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Americans Abroad: Kljestan scores in CL qualifier, Cherundolo captain and more

Sacha Kljestan 1 (Getty Images)  

By FRANCO PANIZO

Sacha Kljestan has had less than two months to adjust to life in Europe and with new club RSC Anderlecht, but he is already making his presence felt.

In his first UEFA Champions League start on Tuesday, Kljestan opened the scoring in the first leg of the third round qualifying fixture against Welsh club The New Saints. Kljestan netted in the seventh minute, paving the way for a 3-1 Anderlecht victory at Racehorse Ground in Wrexham, Wales.

Kljestan and Anderlecht will host the second leg at Constant Vanden Stock Stadium in Brussels on Aug. 3.

Here is some more Americans Abroad news from Tuesday:

Cherundolo named Hannover captain

Steve Cherundolo has spent all his 11 professional seasons with Hannover 96, and for the first time in his career he has been appointed the team's captain.

Hannover head coach Mirko Slomka appointed Cherundolo as captain during the team's training camp this week after the spot was left vacant due to Hanno Ballitsch's departure for Bayer Leverkusen earlier this summer. 

Cherundolo, Hannover's longest-serving player, agreed to a three-year contract extension in late June. He has served as deputy captain for the club in the past.

Peterlin signs with Plymouth Argyle

United States college product Anton Peterlin is set to sign with Championship club Plymouth Argyle on a one-year deal. A former Cal Poly SLO product, Peterlin will have a chance to make his European debut with Plymouth after impressing the club's new manager Peter Reid.

Peterlin was under contract with Everton last season but failed to make a first-team appearance. The 23-year-old midfielder was released by the club in June.

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What do you think of Kljestan scoring in a Champions League qualifier? How do you see Cherundolo faring as captain? Think Peterlin will succeed at Plymouth Argyle? 

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. “Best RB the US has ever produced. ”

    Over the long haul, yes. But for one World Cup it would be hard to beat Tony Sanneh.

    Reply
  2. I quite enjoy the Welsh Premier League (a Llanelli fan, myself), but the real story here is that TNS managed to score on a team like Anderlecht at all.

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  3. Reyna may have worn the Captain’s Band at one time or another for every club he’s played for except B.Lever. I recall, at times, he wore it for Rangers, Sunderland, and maybe even a game or two at ManCity. Don’t know if he wore it for Red Bull. He did wear for the US too.

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  4. A US International scoring a goal in the Champions League deserves respect and applause. I hope he succeeds there. What a way to start your career abroad.

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  5. I’ll admit, the Davies-Kljestan comparison was just kind of a fact I threw in there. However, you’re saying that Kljestan can’t see the game, and I completely disagree. He’s got good vision and skills. You’re really exaggerating. I mean, you’re picking on his problem with his recent form, which came down to an ankle injury and slump in confidence. Honestly, these fans saying stuff like ” I don’t want this guy near a USA jersey” just kind of annoy me. We don’t really have the depth to be acting like guys like Sacha are miles away from a roster spot. When Sacha was on, he could do all the stuff you’re saying he’s bad at. His passing could be suspect, but he’s not like Torres, where he connects passes under pressure for a living. Sacha’s more of a box to box midfielder/ attacking midfielder. Also, Sacha can be where he needs to be defensively and offensively. That’s why he and Bradley worked well together. He timed his movements forward and back so that there was never a gap in front of the defense.

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  6. I’m sure that’s a hell of a feeling to score a goal in a game like that… props to him. Tear up the town tonight, kid, you deserve that.

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  7. My parents live in Brussels, so my brothers and I got my Dad an Anderlecht jersey. Les Mauves et Blanc! They’re beloved there.

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  8. U.S.A. isn’t flush with dudes scoring in the Champs League. So I don’t really care who this was against–it’s pretty cool.

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  9. While in today’s footballing terms you are correct… Anderlecht is still one of the best supported teams in Europe and have won multiple European trophies…they rank 12th all time on the cup winners list in UEFA history…

    So while the Belgian league has been passed by several leagues due to TV money they still are pretty BIG club.

    Reply
  10. He was with Wolfsburg in the 1st division Bundesliga. They were promoted in spring 1997, and he went there on loan from Leverkusen.

    Back in those days, the internet commentariat would get all outraged every time Charles Odonkor started before him.

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  11. Listen, you can only beat the team that takes the field with you. Sure, the New Saints are a long way from the Nou Camp, but it was Kljestan’s competitive debut in Europe and he scored. That can only be a good thing for his confidence and playing time in the weeks ahead.

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  12. Good for Sacha. If he consistently gets games, shows some stuff and helps his team then that will be newsworty and so I hope he builds on this (and does not earn the dreaded Dressed but DNP or Did not Dress in the weekly Americans Abroad roundup).

    Reply

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