A fresh start abroad

A favorite pastime of most MLS followers is trying to figure out which players will make the leap to a European club next. And if one were to travel back in time to April, there's a good chance that the name Danny Califf would not have entered the discussion. Names like Clint Dempsey and Eddie Johnson certainly would have been mentioned, but with Califf attempting a comeback from an injury-riddled season, it seemed unlikely that there would be too many teams from across the pond inquiring about his services.

But following a remarkable campaign with the San Jose Earthquakes, and his subsequent move to Danish side Aalborg BK, Califf, 25, is now the latest player to "graduate" from MLS.

At the start of the 2005 season, such a move was about as likely as, well, the Quakes being picked to win the Supporters' Shield. While Califf had long been one of the more highly rated defenders in MLS, his preseason with Los Angeles saw a continuation of the knee problems that plagued him in 2004, culminating in a February operation to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. With the Montclair, Calif., native in the last year of his contract -- and with Califf clearly at odds with head coach Steve Sampson -- the Galaxy opted to ship the defender north to San Jose for a portion of an allocation.

Initially, the change of scenery did little to alter Califf's fortunes. A nagging case of tendinitis slowed his progress, but in late May, Califf returned to the field, forging a partnership with Eddie Robinson that saw the San Jose defense become the stingiest in MLS. Although his season ultimately ended with a playoff loss to his former club, individual accolades began coming Califf's way, including a spot on the MLS Best XI.

Califf's performance this season raised more than a few eyebrows, although he felt it was well within his reach. Not only was the six-year veteran as tough in the tackle as ever, but his ability to organize the backline proved immense.

"I think it's a progression," Califf said. "I think I'm a much better player now than I was two years ago. I think I've matured a lot this year, but at the same time it's not surprising to me."

It was shortly after the end of the campaign that Califf's European quest began in earnest. A training stint in Holland drew some interest, but ultimately broke down over financial differences. Califf's subsequent spell with Aalborg bore near-immediate fruit, however.

"I went over there and enjoyed it," Califf said. "Then I think things kind of just took on a life of their own. I came home, [Aalborg] offered me a contract, and we just started negotiating."

Those negotiations turned out to be far from cut and dried, however. Despite being with San Jose for only nine months, Califf had developed an affinity for the area, and a sense of loyalty to a team that helped "resurrect my career." But with the team's future in San Jose still uncertain at the time, the scales were tipped in Aalborg's favor.

"It came down to a [situation] where I couldn't wait any longer or I would lose the contract," Califf said. "We've been hearing for the last two years, 'We're moving. No, we're staying.' You couldn't really count on anything to happen. I certainly couldn't count on the fact that the [Quakes] were going to be here. So I had to make a decision at that point without the knowledge [of the team's fate.]"

With the Quakes now officially relocated to Houston, Califf enters his European adventure with his conscience clear, and his eyes wide open. He consulted with several players, including erstwhile teammate Wade Barrett, about the potential pitfalls that an overseas move can bring, and there are plenty of them.

There's the shock of adjusting to a new way of life, the weather, and a new soccer culture. The language can present problems as well, although Califf states that the abundance of English speakers should make settling in Denmark easier than it would be in other countries.

"I don't even think I learned a Danish word while I was over there because everyone spoke English," Califf says. "I think that played a little bit into my decision. It just seemed that the culture shock wasn't as much as it could have been."

Then there is the proverbial gorilla in the corner that no player wants to acknowledge: the stigma that accompanies an American player in Europe.

"Certainly being a foreigner, being an American, you're not necessarily respected as much as in MLS, and you are the first guy they turn on when things go sour," Califf says. "But for me personally, the good outweighs the bad in this situation."

The "bad" includes how this move might affect Califf's chances of earning a spot on next summer's World Cup roster. In a season with a long list of personal triumphs, Califf's inclusion in the last few World Cup qualifiers ranked as one of the biggest. But his exclusion from the friendly in Scotland reinforced the sense that his chances of making the team were slim, and those long odds made committing to MLS for the next four years less than appealing. As Califf weighed his options, a feeling of "now or never" took over.

"This was really the only opportunity I would have in my career of being able to branch out and experience something new," Califf says. "If I didn't take this chance, I wasn't going to get it again. If I was basing [staying home] on the slim chance of making the World Cup roster, it was too big of a risk."

For that reason, Califf turned down Bruce Arena's invitation to the national team camp in January, choosing instead to join up with his new team at the start of the year. And while he has not abandoned all hope of going to Germany in the summer, he won't be spending too much time by the phone waiting for Arena's call.

"If things happen and I end up still being able to break into the team, and be a regular again, that would be brilliant," Califf said. "But I've got to try and set up what's going to be my job day in and day out, and what works best for me in that respect."

That job is one that Califf hopes will land him with an even bigger European club in years to come. And that ought to give MLS watchers another pastime to enjoy.

Jeff Carlisle covers MLS and the U.S. national team for ESPNsoccernet. He can be reached at eljefe1@yahoo.com