Soccer's American idols

Attention grabber
Dempsey may have the most opportunity to break out financially. The charismatic midfielder, who won Rookie of the Year honors in the MLS in 2004, is a brash newcomer to professional soccer. He juggles the ball to hip-hop, and wrote, sang, and released a rap video produced for Nike called Don't Tread on Me. The tune is now played before every U.S. soccer home match. But Dempsey typically doesn't start for the national team. He'll have to make the most of his playing time or push his way onto the starting squad to grab the attention of European clubs.

O'Brien, 28, who plied his trade with Dutch champions Ajax from age 16, has suffered through an unfortunate string of injuries since his decisive play for the men's quarterfinal run at the 2002 World Cup. Ajax released him and he eventually returned to Los Angeles to treat his various leg troubles. He makes $250,000 a year for Chivas USA, the MLS team in Los Angeles. If he thrives in the World Cup and stays healthy for the entire MLS season, this technically gifted soccer player will likely be back in Europe.

At 6 feet, 4 inches, Onyewu, 24, a central defender for Belgium champs Standard Liege, towers over his teammates and terrorizes the smaller Belgium forwards with his imposing play. Elite clubs such as Manchester United have been watching what Soccer Times writer Wagman describes as a "prototypical England center back." He could easily see his base salary bumped to over a $1 million, from an estimated $350,000 today, if a top English club snatches him up, as expected.

Regaining confidence
The other hot commodity is Johnson. The 22- year-old striker has been on the radar of European scouts for some time. He has explosive speed, strong technical skills, an imposing physical presence, and excels in the air. Johnson has entertained offers from one of Portugal's top teams — Club Porto — and he has trained with Manchester United.

However, Johnson has the most to prove to the European scouts. First, a longer-than-expected toe injury damaged his considerable skills and dulled his playing until very recently. Johnson appears to be regaining the confidence he displayed in the early qualifying matches, where he was averaging a goal a game for the U.S. national team.

Johnson needs to terrorize defenses and score goals. That's partly because he is no bargain. Johnson is one of the highest paid players in the MLS, earning a base salary of about $800,000. He signed a long-term contract last year. If he leaves, expect the MLS to demand a transfer fee of upward of $4 million, says Wagman, and Johnson will expect a hefty pay boost for himself. But he could be worth it if he excels in June. "Eddie Johnson is the only MLS player who could end up playing in England's Premiership, if he has a good World Cup," Wagman says.

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Beasley, a marauding midfielder down the left flank, had turned 19 when he went to his first World Cup in Korea. Until then, Beasley was unknown except to coaches and soccer geeks. But his dashing speed and fearlessness earned him a ticket to PSV Eindhoven, another perennial contender in the Dutch first division. Now, a good showing this summer could help elevate him to the elite leagues of England or Spain, according to Wagman.

Bargain talent
It wasn't too long ago that European clubs never came calling in the U.S. But early American pioneers like John Harkes, Tab Ramos, and Eric Wynalda helped to put U.S. soccer on the European map. Soon, clubs recognized Yankee athleticism and determination. Besides, securing U.S. soccer talent has been an attractive bargain. European clubs have purchased U.S. players for relatively cheap salaries compared to the asking prices for top talent in Brazil, Argentina, or even Africa.

Although there are those who still doubt America's prowess in the world's most popular sport, there's no denying Euro clubs got U.S. stars Claudio Reyna, Brian McBride, O'Brien, Kasey Keller, Brad Freidel, and Steve Cherundolo for bargain prices compared to the value they've returned to their respective teams over the years. Those players have performed admirably, far exceeding anyone's expectations. They helped to focus European interest on emerging U.S. soccer talent. Now, members of a new generation in American soccer are looking for their break.

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