Big in America: foreign footballers who played in the US
American football teams have long been a draw for European and South American players in the twilight of their careers.
Here we have selected a starting XI of top foreigners who have graced soccer fields in the US (try not to take the formation too seriously) plus a few others we’d have loved to include.
Goalkeeper: Gordon Banks
England’s World Cup winning goalie (pictured left) played for Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1997-78)
Right back: Carlos Alberto
Brazilian, scorer of arguably the greatest goal of all time (versus Italy in the 1970 World Cup final), played for New York Cosmos (1977-80 and 1982) and California Surf (1981).
Central defender: Franz Beckenbauer
Der Kaiser, the ultimate sweeper, played for New York Cosmos (1977-80 and again in 1983).
Central defender: Bobby Moore
England’s World Cup winning captain played for San Antonio Thunder (1977) and Seattle Sounders in (1978).
Left back: Ruud Krol
Played 83 times for the Netherlands and could slot in anywhere in the back four, which is lucky because we could not find too many decent left backs. Played for the Vancouver Whitecaps in 1980 (yes, we know they’re Canadian but they played in the American league).
Midfield: Johan Cruyff
Dutch master (pictured right) who played for Los Angeles Aztecs (1979) and Washington, wait for it, Diplomats (1980-81).
Midfield: Johan Neeskens
Another top Dutchman. Played for New York Cosmos (1979-84) and Fort Lauderdale Sun (1986-87).
Midfield: Graeme Souness
Every team needs a midfield hard man and this Scotsman fits the bill having played for Montreal Olympique in the summer of 1972. He made 10 appearances in the North American Soccer League and was named in the All-Star team, which must rank among his best moments in football. Probably.
Midfield: Carlos Valderrama
Every team needs a luxury (for which read “rubbish”) player and the Colombian with the silly hairdo fits the bill. He played for Tampa Bay Mutiny (1996-97, 2000-01), Miami Fusion (1998-99), and Colorado Rapids (2001-02).
Centre forward: Pele
The greatest player ever (pictured left) turned out for New York Cosmos (1975-77) scoring 57 times.
Centre forward: Eusebio
The Portuguese legend played for Boston Minutemen (1975), Toronto Metros-Croatia (1976) and Las Vegas Quicksilver (1977).
And just a few of the others we could have picked:
Alan Ball
George Best
Peter Beardsley
Archie Gemmill
Rodney Marsh
Gerd Muller
Hugo Sanchez
Walter Zenga