Some Americans have gone, some have arrived and some are just trying to get back on the field as Germany's top two divisions let a new season unfold.

We have a lot to cover, so let's not stand on ceremony...

After a roller coaster season last year, Hannover 96 (11th in the Bundesliga in 2006/07) coach Dieter Hecking and manager Christian Hochstätter used the summer break to add some offensive quality to the team.

With Mike Hanke in from Wolfsburg, and Benjamin Lauth immigrating from local rivals HSV, the Reds added two well-known forwards, already Bundesliga proven. Hanke even holds the distinction of being the most expensive purchase in team history.

Another part of Hannover's youth philosophy is former UCLA midfielder Sal Zizzo. With his flashes and speed on the right flank, the US Under-20 international caught the interest of the Hannover scouts during the 2007 U-20 World Cup, and eventually signed a three-year contract. Zizzo meets a familiar face as San Diego native Steve Cherundolo starts into his 10th season with the team from Lower Saxony.

Expectations are usually very high in Hannover – even more since the team missed UEFA Cup qualification last season.

MG's verdict: The team might not get close to the UEFA Cup ranks, but the season goal of finishing among the top 10 is realistic. As Hannover added more quality and depth, the team should not have to bother with the relegation zone.

After a two-year absence from the Bundesliga, Hansa Rostock (second in the 2.Bundesliga in 2006/07, promoted) is back in the Germany's upper division.

Despite a relatively small budget of somewhere in the region of €25 million Euros - paling in comparison to league giants like Bayern Munich and Schalke - the club is financially healthy. This is the result of a solid and risk-averse leadership.

After the difficult sales of goalie Mathias Schober and defender Gledson, only €500,000 were left to be invested for eight new players in all - but some of the new buys are promising guys, like goalkeeper Stefan Wächter from HSV, Naval de Maio defender Orestes Junior Alves, and mainly, 22-year old California fullback Heath Pearce, who came from FC Nordsjælland on a free transfer. He signed for three years in the hopes of solidifying the left side of defense.

"We want to fit into the league," Pearce told American Soccer Daily. "I don't think we should consider ourselves outsiders. Exceeding expectations personally and as a team are my goals."

CF's verdict: Reaching 15th place would be a great success for everybody. They didn't look good in the opener at Bayern, but the road does get a bit easier from that starting point.

Ever since finishing only three points above the drop last season, the team backed by auto-industry giant Volkswagen has undergone a complete transformation. Last year, VfL Wolfsburg (15th in the Bundesliga in 2006/07) found themselves waning between contesting a UEFA Cup spot and avoiding the drop.

In the summer since, a new high profile manager has come into the fray in former Bayern trainer Felix Magath, and along with him has come a lot of spending.

Ricardo Costa Joins from 2004 Champions League winners Porto, joining new-buys Edin Dźenko, loaned Stuttgart midfielder Christian Gentner and HSV midfielder Alexandre Laas. For former UCLA Bruin striker Kamani Hill, the difficultly will most certainly be breaking through the numbers to get time on the field. With a new coach to impress and new faces to work past, it's going to be a big challenge.

JDJ's verdict: Hill proved himself prolific in every prior phase of his soccer-career, and there is no doubt that he has a lot of talent. However, in Magath he has a manager experienced at winning, and who seeks experience for success. Without any real league grounding, he could easily find himself on the backburner of club plans, with Wolfsburg turning the heat up on UEFA Cup ambitions.

The club has a lot of goods - and like Manchester City of the EPL - could well prove to be a surprise package this season, maybe finalizing a sixth place finish by season's end.

After a year that even bore a UEFA Cup ticket for fair play, Jürgen Klopp and his Mainz 05 (16th in the 2.Bundesliga in 2006/07, relegated from Bundesliga) men finally lost their battle to stay in the first division. For American defender Neven Subotic, the drop might be a blessing in disguise, with roster changes and a drop in level signaling in increase in playing time.

Mimoun Azaaouagh, Tim Hoogland and Leon Andreasen all jumped ship, but it will be most notably Manuel Friedrich's absence that clears up room at the back for the young American.

Klopp is a tactician of the highest order, and for Mainz, there will be little time afforded for simmering under the highest division.

"The team expects a good season, to win as many games as we can," Subotic told American Soccer Daily "And, if at the end we can be promoted, than so be it. Either way, its not expected of us to move up again after our first year."

"From myself, I expect to make as many games as I can and get that experience that I need to make a push for a starting spot eventually."

JDJ's verdict: The team has lost a lot of depth, and even with the drop in level, is in for a good fight. Klopp, however, is known for his good eye and unorthodox appearance, and will be crucial to any plans of heading back up immediately.

For St. Pauli (Regionalliga Nord champions in 2006/07, promoted), the tail end of last season was a whirlwind. The team went on a tremendous run of form under new coach Holger Stanislawski, who bound the group together and created self belief.

For American left back Ian Joy, promotion meant a change in plans, as the fullback shelved a move abroad or back stateside to keep a good thing going.

There are some new faces in Björn Brunnemann and former Bochum striker René Schnitzler, while the trappings of a very solid and technically capable team were already available in Charles Takyi, Thomas Meggle and Marvin Braun.

All expectations will be place squarely on survival, but that won't stop supporters from dreaming of higher.

"There are no serious goals for us this season," Joy told American Soccer Daily. "We're trying to take it one game at a time."

"It's pretty much the same squad of guys from last season, and we're all ready to rock and roll. We want to do the best we can."

JDJ's verdict: The team has some added firepower thanks to summer market moves, and if the management can keep everyone motivated, this is most certainly a 2.Bundesliga team.

Facing financial problems and the threat of relegation to the third division, 1860 Munich (eighth in the 2.Bundesliga in 2006/07) survived a rough year.

Danny Schwarz replaces Gregg Berhalter as captain, and the team welcomes back two players who have already donned the Lions jersey in the Bundesliga, as 1860 acquired Daniel Bierofka and Markus Schroth from VfB Stuttgart.

With nine players leaving and four new players in the team, 1860 continues decreasing salary commitments while adding quality. Josh Wolff, who joined in the winter of last season, will play a mayor role in the lineup of coach Marco Kurz as he seems to be set on the right wing.

Though the fan expectations and financial needs are high, the management around Stefan Reuter is only expecting a top-10 finish.

MG's verdict: The team might become one of the contending teams, although Cologne, Mönchengladbach and Mainz have more potential on paper. With Kurz continuing his successful work and crazy crowds supporting the team, 1860 might find itself back in the Bundesliga next summer. Watch Wolff light up the Lions scoreboard as the chase unfolds.

Last season, Josh Grenier and TuS Koblenz (12th in the 2.Bundesliga in 2006/07) defied many expectations as new additions to the league, ending three slots above the relegation zone after promotion from the Regionalliga South.

The American defender put in a solid campaign, although it finished with an injury spell, further compounded by a bout with appendicitis as the season drew to a close.

Summer buys Branimir Bajić, Dragan Bogavac and speedy South Korea midfielder Du-Ri Cha join the squad to add some depth and class as the team looks to build on last year's quest for survival.

Another year more experienced and wiser, emphasis will be on keeping the club in the league and solidifying Koblenz as a stable 2.Bundesliga competitor.

JDJ's verdict: Grenier will have to work hard to keep himself in contention, but after some solid displays last season, will have confidence to build on. The team, on the other hand, has a big fight on its hands as much quality has been added in the new boys, like Mainz, St. Pauli and Borussia Mönchengladbach.

For Joe Enochs and VfL Osnabrück (second in the 2.Bundesliga in 2006/07, promoted), the final weeks of last season were tumultuous to say the least. The team went from cruising along at the top to finding promotion nearly unattainable in a heartbeat.

Much like Enochs's never-say-die spirit, the team never let go and persevered to claim a valuable golden ticket to Germany's second division. There have been a number of changes, with striker Addy-Waku Menga (Hansa Rostock) and Gaetano Manno leaving, and Paul Thomik adding to the ranks.

As new boys back on the block, the season ahead provides many challenges and hurdles - but one certainly won't be a fan base, with half of Osnabrück lining up to fill the seats for every game.

"I really do not know what to expect this season," Enochs told American Soccer Daily. "The league is very tough with a lot of big names, but I don't think that there is a huge difference in quality throughout the league. Obviously there are the typical favorites, but they are under a lot of pressure to succeed and that could be an advantage we have over those top teams."

"We signed nine quality players in the offseason and if we are able to gel, we are going to surprise many teams. I am really excited for the new season and I expect a hard fight to the finish."

JDJ's verdict: The team might not boast the technical skill of some 2.Bundesliga rivals, but in players like Enochs and Thomik there is plenty of experience and savvy to put in a good fight. It might be a struggle to stay alive until the end, but these Violets pack a punch.