The rankings of U.S. players abroad for the first half of their 2005-06 seasons take into account players' form and their clubs' success, primarily in league play, and is weighted based on the competitive level of the league in which they play.
FIELD PLAYERS: McBride is No. 1 after holiday scoring spree
1. Brian McBride (F, Fulham, English Premier League)
Fulham's leading scorer struck three goals in four games during the EPL's holiday rush, including a strike in a loss to leader Cheslea, against which he also drew a penalty kick. He hit a pair in a 3-3 tie with Aston Villa.
League stats: 21 games, 8 goals.
2. Claudio Reyna (M, Man. City, English Premier League)
Was the English Premier League's top player during first month of the season according to the Actim Index, the official player rating system of the English Premier League. Suffered an ankle fracture that will sideline him through February.
League stats: 13 games, 1 goal.
3. DaMarcus Beasley (F, PSV Eindhoven, Dutch Eredivisie)
Appeared in a two-thirds of league games for the Eredivisie leader and in four of six Champions League matches, including a stellar performance in a 1-0 win over AC Milan.
League stats: 12 games, 3 goals.
4. Oguchi Onyewu (D, Standard Liege, Belgian Juliper League)
Central defender helped Standard to league lead. Returned to starting spot after serving a three-game suspension for two red cards. Standard went winless during his suspension, then won two straight upon his return.
League stats: 15 games, 1 goal
5. Steve Cherundolo (D, Hannover 96, German Bundesliga 1)
Missed start of season because of injury, then stepped back into his starting spot at right back and became first U.S. product to hit 100 mark in German First Division appearances while helping Hannover to eighth place.
League stats: 8 games, 1 goal
6. Carlos Bocanegra (D, Fulham, English Premier League)
Moved into preferred central defense spot from left back. Missed several games because of Achilles' tendon problem. Yellow-carded four times.
League stats: 14 games, 0 goals
7. Bobby Convey (M, Reading, English Championship League)
One of only three field players to start all games for second-tier leader after earning just four starts during 2004-05 season. Has helped turn Reading into the favorite to win promotion to the English Premier League.
League stats: 28 games, 4 goals
8. Eddie Lewis (M, Leeds, English Championship League)
Only player to appear in every league game for Leeds, which is in third place of English second tier. Celebrated the New Year with Man of Match honors after assisting twice in 3-0 win over Plymouth Argyle. Scored winner in 1-0 victory over Stoke five days earlier.
League stats: 27 games, 3 goals
9. Gregg Berhalter (D, Energie Cottbus, German Bundesliga II)
Team captain has helped Cottbus, which last season was nearly relegated, to fourth place, two points shy of the promotion zone.
League stats: 15 games, 1 goal.
10. Jonathan Spector (D, Charlton, English Premier League)
Made four starts and came off bench in five other games.
League stats: 9 games, 0 goals.
GOALKEEPERS: Kasey Keller shines for Gladbach
1. Kasey Keller (G, Borussia M'Gladbach, German Bundesliga 1)
Ranked the fourth best goalkeeper in the Bundesliga by Kicker Magazine for first half of season, during which he helped Gladbach, which fought relegation last season, to seventh place, one point shy of UEFA Cup zone. Nicknamed ''The Wall'' by Gladbach fans. League stats: 16 games, 0 goals.
2. Brad Friedel (G, Blackburn, English Premier League)
Has played every minute of season and helped Rovers to seventh place, highest position for EPL team with an American starter.
League stats: 20 games, 0 goals.
3. Marcus Hahnemann (G, Reading, English Championship League)
Has played in every game for Reading, the English second-tier league leader that has an 18-point lead over the third-place Leeds. The top two finishers at season's end qualify automatically for the English Premier League.
League stats: 28 games, 0 goals.
4. Tim Howard (G, Manchester United, English Premier League)
The arrival of Dutch national team keeper Edwin Van der Sar has kept Howard on the bench in league play, but he made three League Cup appearances, conceding three goals in three wins.
League stats: 0 games, 0 goals.