Six Americans In a Prem Game!

you young guys have no idea what all this means -- all these Americans in the Prem -- to someone who first started following the English game in 1966. I NEVER envisioned an American starting in ANY division in England. I NEVER envisioned a USA team in the World Cup Finals, but we've been ever-present since 1990.

As far as the yanks in the Prem, there's a lot of credit to MLS and the extensive college program, especially the presence of English coaches in the college system providing good scouting. But probably MOST of the credit goes to the EU and the breakdown of work barriers.

In the mid-60s, English teams could only feature players from England, Scotland, NI, Wales, and Ireland. Scottish teams, for some reason, could also field players from one of the Scandinavian countries. Italian sides could field Argentinean players and Portuguese sides could field Brazilians, but most of the other leagues were stuck with home-grown players. Once EU ruled that if you could get a work permit in any member nation, cause had to be shown for restricting you from others, all leagues became multi-national. This immediately benefitted Brazilian players -- I read that there's around 450 Brazilians playing professionally away from the home country -- and later benefitted Asians and Africans.

We're playing in England because (a) we're fit (b) we're disciplined [Clint Mathis is the exception that proves the rule], and (c) we're CHEAP. Brian McBride arrived for 700,000; Spurs paid 18m for Bent.

Anyhow, for an old fart like me, seeing Americans playing in the Prem is reward enough. Seeing them excelling -- Friedel and Howard have both made the EPL season best 11 in the past -- and seeing them embraced by the home fans is still remarkable to me.

Good days.