For more than a decade, I have with great interest followed the U.S. players who make their living abroad. American players in Germany have complained about small refrigerators, boiled eggs for breakfast and grocery stores closed on Sundays. When I visited Ron Dufrene in Reims in 1987, he couldn’t reach for the ketchup bottle without receiving a boisterous ribbing from his teammates for ruining the flavor of fine French cuisine. But I’ve also seen the real obstacles — and how some have overcome them. I visited Paul Caligiuri, also in 1987, six months after he arrived in Hamburg, and he was conversing in German. More recently, Jon Van Buskirk explained how he had to fire his language teacher, whose ploy was to use the sessions to learn English. Van Buskirk, like all those who have been successful, quickly learned the language. An admirable feat. Even those in England face challenges in adapting. It’s hard to be away from home, family and friends, especially if you’re injured or sitting on the bench. Californians have to adapt to the cold. Foreign players get blamed first when the team fails. If the coach who brought you in gets fired, your security immediately decreases. And nursing an injury can mean losing your job. The coming of the Bosman era means foreigners enter European leagues in hordes and often at bargain prices, increasing competition for the American. Fortunately, Americans are still going abroad. We needn’t lament that MLS can’t sign the teenagers who are brave enough to leave home. They won’t stay forever, and when they return, they’ll be much more valuable to the national team and MLS. Young players who go abroad will be better for the league in the long term. I am assuming there will be a long term. FANS, LET’S HEAR YOUR VIEW! Will young players’ departure to Europe benefit both MLS and the national team? Click here to log onto (Soccer) American Graffiti. Then click on the topic entitled “Your View: A win-win situation” and respond to Mike Woitalla in 200 words or less. Don’t hold back! The best responses may be reprinted in a future issue of SA, and If YOUR view is selected, we’ll send you a cool t-shirt and pin. Because You’re FANATIC.