Everton’s Americans – Everton Football

Tim Howard may have been one of the stars of this summer’s World Cup, but Everton’s connections to America don’t start and end with our goalkeeper.

And so, with the United States still alive with ‘Howard Mania’ on Independence Day, we take a look at those who have worn the red, white and Royal Blue…
Landon Donovan, 22 appearances, 2 goals

The United States’ all-time record appearance holder joined Everton on loan on 2 January 2010 after a deal was agreed with LA Galaxy and Major League Soccer.

Having already racked up 138 caps for his national side, his two-and-a-half month spell brought some needed experience and creativity to the Blues’ midfield.

From the word go, Donovan proved a success, starting with an assist for Everton’s first goal in a 2-2 draw at Arsenal on his debut. The forward followed that up with another solid performance in a 2-0 home win over Manchester City, and he scored his first Everton goal as the Blues recorded the same scoreline against Sunderland later in the month.

A quick-fire fans’ favourite, he  contributed another goal against Hull City in March in what would be his last appearance at Goodison before returning to the States.

But he’d be back. In December 2011, a month after he netted the winning goal in the 2011 MLS Cup final, it was confirmed Donovan would be returning to Merseyside – another triumphant loan spell that included no goals but an impressive six assists in nine outings as he also helped the Toffees to memorable wins over Manchester City and Chelsea.

Donovan remains the USA’s record goalscorer, with 57 goals in 156 games.

Brian McBride, 8 appearances, 4 goals

In 2003, Everton signed Brian McBride on loan – a striker who would become America’s third-highest all-time leading goalscorer.

After a prolific seven years at Colombus Crew, he joined the Blues for three months and helped fire the Club into the top half of the table. Having worked under then-Everton manager David Moyes during a similar spell at Preston North End in 2000, McBride brought the goals required, notching four in eight games.

He now works as a football pundit in the States.

Joe-Max Moore, 54 appearances, 10 goals

Oklahoma-born Joe-Max Moore reached 100 caps for the United States around the same time his three-year spell at Goodison Park came to an end.

After playing for FC Saarbrücken and FC Nuremberg, the forward enjoyed a fruitful period at New England Revolution, netting close to a goal every other game across three seasons.

A week’s trial at Everton’s old training ground, Bellefield, came in October 1999, and he signed a permanent deal the following month. Moore hit the ground running with five goals in his first five first-team games, but injuries would ultimately plague his time in England.

In fact, it was a knock against Portugal while playing for the US at the 2002 World Cup that would all but end his time at Everton. It was his third and final World Cup, adding to his appearances at the 1992 Olympic Games.

On 4 April 2013, he was inducted into the US Soccer Hall of Fame.

Marcus Hahnemann

Journeyman goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann signed for Everton on a short-term deal on 23 September 2011.

He left the Club at the end of that season having provided able back-up to Tim Howard but without making a first-team appearance.

Predrag ‘Preki’ Radosavljevic, 53 appearances, 4 goals
Everton swooped for indoor football sensation ‘Preki’ in 1992, with Howard Kendall paying £100,000 for the 29-year-old following a trial.

Born in Serbia, Preki became a US citizen soon after playing five seasons for Tacoma Stars, with whom he scored over 200 goals in less than 250 games. He was even more prolific at St Louis Storm and also tried his hand at the outdoor game, appearing for Red Star Belgrade and Sweden’s Råslätts SK.

In making 53 appearances for the Blues, Preki became something of a cult hero and his international career began shortly after his two-year spell on Merseyside. He eventually accumulated a total of 28 caps for the USA before retiring in 2005.

Preki is now the manager of Sacramento Republic FC, having previously coached at Chivas USA and Toronto FC.

Cody Arnoux and Anton Peterlin
 
Forward Cody Arnoux and midfielder Anton Peterlin joined Everton on one-year deals in the summer of 2009 following trials in March of the same year.

They played several times for the reserve team but were ultimately allowed to the leave the Club when their contracts came to an end.

Arnoux joined Vancouver Whitecaps and later Real Salt Lake, before signing with current club Wilmington Hammerheads in July 2012.

Peterlin, meanwhile, extended his stay in England with Plymouth, where he worked under Blues legend Peter Reid, and Walsall. He is now at Danish side Hellerup IK.

Tim Howard, 347 appearances, 1 goal

Last but not least, Everton’s current custodian is our latest and greatest American hero.

He joined the Blues initially on loan in the summer of 2006 after making 77 appearances for Manchester United.

Having played for New York/New Jersey Metrostars in his homeland, Howard had developed into a commanding goalkeeper and his loan was made permanent in February 2007.

He helped the United States to win the CONCACAF Gold Cup that summer and was the hero at Wembley as Everton overcame his old side United on penalties in the 2009 FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

Confederations Cup glory with the national side would follow that summer, before he made headlines by scoring from his own penalty area with a wind-assisted kick against Bolton in January 2012.

On 20 August 2012, Howard set a new record for consecutive Premier League appearances for one club by stepping out for his 184th game in a row. Sadly, the now 35-year-old broke two bones in his back while playing against Oldham Athletic in February 2013 and subsequently fell two games short of breaking Neville Southall’s Club record of 212 consecutive league appearances.

He was occasionally club captain in the absence of Phil Jagielka and Leon Osman during Roberto Martinez’s first campaign in charge and put pen-to-paper on a new four-year deal in April 2014.

This summer he passed the 100-cap mark for the USA and made his third appearance at World Cup finals.

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