Zak Whitbread, Mike Grella and Jemal Johnson are all taking part in the playoffs for promotion from the English third division (League One) to the second division (League Championship). Whitbread with Millwall, Grella with Leeds and Johnson with Milton Keynes Dons.
A central defense fixture for Millwall, Whitbread is the one steady starter of this trio of Americans, and his team stands one win or draw away from the League Championship. The former U.S. U-20 and U-23 defender has been linked to Premier League and League Championship clubs and could wind up being sold whether or not Millwall earn promotion.
Grella, a Duke graduate who passed on the 2009 MLS Draft to sign with Leeds, has become a regular substitute as the team’s first forward option off the bench. After starting the season well, Johnson has been relegated to the bench with the MK Dons. But the American-born, England-raised winger has been offered a new contract by his club.
Leeds trails Millwall 1-0 after the first leg of the playoff series that will determine promotion to the Championship. Leeds hosts the second leg today. Johnson’s MK Dons are in a better spot, having tied Scunthorpe United, 1-1, in the first leg of their series. MK Dons will host the second leg on Friday.