IMOTGP exclusive: An American Shines in Europe!

Our next great hope!

Many a United States football fan has searched for hope for our lads across the pond. And our boys are in the news. Whether it's Christian Pulisic's transfer value or former Premier League defender DeAndre Yedlin moving to the Championship and Newcastle United, there is plenty of news to digest. U.S. fans can also enjoy analytical pieces on 20 year-old sensation Lynden Gooch, if they desire.

That is all well and good but what if we told you that you can look at your early standings at a European league head and shoulders above the MLS and see an American leading the way for the team atop the table? Well folks, the time to do that is now and to take a gander at this table.

That's right, the league that Yedlin will soon gain valuable experience in sees Huddersfield Town right at the top. It's dizzying times for coach David Wagner as he oversees an astounding turnaround.

The Terriers were near the bottom of the table a season ago with 51 points in 19th place as Wagner took over and had wretched results for these stumbling, bumbling also-rans.  But some shrewd implementation of his playing philosophy has infused a renewed sense of confidence in his side.

What is that philosophy? Well, for starters, Wagner does not have the football background of some stodgy Sam Allardyce-type Brit but is rather a product of world champion Germany's system and a German-American to boot. He's a Jurgen Klopp disciple, claiming he knows Klopp better than his wife. (No word on which coach Wagner's wife knows better!) Anyway, Wagner spent time with Kloppo at Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, coaching Pulisic, Joe Gyau and Terrence Boyd at BVB.

Wagner has already masterminded a victory over Rafa Benitez and Newcastle, only dropping points against Aston Villa. They head into Saturday's matchup with Wolves - one of four teams below them on eight points - with plenty of momentum.

"Of course, we are fearless at the moment," Wagner said. "We have every reason to be confident."

Wagner is also a familiar name to longtime U.S. fans, spending time with the national team back in the day as the son of an American serviceman and German mother. A former teammate of Eric Wynalda, it's little doubt that Wagner would represent a major upgrade as U.S. national team coach.

Said Wynalda: "Some guys you just know. If anything, he was just a big sponge and wanted to learn and understand everything about his surroundings. The real leaders are the ones that never stop learning. He is the kind of guy that will fall into that category."

So fans looking to broaden their Euro fandom can look no further than Huddersfield Town, where an American may lead them to the Premier League. This has been an IMOTGP exclusive!