Photo by Unkown

So transfer windows are a foreign concept to many fans, literally. In the states, trades and free agency are the common way that players move teams, and when they enter the league from colleges or wherever else, they do it via draft. Soccer does not work like that. Players can be signed by any team worldwide that recruits and pays the player appropriately, and then once they sign a contract, they are the property of the team for the duration of the contract. If a player wants to go elsewhere, he must do so by being sold by his club. There are only certain periods during the year when these transfers can occur, one during the summer and another during the winter. During this time, many players move from team to team to fit in with new squads and managers, and American players are no different. Here is a rundown of the five most important moves made by US national team players and the impact each move will make.

5. Kenny Cooper – From FC Dallas (MLS - US) to 1860 Munich (2. Bundesliga – Germany)

Cooper's move to Germany is something that many US fans have anxiously awaited for a while now. After deals to move to England and Norway collapsed last year, Cooper returned to MLS and continued a torrid 2008 season. He started the 2009 season well, and his move to 1860 Munich, who play in the second division of Germany's Bundesliga has already resulted in a goal in his debut and another later last month. So far he is off to a great start.

Why this move is important: Cooper is a beast, 6'3 and manly. He also has a rocket strike, and with more technical development and good coaching, he can develop into the super sub/dynamic 3rd striker option for the national team. He needed to get out of Dallas and quickly, and now has done so. If he continues to score, his move could be the X factor for the US at the World Cup, as they so desperately need another scoring threat up top to come off the bench or fill in in case of injury/card suspension.

4. Charlie Davies – From Hammarby IF (Allsvenskan – Sweeden) to Sochaux (Ligue 1 – France)

After an impressive Confederations Cup where the world met Charlie Davies, Sochaux jumped on the opportunity to land the young American striker who is blazing fast and incredibly strong for his size. His finishing and work rate have been impressive, and the move to France is well deserved. Since Charlie has arrived, he has scored twice for Sochaux and drawn a penalty and already become a fan favorite.

Why this move is important: Davies has shown himself to be a world beater, and stepping up the level of competition he plays against and the quality of teammate he plays with is critical for his continued development. Ligue 1 is a tough league, one of the top in the world, and he has joined a good team. He has already got off to a great start, and him receiving consistent playtime against quality defending will benefit his game, and in turn the USMNT.

3. Freddy Adu – From Benfica (Portugese Liga – Portugal) to Belenenses (Portugese Liga – Portugal) – On Loan

Adu's loan deal to Monaco the previous season did not go particularly well, and he did not look to be part of Benfica's plans this season. After a loan deal to a Danish side collapsed, Adu's season looked to be in peril, which is something the often maligned young American could not afford. Fortunately, just before the window closed, he went on loan, to Belenenses in Portugal, which is actually in the same city as Benfica is. This one year loan will give him a better opportunity to play and develop.

Why this move is important: Adu needs to continue his development, and joining a squad where he should see playtime regularly is the key to this. Freddy is still quite young, and quite talented. More time on the field would greatly benefit him, especially if he can return to the form two years ago where he was impressive with Benfica. This move happening at the end of the transfer window was the one that most national fans wanted to see happen, because Freddy needs an opportunity to live up to his potential. If Freddy makes the roster for South Africa, this move will be key.

2. Oguchi Onyewu – From Standard Liege (Juliper – Belgium) to AC Milan (Serie A – Italy)

Gooch greatly impressed this summer at the Confederations Cup and after staying with Liege this past year somewhat unexpectedly, was able to move anywhere on a free transfer as he was out of contract. Onyewu was hearing from teams all over Europe, and decided on AC Milan. Milan just happens to be one of the biggest clubs in the world, and Onyewu is only the third American to play in Serie A

Why this move is important: Onyewu has been on form for the last couple years, both for his club side and the USMNT. In Milan, he will not be guaranteed a starting spot. He will have to battle multiple other center backs for his spot in the squad, and if he does not perform, he may not get the play time that the US desperately needs him to get so that he is in form for qualification and for the World Cup. Gooch however will play against some of the best in the world, and train with many talented players as well. His development and form rides solely on how much time on the pitch he gets, and the fortunes of the USMNT precariously join this journey with him.

1. Jozy Altidore – From Villareal (La Liga – Spain) to Hull City (English Premier League – England) on loan

Jozy also had a tremendous summer, playing well at the Confederations Cup after a season of turmoil after joining Villareal last summer, and then being loaned to Xerxes where he did not play in quite a bizarre situation. Jozy is the most talented striker the US has produced outside of Charlie Davies in the last 5 years, and looks to have the potential for greatness. Still a teenager, his loan deal to Hull has already started well as he bagged an assist on a game winning goal on his first touch in the EPL, and scored in a cup tie later that week. He is off to a flying start at Hull, and has already endeared himself to the Hull faithful.

Why this move is important: Jozy is the most dangerous option the US national team has at the striker position, and his disastrous loan to Xerxes left him lacking match fitness. He still performed admirably at the national team level as he continued to score goals. The rust was clear though, and for the US to qualify and excel at the World Cup, Jozy needs to be playing on weekends, and Hull City is a great spot for him to do it. Hull has a bevy of strikers, so Jozy will need to elevate his game to get time on the field, and his start has certainly been promising. His playtime, along with Onyewu's are the two keys to the success of the national team as each rapidly develops into a star and take larger roles in the national team.

The moves that could have been: Both DaMarcus Beasley and Heath Pearce needed to move to put themselves in positions to be part of Bob Bradley's 23 man roster next summer and neither did so. Each might have doomed himself to watching the games from the couch instead of the bench in South Africa next summer.