Heading into the winter transfer window, it's time to evaluate the best and worst summer moves by Americans Abroad
This summer didn't bring widespread club changes on the U.S. men's national team front, but there were several big moves from several big players. And, as we head into the winter transfer window – which promises to bring even more change – it's time to evaluate those summer moves and see where the players involve stand.
Some have benefitted from the transition, jumping into a bigger club or a better situation. Players such as Aidan Morris, Mark McKenzie and and Auston Trusty have thrived at new levels. Malik Tillman, meanwhile, has made the most of turning a temporary move permanent. By and large, the USMNT's big summer transfers have gone well, although it has to be said that this summer wasn't perfect.
There are still several summer movers struggling for playing time for a variety of reasons. Whether it's injuries, form or just the current club landscape, there are players who haven't been able to maximize their transfers. With the winter transfer window looming, GOAL looks at this summer's big USMNT moves and grades the transfers.
Getty ImagesMatt Turner: Nottingham Forest to Crystal Palace
Turner knew what he was signing up for – nothing but different than at Nottingham Forrest, to be honest. At Palace, he was always going to be a backup, and that's exactly where he stands.
Since making the move to London, Turner has played just 90 minutes, starting and winning a Leagues Cup clash with Aston Villa. Outside of that, he's just been Dean Henderson's backup, and that doesn't look to be changing any time soon. What's next for Turner? Right now, he's just biding his time, and it looks like he'll be doing that for a while.
GRADE: D-
AdvertisementAFPGabriel Slonina: Barnsley on loan from Chelsea
Slonina was loaned to third-division Barnsley to get playing time, but an injury has derailed that. After starting 11 games between August and October, Slonina was benched in favor of 29-year-old veteran Ben Killip. He then suffered a hand injury, one that has kept him out for the last month or so.
That's not what you want for a 20-year-old goalkeeper, one who, more than anything, needs the experience that comes with playing regularly. We'll see how things go when Slonina's hand heals, but, this hasn't been …. great. Maybe this is the adversity he needs to take a big leap forward but, at the moment, it's been the toughest run of his career so far.
GRADE: D
GettyCaleb Wiley: Chelsea on loan to Strasbourg
It al started well, with Wiley making an immediate impact for Strasbourg in Ligue 1. Then came the injuries. First it was knee tendinitis, which kept him out for a month-and-a-half. Now, it's a separated shoulder, one that will keep Wiley out for some time.
Generally, this was all trending positive, but you can never fully account for how injuries can change things in a flash. Once Wiley is healthy, we'll see what type of team he walks back into as he continues to adjust to the European game after leaving Atlanta.
GRADE: C+
Getty Images SportTanner Tessmann: Venezia to Lyon
This was always going to be a big leap, and it was always going to be a difficult starting XI to crack, particularly for a young midfielder. Tanner Tessmann has played 222 Ligue 1 minutes, having started two of his eight appearances this season.
More notably, though, he's played significant minutes in the Europa League, starting three games and coming off the bench in another to get his first tastes of continental competition. With those experiences in his back pocket, Tessmann ran the show for the USMNT in last month's Nation's League match against Jamaica, showing newfound confidence in midfield.
If he can continue to build on that, everyone will be happy with this move.
GRADE: B
