Michael Bradley isn't the only European-based American locked in a promotion-relegation batle. Zak Whitbread, Mike Grella and Jemal Johnson are all taking part in the English First Division promotion playoffs, Whitbread with Millwall, Grella with Leeds and Johnson with MK Dons.
A central defense fixture for Millwall, Whitbread is the one steady starter of this trio of Americans, and his team stands one win or draw away from the League Championship.
Grella, who passed on the 2009 MLS Draft to sign with Leeds, has become a regular substitute as the team's first forward option off the bench, while Johnson has adjusted to life in the doghouse, having been relegated to the bench after starting out the season extremely well.
Despite's Johnson's recent struggle for playing time, things are going well for all three of these American-born players.
Whitbread is the most likely of the three to be playing in a higher level league next season, and not just because Millwall is ahead in its series with Leeds. The former U.S. Under-20 and U-23 defender has been linked to Premier League and League Championship clubs and could wind up being sold whether Millwall is promoted or not.
Johnson has been offered a new contract by MK Dons despite no longer being a starter, which makes you wonder what the club's plans are for the American-born, England-raised winger. The 24-year-old New Jersey-born player has been linked to various League Championship clubs, so he may make the move up even if MK Dons does not.
As for Grella, he saw minutes in all of Leeds' matches down the stretch of the regular season. Not bad for a 22-year-old striker who was playing for Duke University just seven months ago.
Leeds trails Millwall 1-0 after the first leg, but will host the second leg today. Johnson's MK Dons is in a better spot, having tied Scunthorpe United, 1-1, in the first leg of their series. MK Dons will host the second leg on Friday.
What do you think of these players battling for a place in the League Championship? Hoping Whitbread makes the jump to the EPL? Happy to see Grella getting regular minutes for Leeds? Could you see Johnson making a move to a bigger club, or would he be better off making a move to MLS? If Leeds or Millwall faces MK Dons in the promotion final, will you watch?
Share your thoughts below.
Where is the article about Jon-Paul Pittman? He helped Wycombe get promoted to League One, but I guess that isn’t as interesting.
Whitbread will be on the 2010 WC roster.
Grella and Johnson will not.
I think there are some broken sarcasm meters here.
When guys do something mildly impressive in a lower league, like Charlie Davies or Kenny Cooper has, then you can worry about calling them in for camps.
And, no, I believe our starting 11 for the WCQs is set for the time being.
Halftime at Leeds 0-0.
You can watch it on your pc at http://www.atdhe.net
Whitbread is a solid dfender with good heading skills on set pieces. He should get called this summer for the Gold (Shower) Cup
I’ve been tracking these guys all season and hoping they get Gold Cup call ups. All three are young and they could be useful for the 2014 WC. You never know how they will develop. Just playing in the Championship or League One is a great base for these guys that are between 22 and 25. They will be playing in packed/hostile venues against decent talent and fingthing for promotion or against relegation. That is a very good learning experience. These young guys can build on this even if they do not make it to the EPL. We’ve had guys play in WC’s for us that play in Mexico, MlS, second division sides on the continent and even reserve teams.
This is creating a larger pool for us to pick from. It is very exciting.
Grella is only an option after 2010. I wouldn’t mind seeing his career path on an upswing.
It’d be great to Whitbread and Johnson at least in the Championship. Both are legitimate options for the Gold Cup and could work their way up the depth chart.
Also in the playoffs tonight: Marco Antonio Vidal for Indios de Cd Juarez and Francisco Torres for Pachuca.
And they don’t need no steenkin’ badges!
http://www.mediotiempo.com/jornadas.php?id_liga=1&jornada=cuartos&torneo=176
I like the idea of these guys getting called up for the Gold Cup for no other reason than it would mean less MLS players missing time with their club teams.
A bit shoddy of a write-up since you forget to mention the most important part of the League One Playoffs – only 1 team is promoted (along with the two automatic qualifiers Leicester & Peterborough).
At best, only one of the three yanks can move to the Championship by way of playoffs, leaving the other two behind…. at worst, if Scunthorpe wins out (there is still a Final to be played after the home&home semi-finals), then all three stay down unless they get picked up by a Championship team.
anybody going to have some PBP on the Leeds-Millwall match?
i clicked on this hoping to hear eddie johnson found his stride. damnit. i will be forever rooting for that guy to succeed.
Have no idea whether any of these guys actually deserve a call-up (and getting minutes on a first division team does not, without more, justify a call up) but would not object to gold cup call-ups for purely selfish reason of getting to see them play.
Call them into camp for the Gold Cup. Not Grella though, if he gets in, then so does Tracy. Tracy is at a much bigger club.
All of these guys need look-at’s by Bradley up close in camp. I don’t see any of them making it onto the field this summer. But it would be a great story if one does. Don’t forget about all of the talent here in the MLS that hasn’t gotten any time in camp. We have a lot of reserve-fringe players.
It amazed me how quickly some people call for USMNT call-ups. I certainly wouldn’t mind if Bob calls them into the pre-tourney camp, but initial playing time with the team should be Gold Cup, NOT WCQ! Prove yourself before you play in really meaningful matches.
Donovan is actually a winger if you examine his qualities. He is a terror on the outside, and saying you are looking for a better option in Johnson is crazy. But yes Johnson looks like an interesting player.
From a U.S Mens National team perspective I’m rooting for Millwall. If Millwall make the jump to the championship then Whitbread will most likely stay with the team and be a fixture for them next year. A jump up to the Championship would give Whitbread valuable experience and would add to the depth of the team. Alternatively I don’t think Grella would play as large a role if Leeds where to win promotion and with his progress I think he could be a starter next year if they stay in League One.
From a Soccer Fans perspective I’m rooting for Leeds. They have some of the best fans in England and I think the largest home ground outside the Premiership. Their fans have gone through a long dark period of relegation and administration and deserve better.
All of these guys should start the next World Cup Qualifier.
It sounded like Johnson was doing fine with MK Dons. But when he declined their offer of a new contract this spring they benched him.
I agree ajrRSL, the Gold Cup would be an excellent opportunity to get these guys into camp and give them a little game time. I would like to see Johnson especially since we don’t have any real stand out wingers(yes Donovan and Deuce play fine as outside Mids but they arent true wingers) on the team right now.
It is awesome that Grella has been able to find minutes this quickly after joining the team. More so since they are in a promotion fight.
What do I think? F*CK MILLWALL!
Come on you Irons!!!
i would really like to see some of these guys during the gold cup
Zak Whitbreak too! Could he be in for Gold Cup if Milwall get promoted??