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Americans Abroad: Weekend Rewind

TimHowardEFC (Getty)

By FRANCO PANIZO

There were not many goals or assists but as far as the injury front goes, this weekend could not have been much better for the Americans Abroad contingent.

Several Americans who were dealing with knocks in recent weeks returned to the field, including Tim Howard. The Everton goalkeeper jumped back into his side’s starting line-up for the first time in over a month on Saturday, making three saves en route to recording a cleansheet in a 1-0 win over Stoke City. The game was Howard’s first since breaking two bones in his back on Feb. 26.

Also in England, Stuart Holden made his first start since recovering from the major knee injury that cost him a year and a half. He started for Sheffield Wednesday in their 2-1 win vs. Barnsley, playing 61 minutes and drawing good reviews for his play in central midfield.

Fabian Johnson and Danny Williams also made their ways back from a hip injury and flu-like symptoms, respectively. Johnson and Williams both started for Hoffenheim on Saturday, with Johnson playing 74 minutes and Williams lasting through the 84th. Unfortunately for them, their returns came in a 3-0 loss to Schalke 04.

Fellow German-American Timmy Chandler was another player who was deemed healthy enough to see time for his club. Chandler, who missed the U.S. Men’s National Team’s recent qualifiers with a hamstring issue, started and went the distance in FC Nurnberg’s 2-2 draw with VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday while playing as a right-sided midfielder.

In Mexico, DaMarcus Beasley kept up his impressive recent form, coming off the bench and scoring a header goal for Puebla in a 2-1 loss to Mexican League leaders UANL Tigres. Fellow U.S. national teamer Jose Torres started for unbeaten Tigres.

Here’s how the Americans Abroad did this weekend:

ENGLAND

Premiership

  • Geoff Cameron started and played 79 minutes in Stoke City’s 1-0 loss vs. Everton on Saturday.
  • Brek Shea did not dress for Stoke City.
  • Sebastian Lletget did not dress in West Ham United’s 3-1 win vs. West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
  • Brad Friedel started, played 90 minutes and made two saves in Tottenham’s 2-1 win vs. Swansea City on Saturday.
  • Clint Dempsey did not dress for Tottenham. He is recovering from flu-like symptoms.
  • Tim Howard started, played 90 minutes and made three saves in Everton’s 1-0 win vs. Stoke City on Saturday.
  • Brad Guzan started, played 90 minutes and made five saves in Aston Villa’s 2-1 loss vs. Liverpool on Sunday.
  • Eric Lichaj dressed but did not play for Aston Villa.

Championship

  • Jonathan Spector did not dress in Birmingham City’s 4-0 win vs. Crystal Palace on Friday. He is recovering from an injury. Birmingham City play again on Monday vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers.
  • Will Packwood did not dress for Birmingham City. He is recovering from a leg injury. Birmingham City play again on Monday vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers.
  • Conor Doyle dressed but did not played in Derby County’s 3-0 win vs. Bristol City on Friday. Derby County play again on Monday vs. Leeds United.
  • Tim Ream did not dress in Bolton Wanderers’ 3-2 loss vs. Charlton Athletic on Saturday.
  • Stuart Holden started and played 61 minutes in Sheffield Wednesday’s 2-1 win vs. Barnsley on Saturday. Sheffield Wednesday play again on Monday vs. Bristol City.
  • Zak Whitbread dressed but did not play in Leceister City’s 1-0 loss vs. Millwall on Friday. Leicester City play again on Monday vs. Barnsley.

League One

  • Frank Simek started and played 90 minutes in Carlisle United’s 2-2 draw vs. Shrewsbury Town on Friday. Carlisle United play again on Monday vs. Sheffield United.
  • Mike Grella dressed but did not play in Scunthorpe United’s 2-1 win vs. Leyton Orient on Friday. Scunthorpe United play again on Monday vs. AFC Bournemouth.

SPAIN

La Liga

  • Oguchi Onyewu dressed but did not play in Malaga CF’s 3-1 win vs. Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.

Segunda Division

  • Carlos Bocanega started, played 90 minutes and received a yellow card in Racing Santander’s 0-0 draw vs. Elche on Sunday.

ITALY

  • Michael Bradley dressed but did not play in AS Roma’s 2-0 loss vs. Palermo on Saturday.

GERMANY

Bundesliga

  • Danny Williams started and played 83 minutes in TSG 1899 Hoffenheim’s 3-0 loss vs. Schalke 04 on Saturday.
  • Fabian Johnson started and played 74 minutes for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.
  • Timmy Chandler started and played 90 minutes in FC Nurnberg’s 2-2 draw vs. VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday.
  • Michael Parkhurst did not dress in FC Augsburg’s 2-0 loss vs. Hannover 96 on Saturday.
  • Jermaine Jones did not dress in Schalke 04’s 3-0 win vs. TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on Saturday. He is recovering from an ankle injury.
  • David Yelldell dressed but did not play in Bayer Leverkusen’s 4-1 win vs. Fortuna Dusseldorf on Saturday.
  • Steve Cherundolo dressed but did not play in Hannover 96’s 2-0 win vs. FC Augsburg on Saturday.

2. Bundesliga

  • Joe Gyau and St Pauli play SC Paderborn 07 on Monday.
  • John Anthony Brooks started and played 90 minutes in Hertha Berlin’s 2-0 win vs. VfL Bochum on Saturday.
  • Alfredo Morales came off the bench and played 15 minutes for Hertha Berlin.
  • Andrew Wooten started and played 61 minutes in SV Sandhausen’s 1-1 draw vs. Kaiserslautern on Sunday.
  • Bobby Wood and TSV 1860 Munich did not play this weekend.

NETHERLANDS

  • Jozy Altidore started, played 90 minutes and received a yellow card in AZ Alkmaar’s 2-1 win vs. SC Heracles Almelo on Sunday.

PORTUGAL

  • Tony Taylor came off the bench, played 18 minutes and scored a GOAL in G.D. Estoril Praia’s 1-1 draw vs. Moreirense on Saturday.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPThtdk-wDE?feature=player_embedded]

  • Caleb Patterson-Sewell dressed but did not play in Vitoria Setubal’s 4-2 loss vs. Maritimo on Saturday.

RUSSIA

  • Eugen Starikov came off the bench and played nine minutes in FK Rostov’s 1-0 loss vs. Dinamo Moscow on Saturday.

TURKEY

  • Maurice Edu did not dress in Bursaspor’s 2-0 loss vs. Kasimpasa on Sunday.

BELGIUM

  • Sacha Kljestan and RSC Anderlecht play Genk in the Belgian playoffs on Monday.

DENMARK

  • Clarence Goodson did not dress in Brondby IF’s 1-0 win vs. Esbjerg on Friday. He is recovering from an injury. Brondby IF play again on Monday vs. AGF Aarhus.
  • Charlie Davies started and played 45 minutes in Randers FC’s 2-0 win vs. SonderjyskE on Sunday.
  • Conor O’Brien started and played 90 minutes in FC Nordsjaelland’s 4-2 win vs. AGF Aarhus on Friday. FC Nordsjaelland play again on Monday vs. FC Midtjylland.

AUSTRIA

  • Terrence Boyd started and played 90 minutes in Rapid Vienna’s 3-2 loss vs. SV Josko Ried on Saturday.

SWEDEN

  • Alejandro Bedoya started and played 82 minutes in Helsingborgs IF’s 3-0 win vs. Djurgardens IF on Sunday.
  • Brian Span came off the bench and played 35 minutes in Djurgardens IF’s 3-0 loss vs. Helsingborgs IF on Sunday.

NORWAY

  • Josh Gatt and Molde FK did not play this weekend.
  • Mix Diskerud and Rosenborg BK play Brann on Monday.
  • Steve Clark and Honefoss BK did not play this weekend. 

MEXICO

  • Herculez Gomez started and played 90 minutes in Santos Laguna’s 1-1 draw vs. Queretaro on Saturday.
  • Benji Joya did not dress for Santos Laguna.
  • DaMarcus Beasley came off the bench, played 45 minutes and scored a GOAL in Puebla’s 2-1 loss vs. Tigres UANL on Sunday.

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

  • Michael Orozco Fiscal started and played 90 minutes for Puebla.
  • Jose Torres started and played 68 minutes in Tigres UANL’s 2-1 win vs. Puebla on Sunday.
  • Jonathan Bornstein dressed but did not play for Tigres UANL.
  • Edgar Castillo started and played 90 minutes in Club Tijuana’s 1-0 loss vs. Toluca on Saturday.
  • Joe Corona started and played 63 minutes for Club Tijuana.
  • Greg Garza did not dress for Club Tijuana.
  • Ventura Alvarado did not dress in Club America’s 2-0 win Chivas de Guadalajara on Sunday.

—–

What do you think of these performances? Impressed with Howard being back so soon after breaking two bones in his back? Which of the German-Americans’ outings are you most pleased by?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. The good news for me is that JK has made playing time a prerequisite to call up. Even Bocanegra wasn’t spared on that principle. I’m encouraged that young players will no longer be spoiled by hopeful coaches who see talent, but not a proven record at the club level.

    I hope this principle survives JK’s term as coach because it bodes well for the future of the USMNT.

    Reply
    • Bradley hasn’t really started regularly since Zeman was fired. Since he has been the first sub most games around the 70 minute mark. When De Rossi is out for whatever reason Bradley has got the start however. Roma didn’t look great, especially in the midfield Saturday. I could see some changes being made that helps Bradley find more playing time soon.

      Reply
  2. Fricking trolls up above trying to compare the commitment of Timothy Chandler for the US shirt with Tim Howard, Fabian Johnson, and Edgar Castillo. Howard had broken bones in his back and missed several club games before the Costa Rica and Mexico World Cup qualifiers. F. Johnson missed several games with his club in a relegation battle with serious hip problems. Castillo had the fun of getting a shoulder slammed into his face and breaking several bones and also missed several club games. And let’s not forget Clint Dempsey who had been seriously injured and missed several club games, but was committed enough to the cause to fly over from Europe and bust his gut playing 90 minutes each game.

    Let’s get one thing straight, trolls. No conspiracy theories about Howard, Fabian, Castillo and Dempsey. They have all proved their commitment. The prima donna Timothy Chandler has for the past 20 months, during which he has made flimsy, silly excuses more than half a dozen times not fly over and join the team, has only proved one thing: That he does not have half the commitment and heart of those other guys to to wear the US shirt.

    Reply
    • The comments above were sarcasm. But I’m glad someone pointed out Chandler. I have trouble trusting his commitment at this point even if he deigned to let us cap tie him.

      I don’t keep great track of the Bundesliga. Did Chandler miss any time with his club before those qualifiers last week? If not he’s the only player in the pool I wouldn’t give the benefit of the doubt to.

      Reply
  3. Happy Easter to everyone…some celebrate the Jewish version, christian version, and orthodox (russian) version. Looking forward to summer when all players from all over Europe will be available, but should get a little time off considering the FIFA schedule and league play. If Hoffenheim get’s dropped to the 2 Bundesliga, I hope Johnson and Williams can get to other teams in the Bundesliga. I hope Gatt and any other player can move up to a higher competitive team or league. I would like Gatt to go to Holland.

    Reply
  4. I wonder how many players lost their starting spot on the roster after these two qualifying games against Costa Rica n Mexico. The summer will be HUGE for the USMNT Pool. I think the players who’s stock will drop the most is Danny Williams and Sacha.

    Reply
    • Chandler is the only one I can think of. Cameron has his spot and I’m sure we’ll stick with Gonzo and Besler.

      Beasley played well but Johnson is a better leftback. Luckily Beasley brought his A+ game, but we’ve seen him crash and burn at LB before.

      And Edu gave the ball away far too much in our half to usurp Jones.

      And Howard is still our starter. He just has a huge target on his back and a hungry Guzan gnawing at his heels. But Guzan has to stay in the PL if Villa go down. Arsenal may be interested..

      Reply
      • I’d like to see more of Besler and Gonzo paired in the center, with Cameron and FJ on the outside. As much as I like the guy, I think Cherundolo may end up being the odd man out come summer 2014. However it works out, there are lots of options for JK in the back with Cameron’s versatility.

        If Gonzo and Besler can build some chemistry in the center, and with Cameron’s emergence as a RB, it allows JK to use Chandler further up the pitch in the midfield.

        With Landon’s return to USMNT seeming like a foregone conclusion, I see the midfield getting shuffled a little in the near future. I think since Chandler is German (just kidding)… I see Chandler giving Zusi/Shea/Gomez some competition for a starting outside MF role opposite Donovan.

      • Goodson is our 100% certain starter at CB. Besler is developmental guy we can get some minutes in a pinch.

      • Goodson is 100% our starter in a blizzard, against CONCACAF competition, in Denver, on March 22nd, at night. Otherwise, he is one John Anthony Brooks Gold Cup away from not making the trip to Brazil…

    • nano,

      There is about a year and a couple of months left before JK has to come up with a 23 man roster for Brazil, if the US qualifies.

      Other than the usual suspects, Bradley, Dempsey and probably Gonzo, none of the guys who were at Azteca can be certain they will be on that final roster. And JK will be sure to keep everyone fighting for places until the last minute.
      .
      Even the three guys I named could get seriously injured at any time. There is a real long way to go yet.

      Reply
      • Guzan is as certain of being on the roster as the three you named, barring injury. It also would take a big change or injury for Altidore or Gomez to not be on the roster.

  5. Edgar castillo started and played for 90 minutes, sounds very suspicious to me. Maybe he doesn’t feel prideful enought to wear the red white and blue and prefers his club situation more than his country. Some of these gringos probably don’t feel prideful enough to care about the USMNT.

    Reply
    • Ya I was thinking this might be what happened with Holden and Onyewu. Onyewu’s parents are from Nigeria and Holden was born in Scotland. I bet both staged their injuries because they felt no connection to the USA. Doesn’t matter they grew up in America, they are probably traitors.

      *sarcasm*

      I hope you are satirizing those who have come forward with their conspirasies about the Germans-Americans.

      Reply
    • i imagine that at certain points of the season a week off is just what you need for a naging injury. vise versa traveling across the world with a naging injury in the stretch run of the season can’t be an easy call..

      as far as commitment; i would argue that Dempsey showed a lot of commitment playing (very well) when he was coming off an injury. but the other guys.. its hard to say but if they were not 100% ready to go then I am glad they stayed home. of course Fabian Johnson is a better LB than Beasley but I would take a 100% DMB over a 80% Johnson…

      i hope they all are ready to go in the summer. No excuses then!

      Reply
      • +1
        hahahahaha……dude you read my mind, especially since it lead to finally bring on DMB (from now on watch the Beasley Bandwagon!!!!! It was like before Costa Rica and Mexico he wasn’t even selected for a substitute, despite all his international experience).

    • Castillo was once called up by Mexico, But he “lost his passport” so he didn’t get called into their camp. Mexico will never call him again. He has stated that he wants to Wear the Red, White and Blue. So yeah Ridiculous comment. He had a Broken Face!

      Reply

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