AMSTERDAM – We continue our new season Euro-stroll with a walk through England's Championship and League One to forecast what's ahead for the five Americans playing there.
Championship
Derby County[inlinenode:316158]
American: Striker Conor Doyle (one game Championship experience)
Last season: 14th place Championship, round of 16 FA Cup, first round Carling Cup
American’s role: Though he has just arrived at Pride Park, Doyle appears to immediately be at least in the "let's see what the boy can do" role. The Rams were goal-shy last season, so he will get chances as long as he keeps meeting the level in training.
Key question: Up or down? Having waved goodbye to several veterans, Derby seem destined for table movement. The fresh faces are off to a decent start, but it is a long, long season in a league with 24 clubs and two cup competitions on the docket.
Season outlook: Derby finished nine points above the drop zone last term. They could show encouraging signs of development and still end up closer to the trap door this time.
Leeds United[inlinenode:316159]
American: Striker Mike Grella (29 games Championship/League One experience)
Last season: Runners-up League One (earned promotion), round of 32 FA Cup, round of 32 Carling Cup, semifinals Johnston's Paint Trophy
American's role: The skillful forward will probably be no less than a regular late option off the bench this season and thus needs to start finding the net to see more pitch time. When he does play, Grella often takes restarts.
Key question: Did Leeds add enough to compete? There were a few nice additions, but a few nice additions when rising up a flight generally gets one a relegation struggle.
Season outlook: The Whites will have tough days, but should be able to stay up. With top gun Jermaine Beckford gone, any Grella contributions would be welcome in that pursuit. Bravely playing a 4-3-3 in the ultra-direct Championship may just get them enough points to stay up.
Norwich City[inlinenode:316160]
American: Central defender Zak Whitbread (104 games Championship/League One experience)
Last season: League One champions, second round FA Cup, second round Carling Cup, quarterfinals Johnstone's Paint Trophy
American’s role: It's unclear. He was a new arrival and a preseason calf injury puts him behind at the start. When fit and in form, he is certainly good enough to start here.
Key question: This case is much the same as Leeds, though their nice additions were all spine and they have more experience at this level than the Whites. For the Canaries, it's can they keep the nucleus healthy?
Season outlook: They should be able to stay up comfortably if they can come close to repeating last season's League One defensive record up a flight.
League One
Carlisle United[inlinenode:316161]
American: Right back Frank Simek (128 games Championship/League One experience)
Last season: 14th League One, third round FA Cup, round of 32 Carling Cup, runners up Johnston's Paint Trophy
American's role: Simek is a starter and counted on to be one of the key cogs.
Key question: Can the defense shave a half-goal a game off last season's total of 66? If not, they won't need to worry about fighting for a promotion playoff spot.
Season outlook: Another mid-table finish seems ahead, though they could nudge up a couple places.
Plymouth Argyle
American: Central midfielder Anton Peterlin (two games League One experience)
Last season: 23rd Championship (relegated), third round FA Cup, first round Carling Cup
American's role: After an impressive trial, the San Francisco native has walked into the starting lineup. If he continues to play like he did the first two weeks, he will generally remain there, but expect him to get some breathers. Peterlin has yet to play the amount of soccer in a season that he will this term.
Key question: Can Plymouth bounce back up? A few key players departed, but they have several guys quite capable of standing out at this level.
Season outlook: An instant return to the Championship is probably too much to ask, but they should compete for a playoff spot and are a threat to take the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
