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Americans Abroad: Weekend Rewind

By FRANCO PANIZO

From a collective standpoint, the U.S. Men’s National Team forwards could not have asked for a better weekend, as three different players found the back of the net and another delivered a late game-winning assist.

Clint Dempsey, Herculez Gomez and Terrence Boyd were the players to get on the scoresheet, while Jozy Altidore continued his strong form with AZ Alkmaar by setting up the winner in their latest victory on a banner weekend for U.S. forwards.

Dempsey scored his second goal for Tottenham on Sunday, netting what was the eventual winner in Spurs’ 2-1 victory over Southampton by finishing from close range after the ball was desperately cleared into his path.

Boyd also tallied Sunday, scoring the second goal in Rapid Vienna’s 2-0 win against Red Bull Salzburg. Boyd netted his sixth league goal and eighth across all competitions with a thunderous, well-placed header in the second half of the match.

For Gomez, his strike on Saturday was bitter-sweet. The Santos Laguna striker helped his club inch closer to a comeback with his low shot late in the second half, but they still lost to Monterrey. 3-2. The goal was Gomez’s second in four days after scoring the winner in Santos’ CONCACAF Champions League win on Wednesday, and his fourth in the Liga MX Apertura campaign.

Altidore did not score in his first game back for AZ Alkmaar after serving a one-game suspension for a red card, but he dished out a clutch assist in the 88th minute of a 2-1 win against Vitesse Arnhem. With his back to goal, Altidore fought off a defender to get to a ball played over the top before turning and hitting a pass that a teammate finished to give AZ three more points in Eredivisie.

Here’s how the Americans Abroad did this weekend:

ENGLAND

Premiership

  • Tim Howard started, played 90 minutes and made two saves in Everton’s 2-2 draw vs. Liverpool on Sunday.
  • Brad Friedel started, played 90 minutes and made one save in Tottenham’s 2-1 win vs. Southampton on Saturday.
  • Clint Dempsey started, played 90 minutes before being substituted in stoppage time and scored a GOAL for Tottenham.
  • Brad Guzan started, played 90 minutes and made three saves in Aston Villa’s 1-1 draw vs. Norwich City on Saturday.
  • Eric Lichaj came off the bench and played 36 minutes for Aston Villa.
  • Geoff Cameron started and played 90 minutes in Stoke City’s 0-0 draw vs. Sunderland on Saturday.
  • Maurice Edu did not dress for Stoke City.

Championship

  • Tim Ream started and played 90 minutes in Bolton Wanderers’ 2-1 loss vs. Middlesbrough on Saturday.
  • Stuart Holden did not dress for Bolton Wanderers. He is recovering from a knee injury.
  • Jonathan Spector came off the bench in second half stoppage time in Birmingham City’s 1-0 win vs. Leeds United on Saturday.
  • Will Packwood dressed but did not play for Birmingham City.
  • Conor Doyle did not dress in Derby County’s 3-0 loss vs. Peterborough United on Saturday.
  • Zak Whitbread started and played 90 minutes in Leicester City’s 2-1 loss vs. Crystal Palace on Saturday.

League One

  • Frank Simek started and played 90 minutes in Carlisle United’s 4-2 loss vs. AFC Bournemouth on Saturday.
  • Robbie Rogers dressed but did not play in Stevenage’s 4-0 loss vs. Swindon Town on Saturday.
  • Mike Grella came off the bench and played 27 minutes in Scunthorpe United’s 3-0 loss vs. Milton Keynes Dons on Saturday.

SPAIN

La Liga

  • Oguchi Onyewu dressed but did not play in Malaga CF’s 0-0 draw vs. Espanyol on Saturday.

Segunda Division

  • Carlos Bocanega started and played 90 minutes in Racing Santander’s 1-0 loss vs. Elche on Sunday.

ITALY

  • Michael Bradley dressed but did not play in AS Roma’s 3-2 loss vs. Udinese on Sunday.

GERMANY

Bundesliga

  • Steve Cherundolo dressed but did not play in Hannover 96’s 3-2 loss vs. Borussia Moenchengladbach on Sunday.
  • Jermaine Jones started and played 90 minutes in Schalke 04’s 1-0 win vs. FC Nurnberg on Saturday.
  • Fabian Johnson started and played 90 minutes in TSG 1899 Hoffenheim’s 3-0 loss vs. Mainz on Saturday.
  • Danny Williams started, played 90 minutes and received a yellow card for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.
  • Timmy Chandler started and played 90 minutes in FC Nurnberg’s 1-0 loss vs. Schalke 04 on Saturday.
  • David Yelldell dressed but did not play in Bayer Leverkusen’s 2-1 win vs. Bayern Munich on Sunday.

2. Bundesliga

  • John Anthony Brooks started and played 90 minutes in Hertha Berlin’s 1-1 draw vs. TSV Eintracht Braunschweig on Friday.
  • Alfredo Morales dressed but did not play for Hertha Berlin.
  • Andrew Wooten started and played 90 minutes in SV Sandhausen’s 2-0 loss vs. MSV Duisburg on Saturday.
  • Joe Gyau came off the bench and played 45 minutes in St Pauli’s 3-2 win vs. Dynamo Dresden on Sunday.

NETHERLANDS

  • Jozy Altidore started, played 90 minutes and had a game-winning ASSIST in in AZ Alkmaar’s 2-1 win vs. Vitesse Arnhem on Sunday.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIwwlGGzXcA?feature=player_detailpage]

PORTUGAL

  • Tony Taylor did not dress in G.D. Estoril Praia’s 2-1 loss vs. FC Porto on Sunday.
  • Caleb Patterson-Sewell dressed but did not play in Vitoria Setubal FC’s 2-1 loss vs. Guimaraes on Friday.

BELGIUM

  • Sacha Kljestan dressed but did not play in RSC Anderlecht’s 2-0 loss vs. Royal Charleroi SC on Saturday.

RUSSIA

  • Eugene Starikov did not dress in FC Rostov’s 1-0 loss vs. Kuban Krasnodar on Friday.

AUSTRIA

  • Terrence Boyd started, played 90 minutes, received a yellow card and scored a GOAL in Rapid Vienna’s 2-0 win vs. SV Salzburg on Sunday.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ5FZHysyVA?feature=player_detailpage]

DENMARK

  • Michael Parkhurst did not dress in FC Nordsjaelland’s 1-0 win vs. Aalborg BK on Friday.
  • Clarence Goodson started, played 90 minutes and received a yellow card in Brondby IF’s 1-1 draw vs. FC Midtjylland on Sunday.
  • Conor O’Brien started and played 90 minutes in SonderjyskE’s 2-1 win vs. Esbjerg on Sunday.
  • Charlie Davies dressed but did not play in Randers FC’s 2-1 win vs. Silkeborg IF on Saturday.

SWEDEN

  • Alejandro Bedoya started and played 78 minutes in Helsingborgs IF’s 3-1 win vs. GAIS on Sunday.
  • Brian Span did not dress in Djurgardens IF’s 3-1 loss vs. Malmo FF on Friday.

NORWAY

  • Josh Gatt did not dress in Molde FK’s 2-0 win vs. Rosenborg BK on Sunday. He was serving a one-game suspension due to yellow card accumulation.
  • Steve Clark started and played 90 minutes in Honefoss BK’s 4-0 loss vs. Odd Grenland on Sunday.
  • Mix Diskerud started and played 90 minutes in in Rosenborg BK’s 2-0 loss vs. Molde FK on Sunday.
  • Sean Cunningham did not dress in Stabaek IF’s 1-0 loss vs. Viking on Sunday. He is recovering from a hip injury.
  • Chad Barrett dressed but did not play in Valerenga’s 1-0 win vs. Tromso on Sunday.

MEXICO

  • Jose Torres started, played 90 minutes, received a yellow card and delivered the game-winning ASSIST in Pachuca’s 1-0 win vs. Tigres UANL on Saturday.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2U26zB_wU0?feature=player_detailpage]


  • Herculez Gomez came off the bench, played 16 minutes and scored a GOAL in Santos Laguna’s 3-2 loss vs. Monterrey on Saturday.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na5-O3ug-YI?feature=player_detailpage]


  • Hector Joya did not dress for Santos Laguna.
  • DaMarcus Beasley started and played 90 minutes in Puebla’s 2-1 loss vs. Atlante on Sunday.
  • Jonathan Bornstein did not dress in Tigres UANL’s 1-0 loss vs. Pachuca on Saturday.
  • Michael Orozco Fiscal did not dress in San Luis’ 0-0 draw vs. Queretaro on Saturday.
  • Edgar Castillo started and played 80 minutes in Club Tijuana’s 1-1 draw vs. Morelia on Saturday.
  • Joe Corona came off the bench and played 27 minutes for Club Tijuana.
  • Greg Garza came off the bench and played 45 minutes for Club Tijuana.
  • Ventura Alvarado did not dress in Club America’s 1-0 win vs. Pumas UNAM on Sunday.

——-

What do you think of these performances? Impressed by the U.S. Men’s National Team forwards’ collective effort? Which goal (or assist) did you like the most? Which other development from the weekend are you most pleased by?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. love this column, but again, I respectfully request that positions be added in player recap. a lot of new players and a lot of known players often playing in positions they do not line up in for USMNT.

    thanks!

    Reply
  2. so much going on with the Boyd clip. the dude with the sunglasses. the Flock of Seagulls hair. the austrian version of RBNY. and of course Boyd’s awesome header. all packed into a neat little clip.

    Reply
  3. Ives
    Wondering if there is a good way to do a similar recap of MLS players that are currently in the USMNT player pool? I think many readers would be interested in that.

    Reply
  4. Guzan seems to be playing so well, I am going to be heretical and suggest that he may be Howard’s equal or will be soon. Nice to have that insurance for the national team.

    Reply
    • I agree. Howard has more outright athleticism but he has bad concentration and lets in some really soft shots. Guzan is much more consistent and is plenty athletic. The PK edge is just a bonus.

      Reply
    • Thanks for the link. Beautiful pass from Jose Torres for the winning goal. Too early to retire a guy with so much skill like Torres from the USMNT. I am not saying he is a sure deal, but I am still hoping he can improve his attacking prowess as Klinsmann is demanding and win a spot on the team.

      Reply
  5. Did Friedel beat out Lloris officially? I know they’ve been off and on for the last several weeks.

    Odd to see that Cherundolo and Bradley didn’t play. Any news there beyond Bradley being injured previously?

    Reply
    • Lloris started his first PL match 3weeks ago so that he would have 2 straight games in a row before he played for France in WC qualifying. Lame excuse to break Friedel”s record. Especially as Friedel played the very next 2 PL games.

      Its weird at Spurs

      Reply
    • No news about MB, and he’s started since coming back, so my guess is squad rotation.

      Friedel was #1 already. Lloris had been promised ‘a’ start in the EPL before December. He got ‘one.’

      My guess has always been Lloris was bought in for next season. It’s neat and tidy, there are enough Cup fixtures for him to get comfortable in England this year without disrupting the team, and next season he’s the #1 and Friedel is thanked for his services (if he hadn’t already indicated in private it was his last season).

      Reply
  6. Brian Span? lol i thought he was a random guy that showed up in my Career Mode in Fifa so i bought him hahaha. I didn’t know he was a real player. Nice

    Reply
  7. Am I the only one who still can’t believe Fulham let Clint Dempsey go for just 6M Pounds? Was it because he is American or is there more too it than this?

    Reply
    • 29 and in the last year of his contract might have something to do with it. Not to mention he limited the clubs he would accept as well as a public falling out with the manager.

      Reply
    • Since this is a soccer forum, I assume this isn’t the Jim Rome I’m thinking of. Eric pretty much covered it – Dempsey is twenty-nine, had an expiring contract, and had a falling out with his club. Fulham was fortunate to get what they did, in my opinion.

      Reply
    • As i recall he only cost 1 million pounds for Fulham initially and he had to prove himself almost every year. The year he scored 13 he started on the bench because Mark Hughes wasn’t convinced of his value, I guess. People seem to have a habit o0f underestimating him.

      Reply
    • Four reasons… 1. Daniele De Rossi. No explanation needed. 2. Miralem Pjanic. Very technical player who is younger and better than Bradley. 3. Panagiotis Tachtsidis. Only 21 years old, excellent player with more upside than Bradley. Erik Lamela. Only 20 years old, huge prospect who has already been called up to the Argentinian National Team.

      Unfortunately for Bradley, he will also be competing with Marquinho and Florenzi for minutes this year. Roma is stacked at the Central Midield position but could definitely use some better defenders. Im sure Bradley will still get some minutes but its too bad for him that Roma just missed out on playing in the Europa League this season.

      Reply
      • He was starting prior to an injury. I doubt all four of those guys have definitively more upside than MB. Also upside doesn’t win games but maybe I missed some context. MB90 will be back starting soon enough.

      • It’s hardly like Bradley is over the hill. He’s only 24 but has already played in Holland, Germany, and at Chievo (Aston Villa really didn’t count) so he has a lot of experience. How much more upside does one want?

      • I would say all four have more upside than Bradley. De Rossi and Pjanic (who is only 22) are better players than Bradley. Tachtsidis and Lamela may not be quiet as good yet but are 21 and 20 respectively and still bring a lot of quality. Bradley is 25 (not 24) which is far from old but is much closer to his ceiling than either of those two players.

        I am simply making the point that Bradley will be fighting for minutes (which im sure he will get some) with 7 other strong central midfield options for Roma and no European competion for them this year. I also believe that Bradley has some excellent qualities but has been overated on here by SBI posters pretty frequently.

      • Agree, Evan W, that there are some SBI posters who tend to exaggerate MB’s skills to the extreme, as if he is the next Xavi. That said, MB is a quality player and we are lucky to have him on the USMNT. I didn’t realize Roma had so much young talent in the midfield, and, yes, 20-year-olds already at such high levels probably would usually have more upside than a 25-year-old like MB. That said, MB’s improvement this past year in Italy has been startling. After the Aston Villa debacle I had doubts that he would be wanted by even a mid-level team in a top league and a year later he has improved enough to get a dream transfer to a top team. If he can continue improving the next year at that same rate he did last year, he probably will be able to lock down a starting spot at Roma.

      • Biff,

        Agreed that MB has improved a lot in the past year. It sounds like Pjanic is a hot commodity in Europe and Tottenham want to sign him to replace Modric in the Janurary transfer window. That can only help Bradley’s chances of getting more playing time. For the most part Roma only have 1 game a week which means more competition for minutes. It will be an interesting season for Bradley.

      • But I will say, Evan W, the thing that I still find extremely irritating is the Teddy Bear treatment MB receives from the media talking heads, while the performances of all other USMNT players are analyzed under the microscope. Like MB’s tantrum in Antigua after being tackled that could have led to him being red carded, or his bad pass in Kansas City that set up Guatemala’s goal. No media talking heads even mentioned those incidents in their game reports and, of course, no posters on the message boards had the guts to mention it for fear of being attacked. If Jermaine Jones or Maurice Edu (or, actually, any other USMNT player) had done those things that MB did, it would have been duly noted in sports reports and the fans would have had knives out on the boards. Strange, verging on dysfunctional.

        I wish MB and his performances would be held to the same high standards by media and fans as those of all other USMNT players. Totally unfair, this double standard, and I would not be surprised if the cuddly treatment MB gets is embarrassing to him. He is a big tough guy and I am sure he can take it, just like his teammates have to live with it.

      • No Biff, what you’re basically saying is you wish other people saw his performances the same way you did. You might want to consider that rather there being some full-fledged conspiracy to “protect” Bradley that maybe, just maybe, YOU are the one not viewing his performances properly.

        The whole Antigua incident was a non-incident. He had words with a player. He wasn’t happy. Since when is that a crime? Some people chose to overreact to that incident. You’re not getting a red card for yelling at someone.

        As for the pass in the Guatemala game, it indirectly led to that goal, but to blame him for the goal is a stretch. The fact you point to that play and to the Antigua shouting match seems to suggest a pattern on your part.

        When Bradley actually has a bad match it will be noted, but the general consensus is that he hasn’t had a bad match in some time. He’s one of the team’s best and most consistent player. You don’t seem to think so. You’re entitled to your opinion, but it does sound a little crazy to say “Not many people agree with me so they clearly are all wrong I’m right.”

      • Biff,

        I have to agree with you on that. I read many reviews of the game and player ratings afterward and the only slightly negative thing I saw about Bradley was written by Ives that “Bradley didn’t start the game well” I felt even that left out a pretty huge mistake by Bradley. I usually agree with Ives and his views but to say most of the blame of that Guatemalan goal does not fall on Bradley, in my opinion is way off. You can watch a JV high school game and not see a pass as poor as that one was (and this one led to a goal against a mediocre team from Concacaf). Not only that, but the entire team was caught out of position. His play was not nearly strong enough that game to let that mistake go completely under the radar. If that were anyone else, I do believe it would have been strongly noted.

        Ives,

        I’m not sure where Biff said “Not many people agree with me so they clearly are all wrong I’m right.” Where are you getting that from what he said? I happen to have the same opinion as Biff but recognize and respect the fact that many others do not.

      • I remember an awful lot of posters who said Bradley got playing time with the national team only because his father was manager. I don’t think he has been treated with kid gloves. If anything, he has been more under the microscope than most players.

      • Evan W.

        biff has had a long standing dislike of all things Bradley coupled with a very twisted conspiratorial view of what he views as the inner workings of the Bradley’s (Bob and Mikey) relationship with the USMNT community.

        If you have read his posts you will find he claims inner knowledge of all sorts of things about how the player’s feel and think.

        It can be amusingin a sick sort of way on first read but has gotten very old after repeated readings, the way unsubstantiated gossip will.

        Bradley has by all accounts done well at Roma. There is excellent competition for PT there but there always is and there always will be. At this point it seems he is playing more than he sits.

        And mind you I view MB as a serviceable midfielder for the US nothing more but then the US has a very thin talent pool.

        Hopefully, Roma gives him a chance to improve his game.

      • I tend to agree with you biff. MB’s play has been really average (compared to his pre-injury form) during the qualifying semi’s. I don’t know, maybe the time off has affected his timing, confidence, stamina. Whatever it is, he’s been ok and has made a few costly and potentially game changing errors in judgement. That said, we’re a much better team with him. He just seems to be off a bit, and maybe its frustrated him. He’s also not seeing much of the field at Roma. And, that tantrum could have led to a red card Ives, C’mon man. He had to be held back by several players and was still heated, over a so-so tackle minutes later. He was looking to go after the guy and luckily the other dude kept his mouth shut.

      • First off, it’s biff, not Biff. Just joking.

        As for MB the player, as I said above, I think during the past year he has grown to be one of our best midfielders. I have no doubt that Roma studied his progress closely at Chievo and would not have acquired him unless they thought he had become skilled enough to succeed in Rome. MB was on my proposed starting line-ups for both Antigua and Guatemala. I thought his performance against Guatemala, minus the early screw-up, was good and I think he will be an asset next year in the Hex.

        I was only trying to make two points in comments. 1) I think some media commentators/fans sometimes get carried away and exaggerate MB’s playing level to a higher level than it is. 2) I think MB is treated differently than any other players in the USMNT pool, specifically that it is verboten to criticize him and that his performances (player ratings) are usually inflated with the mistakes ignored.

        And just one more thing: I was not in my previous comments referring to a specific media commentator, but was speaking in general terms. I love this web site and I think it is totally cool that one of the major voices in American soccer coverage gets down in the virtual trenches with the rest of us grunts and engages in spirited discussions about the game that we all love.

      • Hey biff, it’s all good. I know you’re a regular and respect your opinion. I also didn’t take your comments to be referring to me specifically. I just don’t see how Bradley is treated, in general, better than he deserves by the media. Maybe I don’t read as much USMNT coverage as I should, and I usually attend games rather than watch them on TV, but I haven’t gotten that sense based on what I’ve seen. I also can’t think of terrible games or really bad mistakes he’s made that he’s gotten passes on. You mention the turnover before the Guatemala goal. It indirectly led to the Guatemala goal, but other breakdowns led to the goal. Can’t think of many who could honestly pin that goal being on him without really stretching it.

        Looking back at Bradley over the last few years, it’s tough to think of any games were you could blame a loss on him, or call him one of the worst players for the USMNT. He has regularly been among the best, and has been praised accordingly. Has he had some games that were better than others? Sure. Does he commit turnovers? Sure. Has he avoided harsh criticism that he deserved? I just can’t say that I’ve seen that.

        Thanks for the kind words, and I’m glad you see my involvement in these discussions for what it is, a chance for all of us to exchange ideas, and debate and argue in a civil way. There isn’t enough civil discourse anymore in this country.

      • “biff says:
        I was only trying to make two points in comments. 1) I think some media commentators/fans sometimes get carried away and exaggerate MB’s playing level to a higher level than it is. 2) I think MB is treated differently than any other players in the USMNT pool, specifically that it is verboten to criticize him and that his performances (player ratings) are usually inflated with the mistakes ignored.”

        Considering that when anyone criticizes Clint’s performances for Spurs in any way you label them a Fulham troll, that sort of comment from you is a little bit of the kettle calling the pot black.

      • Isn’t it funny how as soon as Michael Bradley doesn’t start for a game or two, all the haters come out to play. He’s played fine for Roma so far and his performances are likely to improve. He has also been injured and traveling/away for awhile on international duty.

      • it is fascinating to see them all come out to play. MB’s been getting it done for years. funniest thing with the MB bashers was the claim that all we needed to see was others in the center mid roles and we’d all see what a handcuff MB has been. that sure wasn’t accurate

      • Sounds like bit of a stretch to call anyone a hater from what has been said. But hey, keep wearing those rose colored glasses if you think MB doesn’t make any mistakes.

      • Evan,

        He’d been starting regularly before the injury, and has started since. Probably squad rotation. They didn’t buy him to put him on the bench.

      • Shawn,

        Try reading what I wrote again.

        “I am simply making the point that Bradley will be fighting for minutes (which im sure he will get some) with 7 other strong central midfield options for Roma and with no European competion for them this year.”

      • The bottom line is ASRoma lost without Mike B in the line-up. Regardless of how much other talent they have it’s about winning and I think we will see Mikey back in the starting 11 soon

      • LOL. Thats what I was thinking. Oh and in no way is Tachtsidis better than Michael Bradley. Not only that those four players were quite poor for most of the game. I rate MB higher than Pjanic and Tachtsidis.

      • Hogatroge and 2tone,

        Did either of you even watch the game? The first goal was from a set piece. The second was poor defending by Roma with some good combination play from Udinese. The third goal allowed was from a PK. If you haven’t noticed, Roma’s defense has not been too good this year.

        Its even more obvious you didn’t watch the game by calling Lamela poor. He scored both of Roma’s goal and looked threatening the entire game.

  8. Remember when people said leaving Fulham for a bigger club with more competition was a bad move and Clint should stay where it’s comfortable?

    That was funny.

    Reply
    • I was one of those people, and I still think it was the wrong choice. I’m biased as a Fulham fan, but I hardly think that scoring a goal against Southampton in October is convincing evidence that he made the right move. He’s not playing in the Champions League like he wants to be, he won’t score nearly as many goals with Spurs as he did with Fulham, and now that he’s with a “bigger” club he’s just another player on their team, rather than the star at a “smaller” club. If he’s happy (and that’s really all that matters), then vaya con Dios. For me it was the wrong move, but different people have different priorities.

      Reply
      • But, Michael Stypulkoski, it might be the wrong choice for you and Martin Jol, but not for Clint Dempsey. Don’t you think Dempsey has the right to make the To-Move-Or-Not-To-Move decision for himself and his family, rather than to cave into the bullying tactics of Martin Jol to try to force Clint to sign a contract extension he did not want. Other coaches allow players to go without trying to ruin their reputations, simply accept it is part of the game of soccer and are happy for the transfer fees. Fulham came out a big loser in the Clint Dempsey saga and it appears more players are heading for the exit.

        As for Clint, in addition to now playing for a much better team, he also got a big fat raise to $7m a year more than doubling his salary, which he deserves. Is there anyone on this board who would turn down a job offer that would double their salary? I mean honestly. How is that a wrong choice?

      • Maybe scoring against Southampton in October is not convincing evidence he made the right move, but scoring the winning goal against ManU and having your team in the top 4 could be. Just sayin.

    • +1, Old School. The goal yesterday from Clint was excellent, classic Deuce hustle and intuition. And it seems that AVB finally has learned from his mistakes of pulling Clint from games at about the 70-minute mark and this time left him in for the full 90 minutes.

      Reply
      • “The goal yesterday from Clint was excellent, classic Deuce hustle and intuition.”

        It was a good goal but if anyone else, especially Jozy, had scored it most people here would call it a mere tap in.

  9. Bob Costas just announced that NBC Sports has won the rights to the EPL starting next year. There isn’t going to be a lot of soccer on Fox Soccer the way things are going…

    Reply
    • Joe Gyau looked good Sunday and has a shot at starting when St. Pauli plays at Stuttgart Wednesday in a DFB Pokal game. (3 p.m. ET) I like this kid a lot. He has a field presence way beyond his 20 years and it appears to me his touch and other skills rank up with Fabian Johnson, Jose Torres, and Edgar Castillo. If Gyau can start playing regularly for St. Pauli and keeps working hard we could see rapid improvement this season.

      Reply
      • For sure. Im not sure if his loan is for one yr or 2, but as a st. pauli fan, im hoping he can become a key compenent in revitalizing the team and salvaging the season for us.

        As you mentioned, he has a terrific skill set, unmatched by any other winger on the team and also confident and calm on the ball, which says alot at being only 20. If the opportunites continue to come, there’s no reason for him not to have a great yr.

      • If Gyau or Gatt (or even Shea or Agudelo for that matter) ever got their stuff together we could leave Landon and Dempsey up top and run more of a technical but still fast offense, which IMO is an American strong point, when we can combine the athleticism with soccer skill.

      • Im not convinced the us national team can depend on landon donovan to that extent anymore, at least at this point in time. with all his motivational troubles, injuries and such. The flank has always been his best position and he and zusi, if available, make a great rotational pairing on the right.

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