It was a busy summer for American stars, and GOAL is here to grade and rank all of the transfers that defined a very important window

The summer of 2023 will go down as a defining one for the United States men's national team. Not neccesarily because of anything that happened on the field, although the U.S. did win one trophy while squandering another. No, this summer was all about transfers, with most of the team's starting XI making club decisions that could define the 2026 World Cup cycle.

By the time that World Cup on home soil does roll around three years from now, the USMNT will no doubt be looking at this summer as the one where players either made their claim or fell by the wayside. Three years goes by quickly, and, as the USMNT's golden generation continues to develop, players can't afford to waste a single second of development in the coming years.

From superstars like Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun and Tyler Adams to rising stars like Gabriel Slonina and Malik Tillman, there were plenty of Americans on the move. Some, like Pulisic, were escaping difficult situations at their old clubs. Others, like Balogun, were taking a well-earned step up the ladder as they look to further their careers.

So with the transfer window now shut, GOAL is here to grade and rank the USMNT's big moves of the summer:

Getty17Erik Palmer-Brown (Panathinaikos)

After Troyes' relegation from Ligue 1, central defender Erik Palmer-Brown was on the move, joining Greek giants Panathinaikos. The move, though, takes the defender somewhat out of the public eye at a time where he could very well be vying for a spot with the USMNT.

No disrespect to the Greek league, but Palmer-Brown has taken a step down after spending the last two seasons in Ligue 1. The good news, though, is that he will have the opportunity to play in the Europa League, which could put him on the radar of bigger European clubs.

For this move to help Palmer-Brown get to where he needs to be, he'll need to shine on those European nights. If not, it'll be tough for him to break into the USMNT picture. Grade: C+

AdvertisementGetty Images16Matt Turner (Nottingham Forest)

Matt Turner needed a starting spot after spending his first, and only, season at Arsenal on the bench. He's found it at Nottingham Forest, but it is a bit precarious.

Turner has joined his fellow USMNT goalkeeper Ethan Horvath at the City Ground after Horvath failed to secure his own move away, despite starring at Luton Town last season, and looked set to be his international team-mate's back-up.

That was until Forest went out and signed Greece international Odysseas Vlachodimos, who has spent the last five years as a key player at Benfica. What that will end up meaning for Turner remains to be seen, but it's safe to say that a poor run of form could leave him in a precarious spot.

Before Forest signed Vlachodimos, this would have gotten a higher grade, but that move is perhaps an indication that manager Steve Cooper doesn't have full faith in Turner. It'll be up to him to prove he's the only goalkeeper they need, and he has the chance as he has begun the season as the No.1. Grade: B-

Getty15Brenden Aaronson (Union Berlin)

From the Championship to the Champions League, and, boy, did that seem unlikely! After a disastrous attacking season at Leeds, Brenden Aaronson has fallen upwards to Union Berlin, sealing a loan to a club that stunned the Bundesliga to finish in the top four last season.

Is Aaronson a natural fit in the German top-flight? Probably. He's all-effort and all-hustle, and German soccer tends to appreciate players that play in that manner. However, for Aaronson to make any sort of impact on a club at this level, he'll need to be a whole lot better than he was last season.

You can chalk up his Leeds struggles to a lack of confidence or lack of fitness, which could be understandable given the gruelling schedule he faced last season. This season, though, there can be no excuses as he faces a major 'prove it' campaign in Berlin.

Aaronson was a bit lucky to move to a club of this level, and it could be argued that he may have benefitted from a year in the Championship or in a lesser league. This move gives him the chance to show what he can do, but if he struggles again, he'll really have to claw his way back to a top league after this loan is over. Grade: B-

Getty14Matthew Hoppe (San Jose Earthquakes)

Matthew Hoppe simply needs to play soccer, wherever that is. After breaking through as a future star at Schalke, the forward has made a series of disastrous transfer decisions. Because of that, he now finds himself here, heading to MLS in hopes of reviving his career.

His goals at Schalke during the 2020-21 season saw him burst onto the scene, but, in the years since, he played just 23 games of senior soccer across four different leagues. Mallorca, Middlesbrough, Hibernian… none worked. It's been a tough tumble for the 22-year-old forward.

Now on loan with the Quakes, Hoppe just needs to get on the field and make up for the lost time of the past few years. There's a prospect in there still. You don't score goals in the Bundesliga by accident, but some team needs to figure out how to bring that talent out. Can it be the Quakes? Hoppe will hope so. It's time he finally finds a home. Grade: B