With the MLS in it’s offseason, many Americans players are surely enjoying a little Christmas vacation. That isn’t the case with their compatriots abroad, with the youngsters in Germany enjoying success against some of the biggest German clubs.

However even in their offseason there has been significant movement among top U.S. players with big stars starting new adventures outside the U.S. 

National team player Omar Gonzalez recently was sold by the LA Galaxy after an extremely successful seven years in Los Angeles. Gonzalez was sold to Mexican side Pachuca, but per MLS policy details of the transfer were not released.

While with the Galaxy Gonzalez won MLS Rookie of the Year award in 2009, Defender of the Year in 2011, was named to four Best XI teams (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014), and won three MLS Cups (2011, 2012, 2014).

Fabian Johnson, one of the famous German born Americans currently making their respective marks in Europe, continued his impressive form earlier this month. In Borussia Mönchengladbach’s match against Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich, Johnson helped Mönchengladbach defeat Munich 3-1 with a goal of his own.

Johnson has been on a tear recently, in his last 12 games for club and country the midfielder has notched six goals and two assists. Not only that, but Johnson was included with Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey, DeAndre Yedlin and Brad Guzan for the 2015 U.S. Male Soccer Athlete of the Year award. In the end Johnson missed out on the award for the second time, with Michael Bradley taking home the award for the first time in his career.

Speaking of Guzan and Yedlin, neither U.S. star has enjoyed much success as of late. Starting with Yedlin, the American phenom has been benched for the second time in five matches this week. Last week Yedlin was subbed out by manager Sam Allardyce after the game’s first 18 minutes in Sunderland’s loss to Warford.

Guzan’s Aston Villa side remains in last place in the English Premier League, although Guzan has demonstrated his usual quality in front of goal. Many in England are betting on Villa not improving their form and eventually falling victim to relegation to the Championship next year. That doesn’t bode well for Guzan’s hopes of supplanting Tim Howard as U.S. goalkeeper anytime soon.

To finish, it’s worth pointing out the successes of our women players abroad. Although there isn’t much information on her, the U.S. has a player in FC Barcelona’s ranks as goalkeeper. 20-year-old Kaeli Schmidt of Fort Collins, CO has had quite the journey, going from patrolling goal for St. Mary’s University to playing in the UEFA Women’s Champions League for FC Barcelona. Congrats!

Merry Christmas to everyone, here and abroad! And of course Happy New Year!

Photo: Flickr/Erik Drost