AMSTERDAM – Before the US national team gathers our attention for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, there's time for a quick offseason check on club matters for the senior and youth internationals working overseas.
We've made stops in Germany and England, and now it's time to cover the rest of the continent in one swoop.
Alejandro Bedoya - Nantes
The Nantes workhorse will be rested and ready for Gold Cup after sitting some with a late-season knee knock. The Canaries have brought in a pair of young No. 10 types, so Bedoya should now fully own the right wing slot. He's had some mild interest this summer, but looks like returning to Ligue 1. If so, the locals will expect more offensive production than the three goals and one assist he put up in 28 league outings last term.
As for Nantes, not much has changed in the roster (so far) to alter their steady image as a mid-table battler.
Aron Johannsson - AZ Alkmaar
After early-season injury troubles, it took the AZ hitman a little while to warm back to regular form. Then, Johannsson notched four goals and three helpers in the last five games of the season, helping his club snatch the league's automatic Europa League bid out from under Feyenoord. That means the forward should be much busier this season, putting him firmly on a quest for 20 league goals and a few European memories.
When AZ go into Europe, they generally drop places from the previous season's league showing. They are, however, known to occasionally make the cup run worth the league drag. To do that, technical director Earnie Stewart probably needs to pick up another playmaking threat and some help toward the back.
Desevio Payne - Groningen
The 19-year-old South Carolina native made two Eredivisie appearances last season, but will be counted on for more in 2015-16. Payne will look to show the growth from an encouraging Under-20 World Cup display as he battles another teen prospect looking to usurp young right back starter Hans Hateboer.
As is typically the case, Groningen finished just inside the better half of the table last season. However, they also won the KNVB Cup for the first time, booking their return to the Europa League. With the added games, now would be a great time for Payne to progress into a dependable depth-level player for the senior side.
Rubio Rubin - FC Utrecht
With Utrecht making the loan move of striker Sebastien Haller permanent, Rubin will certainly not be asked to lead the line 11 times this coming season like he did in the last. Instead, he will likely work plenty on right wing, where Tommy Oar has opted not to renew his contract. Expect the 19-year-old's fitness level to rise after putting 28 Eredivisie appearances and a solid U-20 World Cup showing under his belt over the last year. As such, doubling his rookie totals of three goals and five assists is not too much to ask.
Rubin was far from the only youngster gaining experience last term, so the locals will hope they can return the club to its more regular place in the Eredivisie top 10.
Cesar Romero - FC Pyunik
Though he will become a free agent next week and is slated for a trial with Russian side Amkar Perm in July, the reigning Armenian Premier League Golden Boot man will be in uniform when the double winners kick off the first round of Champions League qualifying against visiting Folgore/Falciano this coming Tuesday night.
Romero did have interest from Serbian champs Partizan Belgrade, but his final cup-tying appearance for Pyunik seems to indicate that crush is over. He also reportedly has admirers in Mexico, but his agent recently told MLSsoccer.com that the former Chivas USA forward is very open to a Major League Soccer return.
