Ahead of England taking on the United States of America in a Wayne Rooney-centric friendly at Wembley Stadium, The Sportsman takes a look at some of the very best Yanks who have graced these fair shores and competed at the top level of the English game. Our refusal to include Jozy Altidore up front should be greeted with appreciation far and wide.
GK: Tim Howard (Manchester United, Everton)
A casualty of Sir Alex Ferguson trying to replace the irreplaceable, Tim Howard eventually carved out a successful career for himself with Everton after Edwin van der Sar’s arrival at Old Trafford, becoming one of the most respected goalkeepers in the Premier League. Howard spent a decade on Merseyside and made over 350 appearances for the Toffees.
DF: Jonathan Spector (Manchester United, Charlton Athletic, West Ham United)
Remembered rather fondly by the Hammers, perhaps his greatest moment in claret and blue came with a brace against his old club Manchester United in the EFL Cup quarter-finals in 2010 at Upton Park.
DF: Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham)
The first of several Fulham players to feature on this list, ‘The Jackal’ is in joint-tenth for appearances for the US national team, earning over a century of caps and serving as skipper for six years. Helped the West London club narrowly stave off relegation in consecutive seasons.
DF: Tim Ream (Fulham)
Yes, this may be only his second season in the English top tier - coming seven years after his first with Bolton Wanderers - and the Cottagers may be floundering, but Ream was imperative in Fulham’s return to the Premier League, missing only two games last season in the Championship and earning the title of Fulham’s Player of the Season. Out for the start of the new campaign through back injury, and benched in his last two games, the 31-year-old should see chances more forthcoming under Claudio Ranieri.
DF: DeAndre Yedlin (Newcastle United)
The only player still selling his wares in the league, the rapid right-back may be suffering at struggling Newcastle United. However, fortunes may be changing, and the 25-year-old from Seattle can be imperative to that. Has featured in all but one game so far this season, and has even contributed a goal and an assist.
MF: John Harkes (Sheffield Wednesday, Derby County, West Ham United, and Nottingham Forest)
The only American - so far - to score in a League Cup final. For this reason alone, Harkes makes the list. What a career though, spending time at Sheffield Wednesday, Derby County, West Ham United, and Nottingham Forest.
MF: Claudio Reyna (Sunderland, Manchester City)
Currently improving the grass-roots game back in the states, Reyna has maintained roots with Manchester City, where he spent three and a half seasons, by becoming director of football operations for one of the branches of their mahoosive conglomerate trunk, New York City FC.
F: Landon Donovan (Everton)
Although the Toffees only had Donovan for around 20 games, bringing the then-USA skipper to Goodison Park in the MLS off-season was seen as a masterstroke, with manager David Moyes acquiring the forward skipper on two separate loan occasions a season apart.
F: Clint Dempsey (Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur)
The first name that banged straight on this list, Dempsey could - at one point - stand shoulder to shoulder with the Premier League’s very best. Joint highest goalscorer, alongside the aforementioned Donovan, for the national team, he was a Fantasy Football player’s dream during his five year spell at Fulham. Also, has a bangin' rap career as his alter-ego 'Deuce'.
F: Brian McBride (Everton, Fulham)
The back-to-back recipient of Fulham’s Player of the Season between 2005 and 2007, and their top scorer in the latter campaign.
Shout out to the best of the rest: Brad Friedel/ Kasey Keller/ Joe Max-Moore/ Cobi Jones/ DaMarcus Beasley
