LIFE IN THE PROS: Fitting in Abroad

Six American stars who earn their paychecks in six different nations reveal the key challenges U.S. players face in foreign leagues.

By Mike Woitalla

Oguchi Onyewu (Standard Liege)
'Nothing comes easy'

It's 9 p.m. and Oguchi Onyewu is in his apartment in the eastern Belgian city of Liege relaxing with a video game.

''Usually, when I have free time, I'm just chillin','' says the 22-year-old who played on the heralded 1999 U-17 U.S. World Cup team with Landon Donovan and Co. He moved to Europe after two seasons at Clemson. From French Second Division Metz he went to modest Belgian First Division club La Louviere before moving up to Standard Liege, where the hulking central defender has become one of the club's standouts.

Onyewu says adapting to the style of soccer in Europe was less of a challenge than adjusting to life abroad as a young man:

''You're gonna get lonely and think, 'I wish I was home.' You just have to deal with it. Nothing comes easy. Remind yourself why you're here: to play soccer. And learn the language. It makes you feel comfortable.''

Greg Vanney (Bastia)
First touch is crucial

Greg Vanney played six seasons in MLS before joining Bastia of the French First Division in 2002.

''A major difference compared to the U.S. is in France the backlines play much higher,'' says the 30-year-old. ''There's not much of a gap between them, in the midfield. It forces you to play in tight spaces. You don't often get a yard or two between yourself and the player marking you. So your first touch has to be very good or you won't make it here.''

In France, outside backs like Vanney are expected to play a lot of offense: ''If all you do is defend well and help build out of the back, you're considered half a back. They want you to swing in the crosses.''

The legions of Africans make an impact on the style of play: ''They bring creativity and unpredictability, because they learn their soccer on the streets, not by the book.''

Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96)
Patience, discipline a must

He arrived at 19 in 1999, when Hannover 96 was in the Second Division, helped the team reach the top tier and now serves as a co-captain. But Steve Cherundolo won't let himself get complacent, even after playing nearly 150 games for the Reds.

''The day after a club signs you is the day they start looking for a replacement, because they're always trying to improve,'' says the 25-year-old. ''Being celebrated to being fired goes real fast. There's pressure every day to prove you're worthy of being in the 11.''

Americans coming to Germany, Cherundolo says, will find a style of play that requires patience:

''In general, there's more urgency to go forward in American soccer. In Germany, there's more playing backward and sideways. It's more of a waiting game, waiting for the other team to make a mistake. And there's an emphasis on discipline, on defense and on going forward, always as a unit.''

Claudio Reyna (Manchester City)
Going forward fast

The U.S. captain has spent a decade in Europe, playing in the German and Scottish top tier before hitting the English Premier League, where adjusting to a high-tempo game is a foreign player's big challenge.

''In Germany or Italy, for example, fans of smaller teams accept that their teams play defensively or go for a tie playing against a big club,'' Claudio Reyna says. ''In England, they always expect their teams to go forward fast and play to win. It's fast-paced no matter what the score is, and the weather is conducive to that style. It's not necessarily long-ball, but it's high speed.''

Players must think a few steps ahead and for newcomers, Reyna says, it can take time in the reserve team to get used to it:

''Many foreign players who are stars in their country are surprised when they arrive in England and have to prove themselves all over again.''

Daniel Hernandez (Necaxa)
Best of both worlds

After nearly six years in MLS playing for four different teams, Texas native Daniel Hernandez joined Necaxa, a team that won three Mexican First Division titles in 1990s. It was a perfect fit.

''There's more passing here and players are calmer on the ball,'' says Hernandez, whose father was born in Mexico. ''There's more possession and buildup. It's a style I enjoy. But I think one reason they like me is because I bring a little of the U.S. style with me. I'm a combination of Mexican and U.S. style.

''Mexican defensive midfielders tend to play like a sweeper in front of the defense, closing down passing lanes, covering areas and waiting for the ball.

''I'm more of a ball-winner — more intense and more aggressive. Mexicans are really starting to respect U.S. soccer and the way the U.S. national team plays — running like crazy and closing teams down.''

Robbie Russell (Rosenborg)
Coping with criticism

Rosenborg won its 13th straight Norwegian title in October, with American Robbie Russell at right back, thanks to edging Valerenga on goals scored after the teams tied on points and goal difference.

''We took a lot of criticism in the press for how we won it,'' says the 25-year-old. ''The press here is very critical. ''

After each game, major Norwegian papers grade every player.

''Sometimes I'll get the highest grades in one paper and the lowest in another,'' he says. ''It doesn't bother me, because I'm so self-critical anyway.''

Indeed, coping with criticism is a big part of the pro game abroad.