US Soccer is a strange scene right now, with many of the national team's stars coming back stateside to play in the MLS, even with offers from big European clubs on the table. On the other end of the spectrum, young American stars are leaving the MLS for big time opportunities in Europe.

Case and point, established men's national team stars Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey came to the MLS from a couple of Europe's biggest clubs in the world's top flight leagues. Bradley came to Toronto FC from Roma in Italy's Serie A, and US team captain Dempsey was playing for London outfit Tottenham FC before signing with Seattle. Bother surely were wooed in part by the big dollars thrown their way, and unlike th young stars trying their hand in Europe, they are more towards the end of their careers rather than beginning.

To sort of keep the equilibrium, young stars are heading to Europe after coming up through the MLS youth ranks, which is actually a positive for the league. If nothing else, it shows that the league's homegrown programs are robust and serving its intent: to nurture talent.

Therefore it's only natural that talented youngsters such as Matt Miazga want to leverage their power while they have it and move to the big clubs, especially when Chelsea comes calling. 

Following Miazga's lead are Christian Pulisic, Joshua Perez and Palmer Brown joining teams in the German Bundesliga, Serie A and Portuguese Primiera Liga. Pulisic has been able to do what Sounders homegrown player Jordan Morris couldn't, get big minutes in the German top flight. Pulisic is getting first team minutes for Borussia Dortmund, who are known for having one of the more passionate fanbases in all of Europe. Still only 17, the midfielder from Pennsylvania has already made three appearances since being brought up from the U-17 team in January.

Perez just completed a move to Italian side Fiorentina, a move that had been two years in the making. Only recently having turned 18, Fiorentina had to wait until he turned 18 to sign him as Perez does not have a European passport. Many expect him to be included in the first team, as the Florentines think so highly of him that they used one of their slots reserved for foreign players in order to sign him.

Palmer Brown has come up through Sporting Kansas City's homegrown program, and while he may not be making a permanent move to Portugal, should he impress he will no doubt be on the receiving end of some tempting offers. Brown will be on loan at one of FC Porto, one of Portugal's biggest clubs and a club that consistently sees its young talent move onto Europe biggest clubs. 

It's an exciting time for US Soccer, and we will be closely following these young stars closely.

Photo: Flickr/Erik Drost