Top Stories

Americans Abroad: Weekend Rewind

By IVES GALARCEP

While the U.S. Men’s National Team’s loss to Honduras on Wednesday put a sour taste on the week for American soccer players, the weekend helped to provide plenty of bright spots around the globe.

In England, Brad Guzan made some clutch late saves to help Aston Villa post a crucial 2-1 victory against West Ham United. The win, Villa’s first in two months, helped the team climb out of the relegation zone.

In Mexico, DaMarcus Beasley reminded us that he is still very much an attacking threat after scoring a pair of quality goals in Puebla’s 3-1 win vs. San Luis on Saturday.

In Germany, young American forward Bobby Wood enjoyed one of the best games of his young career, scoring a goal and help setting up another in 1860 Munich’s 3-1 win vs. Duisburg on Saturday. The former U.S. Under-20 forward has quietly become making a name for himself with the Bundesliga 2 side.

Another bit of good news out of Germany included Michael Parkhurst’s Bundesliga debut. The U.S. national team fullback made his debut for Augsurg on Saturday, coming in before halftime to put in a half of playing time in a loss.

Here is a rundown of how American players fared in top leagues around the world this weekend:

ENGLAND

Premiership

  • Tim Howard started, played 90 minutes and made four saves in Everton’s 2-0 loss to Manchester United on Sunday.
  • Clint Dempsey started, played 90 minutes and drew a free kick that led to a goal in Tottenham’s 2-1 win vs. Newcastle on Saturday.
  • Brad Friedel dressed but did not play for Tottenham.
  • Brad Guzan started, played 90 minutes and made three saves in Aston Villa’s 2-1 win vs. West Ham on Sunday.
  • Eric Lichaj did not dress for Aston Villa.
  • Sebastian Lletget did not dress for West Ham.
  • Geoff Cameron came off the bench and played seven minutes in Stoke City’s 2-1 win vs. Reading on Saturday.
  • Brek Shea did not dress for Stoke City.

Championship

  • Tim Ream  dressed but did not play in Bolton’s 2-1 win vs. Burnley on Saturday.
  • Stuart Holden did not dress for Bolton.
  • Jonathan Spector did not dress in Birmingham City’s 1-1 tie vs. Charlton Athletic on Saturday.  He is recovering from an injury.
  • Will Packwood did not dress for Birmingham City. He is recovering from a broken leg.
  • Conor Doyle did not dress in Derby County’s 2-2 tie vs. Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
  • Zak Whitbread did not dress in Leceister City’s 2-1 loss to Peterborough United on Saturday.

League One

  • Frank Simek started and played 90 minutes in Carlisle United’s 2-1 win vs. Stevenage on Saturday.
  • Mike Grella started and played 60 minutes in Scunthorpe United’s 2-1 win vs. Crawley Town on Saturday.

SPAIN

La Liga

  • Oguchi Onyewu did not dress in Malaga’s 2-1 win vs. Levante on Saturday.

Segunda Division

  • Carlos Bocanega  did not dress in Racing Santander’s 1-0 win vs. Huesca on Saturday.

ITALY

  • Michael Bradley started and played 66 minutes in AS Roma’s 3-1 loss to Sampdoria on Sunday.

GERMANY

Bundesliga

  • Jermaine Jones started and played 90 minutes in Schalke 04’s 4-0 loss to Bayern Munich on Saturday.
  • Fabian Johnson started and played 90 minutes in TSG 1899 Hoffenheim’s 1-0 loss to Hannover 96 on Saturday.
  • Danny Williams came off the bench and played 12 minutes for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.
  • Timmy Chandler started and played 90 minutes in FC Nurnberg’s 0-0 tie vs. Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.
  • Steve Cherundolo did not dress in Hannover 96’s 2-0 loss vs. Werder Bremen on Friday. He is recovering from knee surgery.
  • Michael Parkhurst played 47 minutes and drew a yellow card in FC Augsburg’s 1-1 draw vs. Mainz 05 on Sunday.
  • David Yelldell did not dress in Bayer Leverkusen’s 3-3 tie vs. Borussia Moenchengladbach on Saturday.

2. Bundesliga

  • Bobby Wood started, played 90 minutes and scored a GOAL and helped set up another in TSV 1860 Munich’s 3-1 win vs. Duisburg on Saturday.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnnV2snsn0k]

  • John Anthony Brooks and Alfredo Morales and Hertha Berlin play Union Berlin on Monday.
  • Andrew Wooten started, played 90 minutes and recorded an assist in SV Sandhausen’s 3-1 win vs. St. Pauli on Sunday.
  • Joe Gyau dressed but did not play for St Pauli.

NETHERLANDS

  • Jozy Altidore started, played 90 minutes and drew a yellow card in AZ Alkmaar’s 3-1 loss to Feyenoord on Sunday.

PORTUGAL

  • Tony Taylor came off the bench and played 10 minutes in G.D. Estoril Praia’s 2-0 win vs. Guimaraes on Saturday.
  • Caleb Patterson-Sewell dressed but did not play in Vitoria Setubal’s vs. Gil Vicente on Sunday.

TURKEY

  • Maurice Edu started and played 90 in Bursaspor’s 3-0 win vs. Kardemir Karaburk on Saturday.

BELGIUM

  • Sacha Kljestan started and played 90 minutes in RSC Anderlecht’s 2-1 win  vs. Waasland-Beveren on Sunday.

MEXICO

  • DaMarcus Beasley came off the bench, played 33 minutes and scored TWO GOALS in Puebla’s 3-1 win vs. San Luis on Saturday.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE6l84O5Xak]

  • Michael Orozco Fiscal started and played 90 minutes for Puebla.
  • Herculez Gomez  started and played 90 minutes in Santos Laguna 1-0 loss to Pachuca on Sunday.
  • Hector Joya did not dress for Santos Laguna.
  • Jose Torres  started and played 78 minutes in Tigres UANL’s 4-1 win vs. Toluca on Sunday.
  • Jonathan Bornstein did not dress for Tigres UANL.
  • Edgar Castillo started and played 57 minutes in Club Tijuana’s 2-1 loss to Club America on Saturday.
  • Joe Corona came off the bench and played 24 minutes for Club Tijuana.
  • Greg Garza did not dress for Club Tijuana.
  • Ventura Alvarado did not dress for Club America
—–

What do you think of these performances? Think Guzan is starting to play his way into some playing time for the U.S. national team? See Beasley getting a look from Klinsmann soon? See Parkhurst settling in with Augusburg and pushing Timmy Chandler for the starting right back role on the US. national team?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I just want to say that I posted on this site BEFORE JK picked the side against Honduras, and I wrote that Beasley should be in the squad.

    My opinion has not changed.

    Reply
  2. Bradley was substituted after 66 minutes? Oh man, if he wasn’t injured I hope this doesn’t signal he lost his starting role.

    Reply
    • I don’t think that it is a sign of losing is starting role. Roma was getting curb stomped by a not so good Sampdoria team and they needed attackers on the field.

      Reply
    • Bradley must be exhausted after playing last weekend, midweek, then over the weekend. I am not surprised he was subbed out.

      He’s been one of their only standout players this season.

      Reply
  3. I really don’t get why guys like Bornstein, Boca and Gooch don’t just come back to MLS to either finish out their careers close to home or do an EJ and try to get back into prime form for a USMNT bid. And if it’s for the money, that’s just plain stupid.

    Reply
    • Yeah, what kind of moron chooses a job based on something like salary? What fools they are! It’s not as if they have a limited window in which to make as much money as they can because they’re in a profession where they only have twenty years, tops, to work. Imbeciles, all of them!

      Reply
      • In my opinion Mike, they could and would get playing time in MLS. But with at least Gooch and Bornstein they aren’t playing for the USA anymore unless something freaky happens. So why not stay get paid more and try to break into tougher squads. Boca is still in the team but is on his last legs. So I could see him needing to stay as fit as possible and if MLS could give him that why not. Just my thoughts.

    • I find it ridiculous, insulting and unaimaginable you’ve included Bornstein’s name with the likes of Onyewu and Bocanegra.

      For any reason.

      Reply
      • “Old School says: I find it ridiculous, insulting and unaimaginable you’ve included Bornstein’s name with the likes of Onyewu and Bocanegra.

        For any reason.”

        Old School,

        Perhaps you are not aware of Bornstein’s accomplishments?

        He earned his place alongside Boca and Gooch. He had his share of bad games but he did well in his World Cup games.

        Do you know what the USMNT’s record is between 2008 and 2010 when Bornstein was in the game?

        15 wins, 10 losses and 1 draw

        In competitive games, i.e. WC, WC qualifying, Gold Cup, etc. the record was:

        8 wins, 6 losses and 1 draw.

        My guess is that is why Bradley kept playing him so much.

      • “Perhaps you are not aware of Bornstein’s accomplishments?”

        I’m going to stop you right there.

        Perhaps you’re not aware of reality. This isn’t the first time I’ve seen you come to his “defense” and while generally you’re very credible, you lose it all, for me, on this basis.

      • Now you are getting into mythology.

        Teams are evaluated on wins and losses.

        Players are evaluated by their contribution to that.

        The record is out there for anyone to look up.

  4. No worries, there are people still asking for Gyau to get a call up to start/play in a WCQ qualifier and basing criticism against the coach for not doing so.

    Reply
  5. One great aspect of the Dual DM is that they can apply double pressure with CB and Back’s while playing defense. Dual pressure is something the U.S. does very well. Italy is very much known for dual pressuring. Michael Bradley is very good at that. All of our DM are good at that. I like the tandem of Bradley and Jones doing this job because they can directly begin attacks with there good vision and situational awareness at speed after winning the ball. Edu is very good at this. I remember Edu being one of our best players in the last World Cup. I still have not forgave Bradley for starting Clark over Edu against Ghana in the WC. A combo of Bradley and Edu as a DM pairing would be nice to see providing Jones stays central. I’m telling you now Aquino and Reyna on Mexico will need to be shut down or taken out of the game long enough for the U.S. to make a big difference.

    Reply
    • Can you apply that kind of pressure when your mid is being congested? Worked for Honduras…worked for Ghana in the cup too, what do we do against that?

      Reply
    • In a less-important situation I’d say I would agree with you. Every player needs to know his place isn’t guaranteed and only performing at your highest level consistently merits consistent starts. That said, messing with your main defensive organizer and removing all of his experience in qualifying just doesnt sound like a great idea to me.

      Reply
      • Yes, Howard did a great job of organizing the US defense on that second Honduran goal.

        Great leadership and organization from the Captain.

      • Aww come on man. Why does everyone on the interwebs do this? I say one thing, a relatively reasonable statement regarding an overall situation, and someone else tries to twist the meaning and relevancy of that statement with one example clearly intended to discount that point.

        I’ll translate: Cameron makes a mistake in D on a player dribbling into the box, then Omar doubles that mistake by not following his marker letting him run freely past him and recovering when it was way too late. And this is an example of why Howard is now unfit to organize the US defense?

        It’s a two-way street man. Guzan has been getting hammered at AV. But everyone generally agrees AV’s defense is woefull and hangs Guzan out to dry on multiple occasions. But from this I could equally conclude that Guzan is woeful at organizing AV’s backline.

        In other words, both keepers are struggling with roughed fences. But my original point still stands: Howard brings concacaf experience, tried and tested game experience, whereas Guzan does not yet.

      • Clearly iPad thinks “rough defenses” means roughed fences, a problem I doubt either player encounters often, unless you count the cages put around the field like Saprissa.

      • I liked rough fences better. Rough defenses does not have a ring to it. Roughed fences also gave me an hilarious mental picture.

      • One might also ask, if you don’t play Guzan now, when will or should he play to get concacaf experience? Fair question. IMO, in the extreme, during the early stages of qualifying against teams like Antigua and Barbuda for example. But at the very least starting in Gold Cup matches against the same countries, and other friendlies or games that would apply. Until then, you gotta go with Howard.

      • No you don’t.

        Like everything else it is a balance.

        Watch a replay and you’ll see Howard and Cameron clearly have some sort of communication mixup on the second goal, one of those “ you’ve got him, no I’ve got him , no you’ve got him” moments. It ended up with neither guy having him.
        This is understandable from a normal keeper but Timmy is supposed to be”world class “ to USMNT fans. And maybe you did not notice but he was also the captain. Captains are expected to lead their young, inexperienced teammates. You have to expect more from Timmy. As the keeper the entire thing developed in front of him while Cameron did not have as good a view. I expected him to take charge on that mixup with Cameron (only 6 caps!) and he clearly did not.

        But then again I’ve seen this sort of thing with Timmy before so it’s not surprising. And I fear we will see it again. It’s a weakness of his.

        One thing to think about is that Howard has a pretty solid veteran defense at Everton while Guzan does not at Villa.
        However, the same standard applies to Guzan in terms of organizing his defense. The difference is I haven’t seen a lot of Villa matches this year but Lambert, the manager has.

        And he keeps putting Guzan out there even though he has the experienced Shay Given available.

        Villa are in relegation trouble so my expectation is Lambert will play the players who give him the best chance to win. And given the score lines of Villa’s games, it’s obvious Lambert is not blaming Guzan for them. Now it is possible that Lambert is incompetent but the evidence suggests he knows more about keepers than you or I do.

      • Look, you might NOT be wrong. Put Guzan and he stops every shot from now until the World Cup final. I mean it’s possible. He’s a great keeper. No doubt about it. But IMO, you gamble with young attacking talent, or out wide. Not down the spine. Certainly not at the very, very back (keeper). I mean what in the heck was JK thinking starting three untried (in concacaf) defenders on the same back line! Don’t f with the spine! Boca, tho definitely on the decline, does not make that mistake Cameron or Omar makes. If we’re gonna gripe about bad tactical errors, I think we can both agree that Howard v Guzan is the least of our worries!

      • “MemRook says:
        Look, you might NOT be wrong. Put Guzan and he stops every shot from now until the World Cup final. I mean it’s possible. He’s a great keeper. No doubt about it. But IMO, you gamble with young attacking talent, or out wide. Not down the spine. Certainly not at the very, very back (keeper).”

        In the first place, Guzan is not young talent.

        He’s been around and is no stranger to high pressure. Certainly more so than most of the current newbie bunch. He’s been with the USMNT since at least 2009.

        He was the keeper in the much ballyhooed 2009 Confederations Cup game when the US HAD to beat Egypt by a 3-0 margin to advance. He had to keep a clean sheet and he did.

        He was the back up in the World Cup in 2010.

        Every game he is playing right now in Villa’s relegation threatened season is big time multi-million dollar pressure unlike anything most of the other guys, whose teams are not in relegation danger, on the USMNT roster are facing. If Villa stay up he’ll be one of the prominent reasons.

        In the second place, we don’t know what shape Boca was in. He wouldn’t have been on the bench if he couldn’t play but being on the bench and being 100% ready to play are two different things. He had a hamstring issue a few weeks ago and they can be pretty tricky.

        The fact is the US is going to need Gonzo ( and Chandler and Fabian) sooner or later. My first guess, and this is 100% guess, is that when the lineups came out , Boca was not completely 100% and JK, a well known risk taker, decided that since Gonzo needs to get blooded sooner or later, sooner is better than later. It was the first game and a gamble worth taking. And the one thing I don’t see anyone talking about is that Gonzo nearly equalized on that last second header. He probably should have.

        And if you are one of those people who are about to jump off a bridge over the Honduras loss you should know that the 2002 World Cup team, who were arguably our best World Cup team ever, finished third in the HEX with losses to Honduras, 3-2, Costa Rica, 2-0, and Mexico 1-0.

        They wound up with 17 points and qualified with one game left, beating Jamaica 2-1 at Foxboro.
        The last game was a 0-0 draw with TNT and that gave them their 17th point. So if anyone tells you this team is doomed they are full of it. This team has a long history of starting slow and finishing fast.

        The USMNT is a very long way from bombing out of World Cup qualifying.

        “I mean what in the heck was JK thinking starting three untried (in concacaf) defenders on the same back line! Don’t f with the spine! Boca, tho definitely on the decline, does not make that mistake Cameron or Omar makes. If we’re gonna gripe about bad tactical errors, “

        You say that but did you notice how Cameron was the worst of them? So much for CONCACAF experience.

        Give me a break. You were not one of those billions of USMNT fans who have been dying to get Boca out of there any way they could and putting in a Golden Boy CB pairing of Cameron Gonzo? The same people who are dying to get rid of our too old, Dolo and Donovan?

        Boca was finished remember? He has no speed. He’s playing in the second division. How many times did you see that Cameron – Gonzo pairing in these imaginary lineups everyone so loves to post. Fricking Arena was bitching before the game about how it Gonzo’s call up was way overdue. Most of you were worried that Boca would commit exactly the kind of error that Gonzo or Cameron did.

        “I think we can both agree that Howard v Guzan is the least of our worries!”

        Maybe.

        Howard had a very disappointing 2010 World Cup but his decline did not seem to be that big a deal before this game but if he keeps doing this you have to pull him.

        Howard’s inability to take charge of Cameron resulted in a goal. Without that goal the score is 1-1 and maybe it stays that way. How valuable is one point? It might be the difference between qualifying and going home.
        And the problem with that is that once you do that, going back is very hard. And Howard is a big personality on that team. Guzan is a better keeper and he is playing better for his club but only JK can tell you if the upgrade is worth the potential disruption of the team.

      • I am not gonna go back and forth with you on this much longer cux it’s clear we both have our opinions about certain things. But just two small points:

        You completely and totally did not read/comprehend what I said about Guzan and not gambling on him, but instead, IMO, you should gamble out wide and closer to goal (young, attacking talent). Basically I’m AGREEING with you that Guzan is none of those things (young attacking talent).

        Second: I never once presumed anything about your assumptions regarding “what you thought before” or “what type of fan you are” etc. So please don’t do me the discourtesy of presuming the same about me. I do have some concerns yes, but I’m far from panicking. If you must know, in similar situations I have always advocated that at the end of the day we are fans and should fully support our boys who are out there no matter what. (coaches IMO should be a slightly different story).

      • I like the idea of starting Guzan in the Gold Cup, but I agree that we should keep Howard in goal unless he shows a truly horrible run of form for Everton.

      • Howard has been playing at a world class level for years. Yes, he’s had a dip in form for the last year or so, but I’d hardly say he’s been “horrible.”

      • Arguable. He was Man of the Magch against England. Poor against Slovenia but blame the defense. Good against Algeria. Weak against England. Id say he had a C+ at the WC

  6. Dempsey finishes this season with 10league goals and 7 league assists.. over/under

    Jozy finishes this season with 25 league goals and 6 assists? over/under

    Reply
    • Doubt Shea sees meaningful time this season. He wasnt quite lightening up MLS last season. All I want to see from him is a good attitude and time off the bench. Holden did show us that you can jump straight into the team so lets see.

      Shea is also coming off survey and didn’t ha e a preseason so he’s miles behind his teammates.

      Reply
    • Concacaf qualifying is ALL about who can contribute RIGHT NOW. When was the last the last the Shea played a meaningful match? Zusi is not a wide player, nor is he as in-season form as Beasley. And clearly you’re not paying too much attention because a fit, healthy Donovan is a game changer in qualifying.

      Reply
    • Beasley is too old? This is the full national team we are talking about, not the U-20s. No way he’s close to too old to contribute.

      Reply
    • I hope this is a joke. Beasley is the most decorated Yank when it comes to UCL play.

      He’s the same age as LD, is actually playing games now, and is a lot faster than Zusi. He also played a role in the win at the Azteca.

      Reply
    • Herc’s off the ball movement and timing of his runs has been immaculate today. Whether or not his teammates find him with good passes is another thing. A couple good shots and a header on goal today too.

      Reply
  7. Love what Wood is quietly doing in Germany. I hope he gets a run out in the Gold Cup. Him and Agudelo out wide are perfect winged forwards for Klinsi’s system and the Gold Cup is a perfect time to give them both a solid look.

    Albeit depending on Agudelo’s start to the season, and sadly our desperation, we may see him suit up a lot earlier.

    Reply
    • Looking at this list gets me excited for the Gold Cup as well…

      ——————————Guzan

      Lichaj ———– Brooks——-Besler———–Castillo

      —————————Morales

      —————-Mixx——————Corona

      Wood——————Boyd——————-Gyau

      Granted, it’s a long ways off and a lot could change in that time, but I think the Gold Cup represents a huge opportunity for the younger fringe guys to show what they could do.

      Reply
      • While I agree with your premise about an opportunity for younger fringe guys, I think it’ll have a little more experienced look to it. Something like…

        ——————————Guzan

        Morales ———–-Fiscal——-Besler———–Castillo

        —————————Beckerman

        —————-Mix——————Corona

        Agudelo——————Boyd——————-Shea

      • While I would love to see Brooks with the USNT come the Gold Cup, I just don’t see it. If the US U-20’s make the World Cup he will be with them….or if the stories about Germany being interested are true he could very well be with them this summar. I’d therefore put Gonzalez or some other MLS CB in that spot.
        I’d also move Corona into the spot you have Gyau…and slip Shea into the slot where Corona was.
        Otherwise I lkie it….especially glad you didn’t have Beckerman in your starting 11…unlike David JS.

      • I’m not saying that is the Gold Cup lineup I would choose if it were up to me, but rather one I think Klinsmann might pick. But I do think Beckerman is better than most SBI posters give him credit for.

    • That would be a generous us of the term assist. Even MLS might not grant that assist on Dempsey’s initial long ball That said, you can say he had a hand in both goals.

      Reply

Leave a Comment