by FRANCO PANIZO
Wolverhampton Wanderers entered the Premiership season struggling mightily, having won only two games in its first three-and-a-half months in the league. But the tide turned for the club when Marcus Hahnemann made his team debut on Nov. 29, and this weekend's result was just the latest piece of evidence that Hahnemann is still capable of playing at a high level.
Hahnemann, who has helped Wolves win three out of the fives games he's played in, enjoyed a solid outing, as he made five saves against Burnley en route to posting his second shut-out of the season. The U.S. national team goalkeeper's performance in the 2-0 win helped push Wolves to 12th place in the Premiership's standings.
Hahnemann wasn't the only player to enjoy a solid weekend. DaMarcus Beasley continued his fine form by adding a goal and an assist in Rangers' rout of Motherwell, and Clint Dempsey notched an assist seconds into the second half of Fulham's 3-0 dismantling of Manchester United.
Not all was positive this weekend, though. Carlos Bocanegra failed to see the field for the third straight game for Stade Rennes, who defeated Paris Saint-Germain 1-0. Bocanegra, who has played in 14 league games this season, dressed, but was a spectator in the club's shut-out win as he was an unused substitute.
Here is how the Americans Abroad fared this weekend:
England
PREMIERSHIP
- Tim Howard started and played 90 minutes in Everton's 1-1 draw vs. Birmingham on Saturday.
- Jozy Altidore did not dress in Hull City's 3-0 loss vs. Arsenal on Saturday.
- Clint Dempsey started, played 90 minutes and had an ASSIST in Fulham's 3-0 win vs. Manchester United on Saturday.
- Eddie Johnson did not dress in Fulham's 3-0 win vs. Manchester United on Saturday.
- Jonathan Spector dressed but did not play in West Ham's 1-1 draw vs. Chelsea on Saturday.
- Brad Friedel started and played 90 minutes in Aston Villa's 1-0 win vs. Stoke City on Saturday.
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Brad Guzan dressed but did not play in Aston Villa's 1-0 win vs. Stoke City on Saturday.
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Marcus Hahnemann started, played 90 minutes and made five saves in Wolverhampton Wanderers' 2-0 win vs. Burnley on Saturday.
COCA COLA CHAMPIONSHIP
- Jay DeMerit started and played 90 minutes in Watford's 2-1 loss vs. Peterborough United on Saturday.
- Frank Simek came off the bench and played 36 minutes in Sheffield Wednesday's 2-0 loss vs. Swansea City on Saturday.
LEAGUE ONE
- Zak Whitbread did not dress in Millwall's 4-4 draw vs. Charlton Athletic on Saturday.
- Ian Joyce dressed but did not play in Southend United's 1-0 loss vs. Exeter City on Saturday.
- Mike Grella dressed but did not play in Leeds United's 1-0 win vs. Southampton on Saturday.
- Jemal Johnson dressed but did not play in Milton Keynes Dons' 1-0 loss vs. Brentford on Saturday.
- Jon-Paul Pittman came off the bench and played 37 minutes in Wycombe Wanderers' 2-2 draw vs. Oldham Athletic on Saturday.
Scotland
- Maurice Edu did not dress in Rangers' 6-1 win vs. Motherwell on Saturday.
- DaMarcus Beasley started, played 90 minutes, had an ASSIST and scored a GOAL in Rangers' 6-1 win vs. Motherwell on Saturday.
- Dominic Cervi did not dress in Celtic's 2-1 loss vs. Heart of Midlothian on Saturday.
Italy
- Oguchi Onyewu and AC Milan's game vs. Fiorentina was postponed due to snow. Onyewu is still recovering from a knee injury.
Germany
BUNDESLIGA
- Michael Bradley started and played 90 minutes in Borussia Moenchengladbach's 3-2 loss vs. Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.
- Steve Cherundolo started, played 90 minutes and received a yellow card in Hannover 96's 3-2 loss vs. VfL Bochum on Saturday.
- Sal Zizzo did not dress in Hannover 96's 3-2 loss vs. VfL Bochum on Saturday. He is recovering from a knee injury.
- Jermaine Jones did not dress in Schalke 04's 1-0 win vs. Mainz on Friday. He is recovering from a leg injury.
BUNDESLIGA 2
- Kenny Cooper did not dress in TSV 1860 Munich's 1-1 draw vs. FC Union Berlin on Sunday. He is recovering from a knee injury.
- Luis Robles and Kaiserslautern play FC Augsburg on Monday.
- Matt Taylor dressed but did not play in FSV Frankfurt's 1-0 win vs. TUS Koblenz on Friday.
- David Yeldell did not dress in TUS Koblenz's 1-0 loss vs. FSV Frankfurt on Friday. He is recovering from an injury.
France
- Carlos Bocanegra dressed but did not play in Stade Rennes' 1-0 win vs. Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday.
Portugal
- Freddy Adu dressed but did not play in Belenenses' 1-0 loss vs. Uniao de Leiria on Sunday.
- Kamani Hill did not dress in Vitoria de Guimaraes' 1-0 win vs. Rio Ave on Saturday.
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What do you think of these performances? Should Hahnemann be the U.S. team's number two goalkeeper? How optimistic are you about Beasley's form? What did you think of Dempsey's assist? Concerned by Bocanegra's benching, or do you think he will regain his starting spot?
Share your thoughts below.
While I know this is heresey to many on this site but, I said it when Jozy transfered and I will say it again: I do not think Jozy is ready to be a starter in the Premier League. His first touch is not good enough, his hold up play is not good enough, his finishing is not good enough, and he does not have the one-v-one skills to take on a defender. Realx, I am not saying he sucks, I am just saying he is not ready to be the #1 guy on a team in one of the best leagues in the world. Unfortunately, I don’t think Hull is the place for him to develop into that, either. It is not a good team and I do not trust the manager. He is stuck there until the end of the season and will likely have inconsistent playing time throughout. This is not good leading up to the World Cup or for his return to Villareal. They paid a lot without much return yet. However, I do hold out hope for the WC as Jozy has shown that he does not need to play all the time in order to produce for the USMNT. I think he is our best option up front right now and I hope he keeps his head down during training with an eye toward South Africa.
Dempsey did not start very well this year, but has really come on. His assist was fantastic as it was something he would not have done last year. A simple knockdown showing vision and touch. He was almost instrumental in another goal with an excellent long ball into Zamora. He has come from a guy who was criticized for too many tricks and not being “Prem quality” to a guy other teams plan for. Unfortunately, I think Hodgson gets more out of Dempsey than Bradley does. I don’t know if it is the quality of the supporting cast, lack of a defined role, team formation, style of play, but Dempsey is far better for Fulham than the USMNT.
Jozy’s only there until the end of the season, and then it’s back to Villareal. He better get settled quick.
That’s laughable. Ever consider the fact that Jozy hasn’t scored for Hull (and barely gets near the target), Spector is a spectator on too many goals, Aston Villa is ALREADY playing an American ‘keeper, Dempsey IS playing…..
I mean, if I have to hear one more person comment that they’re concerned about English players deliberately hurting American players or English managers aren’t playing Americans b/c they’re worried we’ll be too sharp come World Cup time….
No, i think he (Altidore) should stay on one team……and EARN his starting spot….can you imagine if Dempsey got up and ran when he first started at Fulham, in the beginning he didnt get playing time at all, now he’s one of their stars, i just think that Jozy needs to get settled in a team that can get him service, and STAY THERE, cuz moving from team to team won’t get him anywhere
Same goes for ADU
Dempsey is on a smoking hot streak. the assist header was sweet. I cannot wait to see him taking it to the English in the wc along with beasley.
I am concerned some managers in England may be deliberately denying their American players playing time ahead of the World Cup.
i think we should play jake ouimet up top with mike dunphy out wide
sorry, didn’t mean trade, meant as a transfer, obviously after the WC.
One Good thing about Altidore not playing against Arsenal: All the other forwards got absolutely nothing done. Hopefully, he gets back in it by default.
Overall, should really consider another club in a trade. I think he’s learned valuable lessons (how hard it is to start, not to mention score, against top class opposition), but he needs to learn how to score and play at the international level. Aint going to happen if he gets second rate passes and the clogged up play that Hull deliver. He won’t impress anyone.
If Timmy had Lucio,Maicon,Juan,Alvez, protecting the backfield, he would be consider the best goal keeper in the world!! 🙂 Cesar is a bit overated if you ask me.
I haven’t been able to see all his recent games, but from everything I’ve seen live and in highlights, Beasley has been on the right most of the time for Rangers. So I don’t think it’s coincidence or him playing on the left. I think it’s Beasley turning his game around and getting back on track. He must have worked very, very hard after this summer’s fiasco. Kudos to him and I’m very proud.
Re: Beasley, is he more effective because he’s playing on the left–where Guus played him at PSV–or do people think that is just a coincidence.
i find it hard to believe that if bob bradley came to him and offered him the number two job that he’d decline, at least i’m hoping this. guy can play and i couldn’t care less he wasn’t around for qualifying. i dont know how many other people follow baseball but i feel like it could be a scenario similar to a team signing a “retired” pitcher to a contract for the last 2 months of the year and playoffs. would be a major pickup even though i have total faith in guzan being the number two
When players go from team to team and still never see any playing time, it’s not the managers’ fault. If they’re good enough, they’ll play.
well what does it say when your team only scores 7 goals in 14 games and you still cant get off the bench…
Jilio Cesar is very good, but I think I’d take Howard over a him any day. Lately Julio Cesar looks he has eaten at his share of rodizios.
Don’t lose any sleep over Boca not playing this week with Rennes. He’s fine. One of the three matches he didn’t play was due to Yellow Card Suspension. He’ll play for Rennnes Wednesday which is their last match before the Christmas break in France.
Disheartening to see Altidore on the pine. Would rather see him in a mid-level Euro league getting weekly time. I know he’s young, but I feel he is essential to the #USMNT in 2010 and 2014
Another great Americans Abroad… it’s pretty clear that at least a few managers are making terrible decisions by benching some of our boys abroad… notably Adu and Altidore.
I don’t know what is a worse problem for the USMNT right now, the stubborn anti-american managers or the long list of injured players like Gooch/Jones/Davies.
WillyBoy-
Beasley does not have a confidence problem. He had a knee injury and is coming back into form.
Beasley is one of our most accomplished Yanks Abroad having played for a championship PSV side that also made a deep run into the Champions League. I believe Beasley has gotten the furthest as an American.
How quickly we all forget.
I kid
apparently Hahnemann does b/c that is where he lives, but i agree, wish we could trade our keeper depth for field players
But, who wants to live in England this time of year?
Seems we can’t have all of our yanks across the pond playing at the same time.
Bottom line is they all just aren’t good enough. They are in one-on-one battles for their positions, and are losing out in training. Bradley went through it last season, and came out stronger.
Same old story for Freddy. I’m over it. He needs to get out of Europe and get over himself, go somewhere where he will play, not make a splash in the newspapers and blogs. Nothing wrong with playing in the lower leagues of the world.
If Beasley keeps up this form, there is no way he doesn’t go to South Africa. It’s safe to say none of us saw this coming, and it will provide even MORE depth in the midfield for the Yanks.
Good point. Who the hell was the LB in that game. Cherundolo, Gooch, Pope. Wasn’t Boca playing LB
Lol you’re about 5 years late to the party
might wanna pick another country, Brazil has arguably the best keeper in the world with Julio Cesar, try England they could use one
easy to play sunday evening centerback. beasley has shown that he can pick up the pieces after several disappointments and work his way up the depth chart and into good form. his so-called timidity in wc-06 was because arena wanted him to drop back so deep to cover for the inept fullback (can you name the left fullback against italy?) he’ll be perfectly fine and will likely be a better option at forward than over-hyped jozy altidore
There’s a lot of white guys on England and Slovenia….just saying.
out of Boca, Gooch, and DeMarit, Boca is the only one that can play out of the back…
Heh. I wish. But, any motivated government can do whatever they want with paperwork 😉
“Hey, Marcus, did you know Brazil is awfully nice this time of year?” 😉
Sorry, I guess Friedel is actually formally retired from the USMNT, despite starting for the #4 EPL side…
His 2002 WC campaign was just awesome.
hey! lol
Can we trade one of our extra goalkeepers for another country’s defender or midfielder??
maaaaan….so many “did not dress” or “dressed but did not play.”
I think Guzan’s the clear #2 based on starts & performance in qualifying, Confed Cup, and friendlies. In addition, the 25-year-old Guzan will be handed the keys to the team after Tim Howard.
The question is, do you bring your 37-year-old #3 from the last World Cup, or one of your previous starters, Kasey Keller (40), Brad Friedel (38), just in case?
They’re all starting somewhere. Friedel, apparently may not be receptive to being a #3.
ya any word on why Jozy and Boca did not play/make the roster?
and #2 keeper; i agree that Guzan is the number 2, but if quality minutes with club decided national team spots, like it does with other positions, then Marcus would be it. but the number 2 GK is different than the number 2 left back or other positions, so no; Guzan keeps it
You’d think his size might have gotten him in the line-up against height-deprived Arsenal…
seems like Hull was playing ultra-defensive from the get go. anyways, it didn’t work.
The assist by DMB was really nice. What a well played ball. The goal was Ok just DMB out running a slow white boy
I think too many of the chaps dressed for the match.
I think Beasley has ample time to make his way back on the national team, and plenty of time to lose his current form in time for the big show. His critics are not venomous because he has no importance or talent. They are critical because, in the most crucial contests, both in 06 and at the Confed Cup, he has lost confidence and displayed unbelievable timidity. We can’t keep him away if he plays well right up to the WC, but I fear that one week is all he needs to fall apart.
I don’t think Hahnemann is our number two, Guzan has been exceptional whenever given an opportunity. Both Could easily be taken to South Africa as a judgement call. But I think Guzan has more than enough ability, and is the future in back for the nats.
As for those on the bench and injured… let’s hope it leads to a groundswell after the winter break.
Awesome. I love Americans Abroad. It’s one of my favorite services you provide, Ives. Gonna go up to the top and read it now 🙂
I think boca not playing is good cause it will force bob to play someone else. Think of the day when our backline could actually play out of the back instead of booting the ball forward.
It is great to see Beasley finally fully fit and playing with confidence. If he continues to find minutes for Rangers, he will be going to South Africa, and might even be starting. Any news on Jozy? Why wasn’t he even on the bench?
Ives, any word why Boca is riding the pine?
Could Jemal Johnson be a possible target for the MLS?
Any idea why Jozy didn’t make the 18?
Freddy’s team has played 14 matches and scored 7 goals…now I am not expert but it would seem to me that the manager might want to try something different… Freddy may not be the answer but what can it hurt when your team just blows…