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Americans Abroad: Weekend Rewind

JozyAltidoreAZ (Reuters)

By FRANCO PANIZO

Another week, another goal for Jozy Altidore.

Altidore upped his season total to 25 goals across all competitions on Sunday, netting AZ Alkmaar’s second in a 3-2 defeat to Ajax. The in-form U.S. Men’s National team forward scored in the second half when he raced to a ball played over the top before sliding a shot to the far post.

Altidore was not the only player to find the back of the net. Andrew Wooten scored for SV Sandhausen in a 2-2 draw with VfR Aalen on Sunday. The goal was Wooten’s fifth of the campaign.

More good news came on Sunday, as Clint Dempsey made his return from injury in Tottenham’s 1-0 defeat to Fulham. Dempsey came off the bench and played 45 minutes against his former club, which should ease U.S. fans worries about his availability for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Here’s how the Americans Abroad performed this weekend:

ENGLAND

Premiership

  • Geoff Cameron started and played 90 minutes in Stoke City’s 0-0 draw vs. West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
  • Brek Shea did not dress for Stoke City.
  • Sebastian Lletget did not dress in West Ham United’s 2-0 loss vs. Chelsea on Sunday.
  • Clint Dempsey came off the bench and played 45 minutes in Tottenham’s 1-0 loss vs. Fulham on Sunday.
  • Brad Friedel dressed but did not play for Tottenham.
  • Tim Howard did not dress in Everton’s 2-0 win vs. Manchester City on Saturday. He is recovering from a back injury.
  • Brad Guzan started, played 90 minutes and made five saves in Aston Villa’s 3-2 win vs. Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.
  • Eric Lichaj did not dress for Aston Villa.

Championship

  • Jonathan Spector started and played four minutes in Birmingham City’s 1-0 win vs. Middlesbrough on Saturday.
  • Will Packwood did not dress for Birmingham City. He is recovering from a leg injury.
  • Conor Doyle dressed but did not played in Derby County’s 2-1 win vs. Leicester City on Saturday.
  • Stuart Holden dressed but did not play in Bolton Wanderers’ 1-0 loss vs. Ipswich Town on Saturday.
  • Tim Ream did not dress for Bolton Wanderers.
  • Zak Whitbread dressed but did not play in Leceister City’s 2-1 loss vs. Derby County on Saturday.

League One

  • Frank Simek started and played 90 minutes in Carlisle United’s 4-1 loss vs. Leyton Orient on Saturday.
  • Mike Grella dressed but did not play in Scunthorpe United’s 1-0 loss vs. Notts County on Saturday.

SPAIN

La Liga

  • Oguchi Onyewu dressed but did not play in Malaga CF’s 2-0 loss vs. Espanyol on Sunday.

Segunda Division

  • Carlos Bocanega dressed but did not play in Racing Santander’s 1-1 draw vs. Xerez on Sunday.

ITALY

  • Michael Bradley came off the bench and played 22 minutes in AS Roma’s 2-0 win vs. Parma on Sunday.

GERMANY

Bundesliga

  • Danny Williams started and played 90 minutes in TSG 1899 Hoffenheim’s 0-0 draw vs. Mainz on Saturday.
  • Fabian Johnson did not dress for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. He is recovering from a hip injury.
  • Timmy Chandler started and played 84 minutes in FC Nurnberg’s 3-0 win vs. Schalke 04 on Saturday.
  • Michael Parkhurst did not dress in FC Augsburg’s 1-0 win vs. Hamburg SV on Saturday.
  • Jermaine Jones started and played 90 minutes in Schalke 04’s 3-0 loss vs. FC Nurnberg on Saturday.
  • David Yelldell did not dress in Bayer Leverkusen’s 2-1 loss vs. Bayern Munich on Saturday.
  • Steve Cherundolo did not dress in Hannover 96’s 1-0 loss vs. Borussia Moenchengladbach on Sunday. He is recovering from a knee injury.

2. Bundesliga

  • Joe Gyau dressed but did not play in St Pauli’s 4-2 loss vs. FC Union Berlin on Friday.
  • Alfredo Morales started, played 90 minutes and received a yellow cardin Hertha Berlin’s 0-0 draw vs. TSV 1860 Munich on Saturday.
  • John Anthony Brooks did not dress for Hertha Berlin.
  • Andrew Wooten started, played 90 minutes and scored a GOAL in SV Sandhausen’s 2-2 draw vs. VfR Aalen on Sunday.
  • Bobby Wood dressed but did not play in TSV 1860 Munich’s 0-0 draw vs. Hertha Berlin on Saturday.

NETHERLANDS

  • Jozy Altidore started, played 90 minutes and scored a GOAL in AZ Alkmaar’s 3-2 loss vs. Ajax on Sunday.


PORTUGAL

  • Tony Taylor came off the bench and played 14 minutes in G.D. Estoril Praia’s 2-0 loss vs. FC Porto on Friday.
  • Caleb Patterson-Sewell dressed but did not play in Vitoria Setubal’s 2-1 loss vs. Sporting CP on Saturday.

RUSSIA

  • Eugen Starikov did not dress in FK Rostov’s 2-1 loss vs. Volga Nizhny Novgorod on Saturday.

TURKEY

  • Maurice Edu started and played 90 minutes in Bursaspor’s 3-2 win vs. Trabzonspor on Friday.

BELGIUM

  • Sacha Kljestan started, played 90 minutes and received a yellow card in RSC Anderlecht’s 1-1 draw vs. KAA Gent on Saturday.

DENMARK

  • Clarence Goodson started, played 90 minutes and received a yellow card in Brondby IF’s 1-1 draw vs. FC Midtjylland on Sunday.
  • Charlie Davies came off the bench and played one minute in Randers FC’s 1-0 win vs. Silkeborg on Sunday.
  • Conor O’Brien and FC Nordsjaelland’s match vs. Aalborg BK on Saturday was abandoned in the first half because of inclement weather.

AUSTRIA

  • Terrence Boyd started, played 90 minutes and received a yellow card in Rapid Vienna’s 1-1 draw vs. FC Trenkwalder Admira on Saturday.

NORWAY

  • Josh Gatt started and played 90 minutes in Molde FK’s 2-1 loss vs. Viking on Friday.
  • Mix Diskerud started and played 90 minutes in Rosenborg BK’s 1-0 win vs. Odd on Sunday.
  • Steve Clark started and played 90 minutes in Honefoss BK’s 3-2 loss vs. IK Start on Sunday.  

MEXICO

  • Herculez Gomez started, played 90 minutes and received a yellow card in Santos Laguna’s 2-1 win vs. Atlas on Saturday.
  • Benji Joya did not dress for Santos Laguna.
  • DaMarcus Beasley started, played 90 minutes and received a yellow card in Puebla’s 2-1 loss vs. Pachuca on Saturday.
  • Michael Orozco Fiscal started and played 90 minutes.
  • Greg Garza started and played 71 minutes in Club Tijuana’s 2-2 draw vs. Monterrey on Saturday.
  • Joe Corona came off the bench and played 19 minutes for Club Tijuana.
  • Edgar Castillo did not dress for Club Tijuana. He is recovering from a facial injury.
  • Jose Torres started and played 82 minutes in Tigres UANL’s 1-1 draw vs. Chivas de Guadalajara on Saturday.
  • Jonathan Bornstein dressed but did not play for Tigres UANL.
  • Ventura Alvarado dressed but did not play in Club America’s 1-1 draw vs. San Luis on Saturday.

—–

What do you think of these performances? Think Altidore is ready to go on a tear for the U.S. team? How good is it to see Dempsey back in action?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. With Stuart Holden being out for so long and Tim Ream buried into oblivion at Bolton. I doubt if we’ll ever see either of them on the Nat Team horizon again. A shame, really.

    Reply
  2. I’ve asked this before, but has there been a time in the last 10 years where we have looked weaker? We will have no Donovan, no Howard, Dempsey short on fitness, apparently no Fabian Johnson or Castillo, CB tandem in shambles, anemic offense… ect ect

    Reply
  3. Can’t remember a time that Americans as a collective were off form this much. Donovan not playing. Dempsey coming off of injury and having no positive impact (albeit in a short stint for Tottenham). Others getting no minutes or suffering from injury. Combine it with MLS just getting started and it’s a tough time to be putting together a roster.

    At least Herc and Jozy are on form and scoring.

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  4. Honestly so many people mock the individuals that have said Jozy was lazy but facts are facts. Being benched by EVERY coach due to not trying hard enough is something you fools need to get your mind wrapped around….. Recently he has changed that attitude and killed it which is awesome but please realize he was not like that from that start but has matured into it. To think otherwise would be an ignorant US soccer fan putting his heart before his mind. AO for life.

    Reply
    • Who is the fool here? The “Lazy Out-the-door” crowd generally (perhaps not you, but predominantly) were NOT tough love encouraging types, but the sort to say that it was time to get rid of him permanently because he was never going to work out (hence the “Out-the-door” part of the “critique”). Then the dull debate began, with more reasonable supporters saying he was still very young and developing and more talented than any other striker we had in the pool, and the “haters” telling them they were fools who didn’t understand what they themselves saw so clearly — Jozy was a failure and it was time to move on.

      Jozy is still not close to a world class striker, but he’s a pretty darned good one with time to get a lot better. It seems that time has demonstrated amply which side of the debate was the correct one. So, I would be careful about telling the ones who correctly projected Jozy’s development curve the “fools.”

      Reply
      • “Jozy is still not close to a world class striker, but he’s a pretty darned good one with time to get a lot better.”

        Just thinking out loud, not discrediting your opinion, but I think Jozy is getting fairly close to being one.

        I’m not sure what criteria most people attribute to a world class striker, perhaps doing it in a top league, but Jozy is well on his way and I think the “not close” distinction isn’t really accurate.

        This coming from someone that’s been labeled a “Jozy hater” for more than I’d like to even acknowledge.

        It’d be nice if this recent revelation of form could translate to the Nats but he’d have some company in a few elite/world class players around the World tend to disappear for their national team too…for whatever reason.

      • I think it’s subjective but I tend to agree with this general assessment.

        For instance, there’s no question in most people’s mind that Neymar is world class. However, he’s yet to prove it in a top league (excluding national team level which he’s been amazing, too).

        I imagine he could get that opportunity soon, at the rate Jozy is going. Though, I think the statement “still not close” isn’t accurate.

  5. I think Wooten is the one to watch out for, he plays as a winger for Sandhausen, the team seems to be getting better every week. Still possible to not get relegated this season, and I think Wooten steps up for Kaiserlautern next season possibly in the Bundesliga.

    Reply
  6. Good to see Morales finally getting some time at Hertha (yes I know he went 90 the other week, too). Kid was one of the few bright spots for the US in January, even if his through balls had a little too much oomph. He was also a beast against Mexico’s U23s a year ago.

    I’m a little worried about the LB situation, especially having to play away at Mexico. Castillo was definitely a factor in the last result at Azteca, so I’d hope he’s game to play. If anything, the facemask should make sure he gets some calls he might otherwise not.

    That said, having an in-form Jozy and Herc certainly can’t hurt, and even though Brek didn’t dress, he’s definitely worth an appearance or two as a super sub.

    Reply
    • +1 on Morales. I have really liked him at holding mid when he has played. I was not so much of a fan of him at right back. I think he could be a great holding mid for us in the future as he is defensive minded but has the touch and passing ability that our current “destroyers” lack. He is not ready yet, but I have certainly liked what I have seen from him with the US thus far.

      Reply
    • No. If anything it’s a bad sign considering he has played about five minute each game for the past three months. He hasn’t gotten a start in ages.

      Reply
      • I posted this already below but thought it belonged on this thread…….Honestly so many people mock the individuals that have said Jozy was lazy but facts are facts. Being benched by EVERY coach due to not trying hard enough is something you fools need to get your mind wrapped around….. Recently he has changed that attitude and killed it which is awesome but please realize he was not like that from that start but has matured into it. To think otherwise would be an ignorant US soccer fan putting his heart before his mind. AO for life

      • Yeah, and I mean, it’s entirely possible that Jozy is lazy at times but still very good overall. He can simultaneously be a talented and important goalscorer while also needing to work harder here and there. Not everything is black and white…

      • Did Jozy walk at times during today’s match? Yes, he did. So did every other player in the AZ-Ajax match. I’ll admit I only watched the second half of today’s Spurs-Everton match, but guess what? Every player in that match walked at times, too.

        Along the same lines, Arsene Wagner has benched Vermaelen and Szczesny, and Vermaelen is/was Arsenal’s captain. His reason? They need to prove that they deserve to be in the starting XI, IE work harder. SAF has benched Rooney for his lack of effort and/or fitness at various times.

        Calling out Jozy now, for what are perceived to be past sins is, at best, unfair, and at worse, strike me as being a way to express dislike for a player that some posters are unwilling to state as such.

  7. Why isn’t Holden getting any minutes? Has anyone heard if his speed is down or are there any other reasons he’s not getting time?

    Reply
    • Unfortunately, I think it’s a tough time in the season to give a guy minutes who has not played for the better part of two years.

      Reply
    • It could be the manager didn’t want to switch things up in the middle of what’s been a great run for Bolton. They’ve gone from relegation threatened to fighting for the playoffs over the past month.

      Or maybe he is just not fit and ready in Dougie Freeman’s eyes. One thing is for sure, given the lackluster play in the last game, there will be more calls to get him involved and it whether or not that happens will inform whether it’s a form issue or whether it’s reluctance to throw him right into the pressure cooker.

      Reply
  8. Goodson & Brondby have climbed to 10th spot and above the drop zone with their draw today. Now if they don’t go brankrupt they can stay up and very possibly play in Europa next Fall.

    Reply
  9. Not good that Fabian isn’t back. I’d say Spector will cover, but only playing 4 mins hints he came off injured. Let’s hope Castillo and Johnson make it. Otherwise we are getting down to our C defense team.

    Reply
  10. remember when folks were hailing Tim Ream as the next great american centerback? what the hell happened to that propsect?

    But about Jozy, what is it about AZ’s setup that is allowing him the kind of service that is generating this kind of goal production. questionable defense can only account for so much.

    Reply
    • “remember when folks were hailing Tim Ream as the next great american centerback? what the hell happened to that propsect?”

      Reality set in.

      This is something some of us acknowledged from the word go. He’s a good passer, though. I guess that doesn’t really equate to being a good defender. Shocking as that may be to some.

      Reply
    • Interesting thing is that he’s scoring a lot of goals without space or from outside the box… It’s hard to remember a game where the US were consistently creating chances and attacking for a full 90… they just play 3 D-mids and sit back hoping for a break from dempsey or whoever else in the final 15 mins of the game.Our D isnt good enough (yet) and i think Klins missed a huge opportunity when he could have played Dempsey-Altidore-Gomez up top

      Reply

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