Now that the World Cup is over for the United States, many USMNT players will now begin to focus on the Premier League. Six players on the USMNT World Cup squad currently ply their trade in England’s top flight. In fact, all six played significant minutes for coach Greg Berhalter throughout the tournament.
Matt Turner (Arsenal), Tim Ream (Fulham), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Tyler Adams (Leeds) and Christian Pulisic (Chelsea) started all four World Cup games for the USMNT. Brenden Aaronson (Leeds) also entered the fray as a substitute in every game.
Adams and Berhalter praise the Premier League
Before the matchup with England in the group stage, Adams spoke about the connection to the Premier League. “In America, you see a lot of young players tuning in to a lot of the Premier League games. They are in the morning, they are easy to tune in to”, said the team captain during a press conference. “You would see a lot of quality players on the pitch at the same time, no matter what team was playing in the Premier League.”
“So for me, it was always a dream of mine,” Adams continued. “I remember telling my mother when I was young that she wanted to play in England. The culture isn’t too far off from what America has to offer, so definitely that transition has obviously been a lot easier than playing in Germany. [at RB Leipzig].”
“But there is something special about the Premier League. There always has been and I think there always will be.
Berhalter also echoed his captain’s sentiments at the press conference. “Every Saturday morning, the Americans are watching the league,” explained the coach. “And then to see all the fan festivals…it’s an amazing league, we’re so proud that our players are playing [there]. To me, it’s similar to the NFL in how dominant it is.”
Nine USMNT players in the Premier League or British competition
Along with the aforementioned sextet, three other USMNT World Cup players are also currently playing in Great Britain. Josh Sargent (Norwich), Ethan Horvath (loan to Luton Town) and Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic) will also travel to the UK soon to play club football.
The Premier League is scheduled to return from the World Cup break on December 26. Ream and Robinson could see the first action between USMNT players in England when Fulham take on Crystal Palace on Boxing Day morning.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Icon Sportswire
