, Germany and England interested in signing him when his contract expires this summer. Expected to start for the U.S. in March's Olympic qualifying series, Hyndman should have several opportunities to impress on the international level before deciding on the next step in his club career this summer.