There are a small number of players who have played the most common sport on both sides of the Atlantic. Sport can create hope where there is despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers, and there is no doubt that football has created more friendliness and cordiality between different countries, especially the US and UK.
- John Harkes
He is an American soccer coach and former player who was born on March 8th, 1967. Greenville Triumph SC’s head coach. With Sheffield Wednesday, he was the first American to play in the English Premier League; he was the second American to score at Wembley Stadium, and he was the first American to play in a major English event final in 1991. It wasn’t long after his arrival in Major League Soccer in 1996 that his team, DC United, won two MLS Cups. Harkes appeared in two games during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. His “Captain for Life” designation was bestowed by former coach Steve Sampson. That championship had been taken away from him prior to the 1998 World Cup. Harkes appeared in 90 games and scored six goals in his stint with the national squad.
- Kasey Keller
Kasey Retired American goalkeeper Christopher Keller (born November 29, 1969) played professionally both in Europe and the United States. For the first time ever, he was the first American to play in the German Bundesliga, the English Premier League, and La Liga in Spain. Keller is a native of Olympia, where he currently resides. After high school, he attended North Thurston High School and then Portland State University. In his first season with Leicester, Keller helped the team win the League Cup and finish second in the Premier League. Tottenham Hotspur signed Keller on a free transfer in August 2001. On January 15, 2005, Keller signed with Borussia Mönchengladbach as a free agent. In August of 2007, Keller returned to Fulham. Keller is now a member of the 2009 MLS expansion Seattle Sounders FC, which was founded on August 14, 2008.
- Clint Dempsey
Clinton Drew Dempsey (born March 9, 1983) retired from soccer following a career that saw him play both upfront and in the midfield. Between 2007 and 2013, he played for Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, scoring 57 goals and becoming the youngest American to appear in a major European final, Fulham’s Europa League final versus Chelsea. Dempsey was a member of the United States team at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship and made his senior debut against Jamaica on November 17, 2004. He has 57 goals in 140 international games, making him the fourth-most capped player in the country’s history and the joint top scorer with Landon Donovan with 57 goals. Dempsey has won three of his four CONCACAF Gold Cup appearances, and he has scored in each of his three World Cup games.
- Tim Howard
On March 6, 1979, Timothy Matthew Howard was born. He is a co-owner and sporting director of Memphis 901 FC, the team he most recently played for. In addition, he is Everton’s US agent. In the history of American goalkeeping, Howard is regarded as one of the best. 2003–04 FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Gloves Winner, PFA Premier League Team of the Year In his stint with the United States men’s national team, Howard made 121 appearances in goal and is the all-time leader in caps held. Manchester United signed him in 2003 after seeing his performances. Howard joined Everton on loan after United signed Edwin van der Sar, and he signed permanently in February 2007.
