Bundesliga: Heaven for Americans

The influx of Bundesliga players from the United States has been rekindled over the years. And this season, it really boomed with 12 clubs under 11 names. How to explain this phenomenon?

Dortmund 4-1 Leipzig
Greuther Fuerth 1-1 Dortmund (extra time: 0-1)
Bundesliga: Heaven for Americans
Dating formed half a century
The Americans have been in the Bundesliga for 54 years (1964), when Hamburg discovered Andy Mate and brought him back to Germany. "Just give Andy a shot," coach Geza Henni told the Hamburgers. But the American striker is too bad, only two goals and forced to return after only a year.

After Andy, the affair between the Americans and the top German league was broken for 27 years, until Tom Dooley made his Kaiserslautern debut in 1991. Since then, Germany, including some fairly prominent names such as Landon Donovan and Michael Bradley, but not popular.


The American Bundesliga play has been booming for some years now. Last season, there were 10 players and this season there were 12 players under 11 clubs. This number is a record. Historically there has never been a European Championship with so many American players in a single season. In addition to the above 12 players, there are also seven other players playing for youth teams.

Of course, Christian Pulisic of Dortmund, despite not turning 20, made 71 appearances in Germany's top flight and 21 caps for the national team. Weston McKennie is also a great talent. Last season, this midfielder has built a place in the Schalke squad, thereby earning 4 games for the US. John Brooks, Wolfsburg's 20 million-euro defender and Schalke opened the scoring in the opening match. Another American who scored in the first round was Fabian Johnson, who won M'gladbach.

Perfect combination
Why the Bundesliga suddenly became the promised land for the American players? It is the result of an attempt to increase the influence of Germany's leading leagues globally, especially the US market, to compete with the Premier League or La Liga. From around 2014, many German clubs, such as Bayern or Schalke, Leverkusen and Dortmund, set up representative offices or built training centers around the country.

To attract the attention of American audiences, they also try to own some American talent and at the same time connect with the local clubs to attract young players. Michael Schade, CEO of Leverkusen said, his big dream is to have an American star in the squad and he will score every week. Unfortunately, he has not earned anybody yet. Meanwhile, the team is led by Schalke with McKennie in the first team and three other players are playing for the youth team.

As for the US players, which are thought to be lacking in tactics and tactics, the Bundesliga is considered to be the best choice in Europe. In addition, German culture is quite open and popular, not too specific as England, Spain or Italy. They are more likely to get involved in the team because of the competitive environment.

So, this advantage is only good for both German teams and American players. Of course, it will thrive.

The senior, who has not started
Of the 12 American players, the most senior player is Fabian Johnson (M'gladbach) in his Bundesliga season (181 appearances), followed by Timmy Chandler (Frankfurt) who plays his eighth season (193 games). . Meanwhile, three players are still waiting for the tournament to debut: Jonathan Klinsmann (Hertha), Timothy Tillman (Nuremberg on loan from Bayern) and Josh Sargent (Bremen).

17 - Fabian Johnson is currently the most goalscorer in the Bundesliga, with 17 goals (five for Hoffenheim and 12 for M'gladbach). Christian Pulisic, 19, has nine goals. If he continues to stick with Dortmund, Johnson is only a matter of time.