A host of USMNT stars have opted for new challenges ahead of this year’s Qatar World Cup.
United States finished third in the CONCACAF qualifiers, sealing a spot in the upcoming 2022 World Cup behind Canada and Mexico.
A host of young USMNT players hope to get a national team call-up ahead of the tournament. Let’s review some of these stars who have changed clubs during this summer’s transfer window.
5- Zack Steffen
Steffen left Manchester City to join Middlesbrough on a loan deal earlier this summer.
The USMNT keeper signed a four-and-a-half-year contract extension at Etihad in November 2021. However, his desire to get more game time ahead of the World Cup has convinced him to join the Championship side.
Steffen made only nine appearances for City across all competitions last season. He will now push to keep his place as USMNT’s number one keeper amid stiff competition from the next player on our list.
4- Matt Turner
Turner will spend his debut campaign in the Premier League this season.
Following a brilliant season at New England, the Gunners decided to add the American keeper to their ranks on a £5.5m deal.
Getting game time ahead of in-form Aaron Ramsdale is not an easy task. However, Turner can already be sure of his place behind Steffen in USMNT’s squad for the upcoming tournament.
3- Tyler Adams
Adams established a reputation as one of the most promising Bundesliga midfielders last season.
The 23-year-old made 24 Bundesliga appearances for Leipzig, attracting interest from a host of Premier League sides. Leeds United won the race for the USMNT star, signing him on a £20m deal.
Adams has already made 30 senior caps for USMNT. However, he still needs to make a good first impression in the English top flight due to the fierce competition in the US midfield.
2- Chris Richards
Reports of Bayern Munich deciding to become a ‘selling club’ surfaced in German media during last winter’s transfer window.
Bayern have gone on to add a host of top-class stars to their squad this summer. However, it seems they have become more open to selling their established academy players.
Richards, who spent the past two seasons on loan at Hoffenheim, joined Crystal Palace on a permanent deal this summer.
The Premier League side have paid £8.5m plus £2.5m in add-ons for the versatile defender. The USMNT star kick-starts his Premier League career next season, hoping to move up in the national team’s pecking order.
Barcelona’s Sergino Dest and Boavista’s Reggie Cannon are Gregg Berhalter’s regular choices for the position.
1- Brenden Aaronson
Aaronson became the second most expensive American player when he joined Leeds United on a £22.2m deal earlier this summer.
An incredible spell at RB Salzburg saw the USMNT star move to the Premier League only a year and a half after starting his European career.
The former Philadelphia star will join his countryman Tyler Adams in Leeds’ midfield next season. Working under American manager Jesse Marsch might also help the pair with their integration into English football.
Anderson has made 22 USMNT caps since his debut in 2020. A strong start at Leeds United could provide the 21-year-old with a regular spot in the national team’s lineup for the World Cup.
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