Well, I must admit, John Harkes may not really belong on this list. His placement here is sort of a scam, since there were at least two other Americans who played more games and scored more goals than he did in the EPL. But, like I said, making this list is not just about appearances and goals, it’s also about what you do with your limited chances.
Harkes made the most of his chances in the Prem, and that’s why he is on this list. I am also favoring him here because he was one of the only Americans in the EPL when it was founded in 1992. That’s right, he was one of only a few Yanks plying his trade in England’s top division that year to my knowledge, and for that reason alone, I couldn’t leave him off this list.
He was also only the second American player to make it on the field during a final of an English tournament (after Julian Sturgis who played with the Brits back in the 1870s), a feat Harkes actually accomplished twice. In the 1993 League Cup Final, he scored the only goal for Sheffield Wednesday in a 2-1 loss to Arsenal. Later, in the FA Cup Final, he would get on the pitch only to see his team lose 2-1 to Arsenal again.
So, Harkes likely hates the Gunners. Harkes would end his EPL career with West Ham in 1995 after MLS had to delay the beginning of its inaugural season. Sure, he only played 41 games in the EPL and he only scored two goals in league games, but he also scored the first goal ever by an American in Wembley Stadium. I think he belongs on this list simply for being a trailblazer, and that’s why I have him at #10 overall.
{ 2 trackbacks }