ISAAC HEATH- One of the most popular topics in US soccer circles is the destination of national team players. Transfer news is always exciting, but for a nation that is attempting to grow its fan base at home while gaining respect abroad, the US media and fans are always looking for their stars to land somewhere big and perform well.
Multiple players have moved across the pond over the years with a wide variety of results. Some of the more notable successful moves have been Stuart Holden to Bolton and Clint Dempsey to Fulham, while guys like Jozy Altidore and Freddy Adu have made moves that ended in disappointment.
There are many keys to making a successful move abroad. For one, you have to go somewhere you can play, just ask Oguchi Onyewu. Second of all, and perhaps most importantly, you have to chose a league and team whose style both compliments your abilities and helps you grow as a player.
Jozy Altidore seems to have finally found that with AZ Alkmaar and the Dutch league (somewhere Noah Davis is smiling). Yes, it is early, and yes we eager American soccer journalists love to get prematurely giddy when one of our players starts to have success abroad, but the bottom line is that after his two goals in Europa League action today Altidore has 5 goals in as many games.
Holland seems to be just what the doctor ordered for Altidore, and today I could not help thinking that it would be a great place for many top American players.
Not long ago two other US national team stars played in Holland and clearly grew immensely during their time there. DaMarcus Beasley had a good stint with PSV from 2004-2006 and even led the Dutch side with 4 goals in the Champions League. Michael Bradley got his European start with Heerenveen and went on to lead the team in goals one season with 18.
Americans are not the only ones who have grown as players in Holland. In addition to Dutch players like Robin Van Persie, Wesley Sneijder, and Arjen Robben, both Romario and Ronaldo got their starts in Holland before moving to top European teams.
So what makes Holland such a great destination for top young talent?
While great coaching and a plethora of quality young native players undoubtedly help, the Dutch style of play seems to be what helps younger creative players grow into stars.
In the Dutch system all players, from the left back to the strikers, require excellent skill. Quality passing, movement off the ball, and athleticism thrive in the Dutch system and it is no coincidence that the best team in the world (Barcelona if you were curious) plays the Dutch style.
Holland gives players like Jozy Altidore an environment where creativity is encouraged and a place where teammates feed off each others creativity. In short, Holland is a league where top young talent molds other top young talent, much like iron sharpens iron.
It would be great to see Bedoya, Agudelo, Adu and Shea among others follow suit and head to Holland for a few years. The US national team needs it’s best attacking players in a setting that will encourage possession and creativity in the final third.
For the moment, it will just be Altidore honing his skills in Holland. The good news for US fans is that he he was the one who needed Holland the most, and just may still have time to turn into the striker we always wanted.