The 2022-23 European domestic season is over. With the club campaign finished, players jump on flights bound for all corners of the globe, returning home for a summer of recovery or, if selected, international football.
Players in the frame for the U.S. men’s national team will have plenty of opportunity to play for their country, with the Concacaf Nations League finals and Gold Cup both beginning in June. Which of them will be primed to perform, though, and who will require an arm around the shoulder after a trying season with their club?
ESPN whittled down a list of 26 Europe-based American players (26 being the number allowed in an international squad) and asked Jeff Carlisle, Kyle Bonagura, Bill Connelly, Cesar Hernandez and Arch Bell to assess each of their 2022-23 campaigns and assign them a letter grade. Behold: the Americans Abroad year-end grades.
2022-23 grade: D+
Their story of 2022-23: The 2022-23 campaign has to go down as a disappointment for Aaronson, both in terms of Leeds’ relegation and his personal performances. The season started so promisingly for the U.S. midfielder, especially when he robbed Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy to score the opener in a 3-0 win. That was back in August … and it proved to be the only goal Aaronson managed to score all season. He tallied just three assists as well, highlighting a lack of end product.
Although he was a consistent starter for most of the campaign, he saw his minutes diminish by the end of the season, with his last five appearances coming as a substitute. The upheaval in the manager’s chair — the club went from Jesse Marsch to Javi Gracia to Sam Allardyce — certainly did Aaronson no favors, either.
Outlook for 2023-24: ESPN can confirm a report in The Athletic that Aaronson has a relegation release clause in his contract, so it’s unknown just where he will land next season, although remaining in the English Championship wouldn’t be the worst thing. Aaronson is tailor-made for a pressing system, which will likely be a significant factor in terms of where he ends up. — Jeff Carlisle
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Tyler Adams | 24 | Midfielder | Leeds United
2022-23 grade: B
Their story of 2022-23: The season set up really well for Adams: He got a move to the Premier League (Leeds United) to play for a coach (Marsch) who had been an advocate for him at multiple stops in his career. The possibility for a breakout season on the biggest of stages was there, all with the opportunity to captain the United States at the World Cup in the middle of the season.
In many ways, that happened. He was a key player for Leeds and, at times, earned praise for his ability to put out fires in the middle of the park. The problem, of course, is that a single fire engine can’t put out a forest fire and two managers were axed before Leeds were relegated back to the Championship (Adams missed the final three months with a hamstring injury).
Outlook for 2023-24: Adams, who was one of the USMNT’s best players in Qatar, is reportedly on the radar of several large clubs and nearly guaranteed a move to stay in a top-flight league. — Kyle Bonagura
2022-23 grade: A+
Their story of 2022-23: This is how every loan is supposed to work. After scoring two goals in 209 total minutes for Arsenal in recent seasons, and after an only moderately successful short-term spell with Middlesbrough, Balogun went to Reims and ignited in 2022-23, scoring 21 goals with two assists from 37 chances created on an excellent counterattacking squad.
As the top young scorer in Ligue 1, the 21-year old’s stock skyrocketed, and the dual-national ended up the subject of an almost college-football-like recruiting battle, eventually committing to the U.S. over England and Nigeria.
Outlook for 2023-24: Whether he now fights for a spot at Arsenal or moves away via transfer (one that would command far more money than it would have a year ago), Balogun will likely feature prominently somewhere in Europe’s big five leagues, just as he takes over as the No. 1 American scoring threat internationally. — Bill Connelly
2022-23 grade: B
Their story of 2022-23: Things went well for Cannon in 2022-23 as he surpassed the 2,000-minute mark in league play, following a slight dip to 1,718 minutes in 2021-22, with 26 starts in 30 appearances. One negative in the FC Dallas alum’s game was that he was sent off twice.
Outlook for 2023-24: Traditionally a right-back, Cannon was played slightly out of position more as a right-sided center-back for most of the season and even as a right-wing-back. The hope for next season is that he’ll return to more of his usual right-back spot. — Arch Bell
2022-23 grade: A+
Their story of 2022-23: What more could you ask of the 25-year-old central defender? He was selected in the 2022-23 Scottish Premiership Team of the Year, was vital in Celtic’s run to this season’s league title and also occasionally stepped up as captain when needed.
Outlook for 2023-24: The only doubt regarding him is whether he’ll recover in time for the start of next season after suffering a knee injury in late April. — Cesar Hernandez
2022-23 grade: D-
Their story of 2022-23: After starting 40 LaLiga matches the previous two seasons for Barcelona at ages 19 and 20, Dest’s career has taken a sharp reversal. Dest was loaned to AC Milan following preseason with Barca and failed to make an impact in Serie A, starting just two matches and playing 329 minutes in the league. He did, however, have a solid showing at the World Cup, and his role with the national team has been more or less unaffected by the lack of stability at the club level.
Outlook for 2023-24: On loan from Nottingham Forest, his future remains unclear, as someone who can thrive in the English second division but also has room for improvement with his interventions in the box. — Cesar Hernandez
2022-23 grade: D-
Their story of 2022-23: It was a lost season of sorts for the 24-year old. After combining four goals with 31 chances created and a 79% pass completion rate in 1,968 total minutes for Juventus in 2021-22, the FC Dallas product fell out of favor with manager Massimiliano Allegri and made a midseason loan move to Leeds United, whose primary transfer strategy of late seems to have been “We need more Americans!”
The season ended with McKennie getting jeered by Leeds fans. It wasn’t his fault that the team fell apart down the stretch — they panic-fired manager Marsch in February, replaced him with a stylistic opposite (Javi Gracia), then replaced him with Allardyce in early May — but his presence didn’t help matters. And in all competitions in 2022-23, he ended up with far more minutes (3,038 in all) but less offensive production (three goals, 24 chances created, 70% pass completion rate) and defensive disruption.
Outlook for 2023-24: With Leeds relegated, McKennie heads back to Juventus, but it appears unlikely he will stay there. Wherever he lands, his production will require a rebound. — Bill Connelly
2022-23 grade: A
Their story of 2022-23: This has been McKenzie’s breakout season in Europe. After Genk transferred Jhon Lucumi to Bologna, McKenzie became the regular starter (35 starts in 35 appearances) and leader of the team’s defense with his aerial ability and ball recovery. He even became a scoring threat with four goals in the final two months of the season, aiding in their title chase even though they fell just short on the Belgian season’s final day.
Outlook for 2023-24: Another season like this and he’ll be playing for a bigger club. — Arch Bell
2022-23 grade: C+
Their story of 2022-23: It’s been a difficult campaign for Musah, even as he has spent more time in his preferred central midfield position. Musah is a player who thrives when there is belief in him from his manager, but Valencia had three different head coaches this season (including interims) and were stuck in a relegation battle for most of the year. There were multiple formation switches as well, which at times meant Musah was shunted to his less preferred position on the wing.
Outlook for 2023-24: More is expected of the 27-year-old. He has to increase his goal-scoring numbers. — Cesar Hernandez
2022-23 grade: A-
Their story of 2022-23: Like Balogun, Pepi enjoyed a lovely loan spell in 2022-23, and really, it only paled in comparison to Balogun’s. Loaned from FC Augsburg to Groningen in the Eredivisie, Pepi scored 13 goals in all competitions, with three assists and 32 chances created. He remained an active presser, and after struggling to create space for himself in the box at Augsburg, he thrived in the Netherlands.
Outlook for 2023-24: He couldn’t prevent Groningen from suffering relegation, but transfer rumors now tie him to clubs such as PSV Eindhoven and others much further up the Dutch table. His stock is rebounding. — Bill Connelly
2022-23 grade: D
Their story of 2022-23: Very little went right for Pulisic during the 2022-23 club season. A knee injury sidelined him for two months in January, just after he had reestablished himself in the starting lineup following the World Cup. By the time he returned, Chelsea’s spending spree meant it was difficult to get back into the side, making just two league starts and seven league appearances overall since March 1. Not even the return of Frank Lampard as caretaker manager, who had given Pulisic plenty of opportunities during his previous stint as Chelsea boss, was enough to get the American back in the team.
As a consequence, all of Pulisic’s numbers per 90 minutes were down, be it touches (45.98), goals (0.1), expected goals (0.14), shots (1.75) and shots on target percentage (27%).
Outlook for 2023-24: Now Pulisic’s time at Stamford Bridge seems certain to end, assuming Chelsea’s valuation can be met. A realistic transfer fee would fall somewhere between $15m and $20m. We’ll see if Chelsea ultimately agree. — Jeff Carlisle
Outlook for 2023-24: Two keys for next year: a bigger role and staying healthy. Ideally, that comes at Dortmund, but if a change of scenery is required, then that should be considered. — Kyle Bonagura
2022-23 grade: C
Their story of 2022-23: A hit-or-miss season for the 23-year-old who hasn’t reached his potential. Richards should feel proud of some of his performances — especially against Manchester United in January — but those appearances came to a paltry total of only nine.
Outlook for 2023-24: If he can stay fit and avoid the injury issues that heavily impacted his role in late 2022, Richards should be able to claim more appearances in 2023-24. — Cesar Hernandez
2022-23 grade: A-
Their story of 2022-23: After becoming one of the best left-backs in the English second division last season — and a stalwart for his national team — Robinson moved up with Fulham to the Premier League in 2022-23 and more than held his own. Only three EPL full-backs combined at least 235 ball recoveries with at least 20 chances created this season: Newcastle United‘s Kieran Trippier, Liverpool‘s Trent Alexander-Arnold and the 25-year old Robinson. That’s awfully good company.
Outlook for 2023-24: After years of yo-yoing between the first- and second division, Fulham finished a surprising 10th this season. Robinson was a major reason. His contract expires in 2024, so in the coming months we’ll find out if he remains a building block at Craven Cottage, or if spring transfer rumors — both Newcastle United and Manchester City were allegedly interested — turn out to be true. — Bill Connelly
2022-23 grade: B
Their story of 2022-23: Sargent led Norwich City in scoring this season in the English Championship with 13 goals, but it was a disappointing midtable finish for the Canaries. He made 40 appearances overall, accruing more than 3,000 minutes, and did well in frontline defending, but found himself playing more on the wing, rather than as center-forward.
Outlook for 2023-24: Rangers have been pushing to make his acquisition permanent, but leadership turmoil at Bayern might mean he has to wait a bit longer to find out next year’s home. — Bill Connelly
2022-23 grade: A
Their story of 2022-23: This was a case of a loan working out spectacularly well. Trusty was an ever-present force in City’s backline, making 44 league appearances, mostly as a left-sided center-back in a back-three system. He capped off his season by being named Birmingham’s Player of the Year, as voted by the club’s supporters.
Outlook for 2023-24: While Trusty will need to clean up his passing (68.7% completion), his tackling and prowess on set pieces served him well, and likely will continue to do so in another season on loan away from Arsenal. — Jeff Carlisle
Matt Turner | 28 | Goalkeeper | Arsenal
2022-23 grade: B+
Their story of 2022-23: For a guy who not so long ago was a long shot to be a professional soccer player, the fact that he just finished a season as an Arsenal player and started for the United States at the World Cup is simply incredible. An all-time great story of development. On the other hand, the opportunities to play in games at Arsenal were limited, and while that doesn’t mean he hasn’t improved — his ability to play with his feet, for example, is significantly better than it was a year ago — it’s not a perfect situation.
Outlook for 2023-24: He’s good enough to serve as the No. 1 in the Premier League. The question is, 12 months after moving to north London, whether he’s willing to bet on himself and make another move to prove it. — Kyle Bonagura
2022-23 grade: A-
Their story of 2022-23: After several seasons spent bouncing around northern Europe with little success, Wright has blossomed in the Turkish Super Lig.
Outlook for 2023-24: After bagging 31 goals in all competitions in the past two seasons with Antalyaspor, including 16 this season, he looks set to move on to bigger challenges. — Jeff Carlisle
