Top Stories

Americans Abroad: Weekend Rewind

JoeCoronaClubTijuana1-CorinthiansCopaLibertadores2013 (ClubTijuana)

By FRANCO PANIZO

There was apparently no repellent strong enough to ward off the injury bug, which tried to go viral this weekend.

Several players in the Americans Abroad contingent were late scratches or removed from their respective games because of injury, including Timmy Chandler, Oguchi Onyewu, and Jermaine Jones. Chandler suffered a knock early in FC Nurnberg’s 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich that will sideline him for 8-10 weeks, while Onyewu and Jones were not able to suit up because of respective calf and groin injuries. Alejandro Bedoya (thigh) and Aron Johannsson (groin) were also not healthy enough to earn some minutes.

Another player who did not see time this weekend is Clint Dempsey, though it is unclear as to if his absence was injury related or not. Dempsey was not in uniform as relegation-threatened Fulham grabbed a 2-2 draw vs. struggling Manchester United on Sunday, marking the first league match he has missed for the Cottagers since making his return on Jan. 4.

There were some positive developments this weekend. Juan Agudelo went the distance for FC Utrecht again in a 5-2 loss to RKC Waalwijk, Joe Corona made his first appearance in three games by coming off the bench and playing 13 minutes in Club Tijuana’s 2-1 triumph over Monterrey, and Andrew Wooten made his FSV Frankfurt debut and scored the winner in a 2-1 win against VfL Bochum.

Here is how the Americans Abroad performed this weekend:

ENGLAND

Premiership

  • Tim Howard started, played 90 minutes and made on save in Everton’s 1-0 loss vs. Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
  • Clint Dempsey did not dress in Fulham’s 2-2 draw vs. Manchester United on Sunday.
  • Jozy Altidore started and played 90 minutes in Sunderland’s 2-0 loss vs. Hull City on Saturday.
  • Geoff Cameron started and played 90 minutes in Stoke City’s 2-2 draw vs. Southampton on Saturday.
  • Brad Guzan started and played 90 minutes in Aston Villa’s 2-0 loss vs. West Ham United on Saturday.
  • Brad Friedel dressed but did not play in Tottenham Hotspur’s 1-0 win vs. Everton on Sunday.
  • Cody Cropper did not dress in Southampton’s 2-2 draw vs. Stoke City on Saturday.
  • Sebastian Lletget did not dress in West Ham United’s 2-0 win vs. Aston Villa on Saturday.

Championship

  • Zak Whitbread and Derby County play Queens Park Rangers on Monday.
  • Danny Williams started and played 65 minutes in Reading’s 2-0 loss vs. Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
  • Will Packwood started and played 90 minutes in Birmingham City’s 2-0 win vs. Charlton Athletic on Saturday.
  • Jonathan Spector did not dress for Birmingham City. He is recovering from an injury.
  • Tim Ream started, played 90 minutes and received a yellow card in Bolton Wanderers’ 2-2 draw vs. AFC Bournemouth on Saturday.
  • Stuart Holden did not dress for Bolton Wanderers. He is recovering from a knee injury.
  • Eric Lichaj did not dress in Nottingham Forest’s 1-1 draw vs. Blackpool on Saturday. He is recovering from an injury.
  • Brek Shea started and played 45 minutes in Barnsley’s 2-2 draw vs. Ipswich Town on Saturday.
  • Oguchi Onyewu did not dress in Sheffield Wednesday’s 2-0 win vs. Reading on Saturday. He is recovering from a calf injury.
  • Duane Holmes did not dress in Huddersfield Town’s 1-0 win vs. Wigan Athletic on Saturday.
  • Gboly Ariyibi did not dress in Leeds United’s 2-1 win vs. Yeovil Town on Saturday.

GERMANY

Bundesliga

  • Steve Cherundolo did not dress in Hannover 96’s 2-0 loss vs. Schalke 04 on Sunday.
  • Fabian Johnson dressed but did not play in TSG 1899 Hoffenheim’s 1-1 draw vs. SC Freiburg on Saturday.
  • Timmy Chandler started and played 10 minutes in FC Nurberg’s 2-0 loss vs. Bayern Munich on Saturday.
  • John Brooks did not dress in Hertha Berlin’s 3-0 win vs. Hamburg SV on Saturday.

Bundesliga 2

  • Alfredo Morales came off the bench and played one minute in FC Ingolstadt 04’s 1-1 draw vs. Karlsruhe on Sunday.
  •  Bobby Wood and TSV 1860 Munich play Fortuna Dusseldorf on Monday.
  • Andrew Wooten came off the bench, played 22 minutes and scored a GOAL in FSV Frankfurt’s 2-1 win vs. VfL Bochum on Friday.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgpVOGnQS_Q?feature=player_embedded]

FRANCE

  • Alejandro Bedoya did not dress in FC Nantes’ 2-1 loss vs. Olympique Lyon on Sunday. He is recovering from a thigh injury.

NETHERLANDS

  • Aron Johannsson did not dress in AZ Alkmaar’s 2-1 loss vs. Go Ahead Eagles on Saturday. He is recovering from a groin injury.
  • Juan Agudelo started and played 90 minutes in FC Utrecht’s 5-2 loss vs. RKC Waalwijk on Sunday.

TURKEY

  • Jermaine Jones did not dress in Besiktas’ 2-1 win vs. Gaziantepspor on Friday. He is recovering from a groin injury.

BELGIUM

  • Sacha Kljestan dressed but did not play in RSC Anderlecht’s 2-2 draw vs. KV Kortrijk on Saturday.

AUSTRIA

  • Terrence Boyd did not dress in Rapid Vienna’s 3-1 win vs. Austria Vienna on Sunday. He was serving a one-game suspension for the red card he received in their last game.

MEXICO

  • Michael Orozco started and played 90 minutes in Puebla’s 1-0 loss vs. Chivas de Guadalajara on Sunday.
  • DaMarcus Beasley started and played 74 minutes for Puebla.
  • Jose Torres dressed but did not play in Tigres UANL’s 1-1 draw vs. Santos Laguna on Saturday.
  • Jonathan Bornstein did not dress in Atlante’s 4-1 loss vs. Cruz Azul on Sunday.
  • Edgar Castillo started and played 90 minutes in Club Tijuana’s 2-1 win vs. Monterrey on Friday.
  • Herculez Gomez started and played 61 minutes for Club Tijuana.
  • Joe Corona came off the bench and played 13 minutes for Club Tijuana.
  • Greg Garza dressed but did not play Club Tijuana.
  • Paul Arriola dressed but did not play for Club Tijuana.
  • Joaquin Alonso Hernandez did not dress in Monterrey’s 2-1 loss vs. Club Tijuana on Friday.

—–

What do you think of these performances? Concerned by the number of injuries? Worried by Dempsey’s absence in Fulham’s draw with Manchester United?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I have to agree with the OP, the kid is an American. Born here, grew up here, is a citizen. We may not like his choice regarding his international playing career but there is nothing “honorary” about his status as an American.

    Reply
    • So they should change the title to”American national team players abroad” because some people can’t seem to grasp that’s what the article is about?

      Reply
      • Yes John, correct. Perhaps it should be listed as USMNT abroad. because Rossi,(Just most notable) is not the only natural born citizen who does not get mentioned regarding their exploits.
        On the flip side, it would be most helpful if we got all the news of all players abroad who either do, or could play for the USMNT.

      • Or we could all agree that this is a blog not a wiki, and that comprehensive lists are appropriately expected on the latter but annoying on the former.

        P.S. Anyone clamoring for truth in advertising in the post’s title should note that it is not “Each and Every American Abroad.”

      • Not asking for a completely comprehensive list. But I am arguing for the inclusion of the best American player in the world.

      • And then someone will “have a bone to pick” with you, pointing out that the “best American player in the world” is Leo Messi. That’s the danger of getting hung up on semantics instead of context.

        I guess you have to ask why anyone—or rather, why *most* readers—even care about a recurring topic like this. (And by “you,” I mean the author of the blog.) Is it because readers care how Americans (defined as “players holding US passports”) are doing—some sort of promotion of nationalism? I don’t think so. I certainly don’t care*.

        I think most readers care about tracking prospects and members of the USMNT. Rossi is the best player from the USA but he will never be part of the USMNT, thus he is not part of this regular feature. (That’s the price you pay when you choose Italy over the USA: less air time on SBI.)

        (*I would be more interested in how non-US citizens who developed in the USA are doing—if there even are any. But again, that’s a different blog post.)

      • I also read these posts primarily to keep tabs on potential USMNT contributors. But I also think there’s value in tracking other talented Americans produced in part by our youth soccer systems. Often the conversation, particularly after a disappointing result, goes back to how we should be developing young talent. It’s worth remembering that Rossi’s developed into quite a player. Anyway, I’ve said my piece. Whether or not Rossi is included, I appreciate SBI compiling these round ups. It’s great stuff.

      • “That’s the price you pay when you choose Italy over the USA: less air time on SBI.”

        F— YEAH, SUCK IT ROSSI!

  2. “There were some positive developments this weekend. Juan Agudelo went the distance for FC Utrecht again in a 5-2 loss to RKC Waalwijk,”

    Things are bleak for Americans Abroad when the lead “positive development” is a player playing a full 90 in a Dutch league 5-2 loss. Ouch. Dang, I wish I could have at least watched Bradley play the last 15 minutes of a scoreless Rome derby today. That would have been the highlight of the weekend.

    Seriously, American field players abroad haven’t been this irrelevant as a whole in years. Thankfully Geoff Cameron is class and Johansson declared for the Red White and Blue.

    Also, a bit of a bone to pick with SBI, and probably I’m in the minority here. Rossi is an American playing abroad. Just because he plays for the Italians internationally, which is a bummer for us, doesn’t mean he’s not an American. I’m proud that a kid from Jersey is such a fantastic striker and I don’t judge him for the choice he made. He’s an American abroad, and he should be tracked on this column as such (even if it’s slightly painful because we can always dream about what might’ve been).

    Reply
      • Brede is not an American.

        AJ has an American passport. He is an American right now

        Brede does not appear to have one. Very big difference.

        In theory he might be able to apply for one. He could possibly be an American, but he’s not one right now.

        And, since he is tied to Norway having already played in WC qualifiers
        for them, it is a moot point in terms of the USMNT.

    • Or what about the “honorary Americans”. I mean anyone, who’s spent enough time around the states over the years to feel American enough.

      Reply
  3. This sums it up:

    “There were some positive developments this weekend. Juan Agudelo went the distance for FC Utrecht again in a 5-2 loss to RKC Waalwijk”

    Reply
    • They got a penalty in the 87′ which would have given them a draw but missed then gave up 2 goals in the final 3 minutes. So basically it should have been 3-3. But people who are not Juan did some really dumb crap.

      Reply
  4. As Poyet, himself, said, playing a man down for an entire match, you have to just throw out the match and not over analyze any performances. I’m not bothering debating anything about Altidore this week. I really don’t think anyone should. It’s silly, IMO.

    Reply
      • Amen! It seems as though instead of this site driving traffic to goal.com, all the commenters from over there are heading over here. (And those who don’t know what that signifies and why that’s a bad thing are probably coming over from goal.com).

      • Yeah, it’s getting worse. I think we’ve become infested by those things that live under bridges at g.com. Usually it’s not too bad on game threads, so I mainly focus on them. They don’t actually watch the games, they just spam afterwards or randomly during the matches so it’s obvious they’re not really watching. Still, it’s pretty annoying.

  5. I am afraid that many of the Americans who are possibilities for the USMNT are trying to do too much. They are not being warned that overdoing it causes you to suffer from stress injuries. Stress can cause fatigue which in turn can cause injury.

    Reply
  6. Jozy should have never let his teammate get a red card so early in the game, he really showed his immaturity by letting that happen.

    Reply
  7. Can Jozy turn around his season with SUNDERLAND?

    Can 5 or 10 league goals do it? Can winning them the Capital 1 Cup do it? Can saving them from relegation do it?

    should he look for an Italian or French club over the summer?

    Reply
  8. 184 (50)

    That’s Dempsey’s stat from FULHAM (first time around)

    thats’s nearly 1 goal every 3 matches for a winger/striker who early on was nothing more than a sub. His last season, he scored 17 league goals. and the only big club after him was SPURs? Liverpool low balled him with a 3million pound offer. heck STOKE payed Houston that much for Geoff Cameron. where were the Sevilla or Roma or Lyon or Schalke? Spurs bought DEMPSEY FOR 10 MILLION on the last day of the transfer window. If he were English or Brazilian he’d have been worth easily 20 million dollars.

    Reply
    • I feel the same way. Additionally, Deuce did some things and scored some big goals at Spurs, and didn’t deserve to be dogged out like that. As an American, a player needs to work much harder for respect and value. Here’s hoping Deuce and our other top countrymen like MB90 start the season strong in MLS. In 2002, we had a largely MLS based side, so if this is our path to success, so be it. MLS season couldn’t start soon enough.

      Reply
      • The Americane Excuse is getting old. Dempsey is old so his value is lower; Dempsey also didn’t have a lot of time left on his contract, hence the low offer.

        Dempsey is a good player, but his time at Spurs and his time now shows that he needs the team around him to truly succeed. Also he didn’t score all his goals as a winger; that wonder year the result of playing further up.

        Dempsey should have stayed at Fulham where the team was built to his strengths and the fans loved him. Maybe then he wouldn’t be suiting up for MLS in a month, playing his games on turf and risking a big injury.

      • Dempsey needs to turn things around. Move to MLS did not work out and now, after recent transfers, may be on the outside looking in for playing time. Not good for Deuce or USA.

      • When he came to Seattle, the MLS season was about two thirds over, Dempsey wasn’t at full fitness because of the difference in schedules and he was dealing with an injury. I don’t see how any rational person could conclude from that this his move to MLS didn’t work out. Fact, in his first 20 games for the Red Bulls, Tim Cahill scored only 1 goal, so I guess he didn’t work out, except that in his next 20 games he scored 8 times.

      • i hear what you’re saying, but just want to point out: 9 goals in 40 games still isn’t all that good, especially for how much they were paying.

        i’m pretty sure he was playing mid for at least some of that time, though, wasn’t he?

      • Mr. Dollars,

        “9 goals in 40 games still isn’t all that good”

        If you are referring to Clint and his year at Spurs it was actually 12 goals in 43 appearances across all competitions.

        And that is just about Clint’s average, 42.6 appearances and 11.8 goals per season across all competitions during his time at Fulham, if you throw out the first year ( acclimating).

        Clint’s season at Spurs was actually almost perfectly average especially considering he was not featured like he was at Fulham and he did not have the pre season with them. On the other hand, he was playing with much better players.

        As for your contention that “9 goals in 40 games still isn’t all that good” it depends on what you are asking the player to do.

        9 in 40 works out to about a goal every four games.

        Yaya Toure averaged that in the the two seasons before this season . This season, when he appears to be more involved going forward he is averaging about a goal every two games.

        Juan Mata averaged a goal every four games in his first season at Chelsea and a goal every 3.2 games the following season.

        Dempsey’s “slump” can be explained by the transition effect. Of course, since he is 30 there is a chance he won’t make the transition.

        On the other hand in 2011 he scored 5, in 2012 he scored 6 and in 2013 he scored 6 goals for the US. That makes 17 goals in the last three years,

        Six goals is the most he has ever scored for the US in one year so he is trending upward in that respect.

        I see Seattle as someplace he can keep in shape for Brazil so as far as I’m concerned, if he starts scoring in MLS he should be back on track for the WC.

        I see much of this noise about Dempsey as filler for a comparative lack of news about the USMNT.

        At his age it was always going to be a matter of whether he could arrange it to “peak” in June and July..

      • I have probably seen the majority of Dempsey’s game in England, maybe two thirds or more. He played on the wing from 80 to 90% of the time. The year he scored 17 he played more striker, but mostly in the second half of the season because of injuries to their strikers. With Tottenham he almost always played in the midfield. Against Basel in the semifinals of the Europe Cup he played up top because of injuries to everyone else, including Bale, and scored twice. A time or two he played as a withdrawn forward for Spurs. He played in 29 games, I think, for Spurs and only played as a striker maybe 3 times. As for MLS, he has a guaranteed contract until he is 35, something he would never have gotten in England. In fact, I doubt hardly anyone in England has a contract with the security Dempsey got. Try dealing with facts, not just opinion.

    • It’s a cold, harsh reality: American footballers are seem as inferior creatures.

      The bias is quite real, despite some not willing to accept it.

      But what can anyone do about it? Until a US striker lights it up in the PREM nothing will change. Maybe Juan can do so because it is looking like Jozy can’t make things happen at Sunderland.

      It’s hard being an American fan of this game.

      Reply
      • Like Josh D. above, I think this whole line of thinking is bull. Americans will be more respected and loved when they PLAY BETTER. The reason they aren’t played more and better loved is because they don’t play well enough. The bias that you love to dwell on is insignificant compared to the quality of play by Yanks Abroad, which has not been good lately.

      • as someone who experienced the bias first hand while playing in Europe… you don’t know what you are talking about… it does exist.

        you are most often doubted initially and have to work to overcome the stigma..

      • Andy in Atlanta,

        My experience in the UK and Europe is that they are prejudiced against everyone, probably more overtly that the average American is used to. And foreigners do have to be twice as good. It’s part of the deal everywhere. You are getting paid more than the local guy so there better be a reason for that.

        However, it’s like anything else in sport, if you can PLAY, you can be a green man from Mars and have two heads and they will accommodate to you to the extent necessary to allow you to do what you do.
        If you are not good enough then, yes, you will have a certain amount of negativity unleashed on you.

        Guys like Dempsey moved to England for the money and the competition not to be one of “them”. Dolo, on the other hand , appears to have become a valued member of the community.

        The point is earning your living in any foreign country is tough and is different for just about everyone.

    • Just curious to know how do you guys explain Altidore.
      One goal all season and a number of missed sitters that cost his team valuable points and yet he still makes it to the pitch.

      Reply
      • He is a mental case, by his own admission. It’s about how he is thinking. Not to mention that Sunderland is a garage team.

        There is no getting around: they are garbage through and through and it was the wrong place for him to go in the first place. They don’t play to his strengths and the team is disjointed, selfish, unorganized and filled with sub-par players.

        He plays because he is their best option up from and was their marquee signing last year.

        Jozy has all the tools to be a top flight player but it looks like he can’t get it done with Sunderland. Perhaps the PREM isn’t the best place for him.

      • He plays at Sunderland. Thats all there is to explain it. When Sunderland plays bad Altidoreu sually plays bad. When Sunderland plays well, Altidore usually plays well. Sunderland started the season awful and so Altidore started the season terrible. Sunderland is playing well now and Altidore is playing well now. Altidore is not the kind of player who makes things happens on his own, he is the kind of person who works with those around him to get things done. He is getting the praise for his team play, but now its time to score goals. If he can score at least 5 goals before the end of the season he wont be a disappointment. Its all up to him now, the team is playing well.

      • It’s a bit much to say they are playing well. They are playing better than before. Well is not the adjective I would choose.

        But I get your point.

        It is up to Jozy now. Can he get that edge one needs to score goals or will he just keep doing what he is doing?

      • But shouldn’t his leadership shine through? He is supposed to be the best here in the US. That at least should give him confidence.

      • His is 24 and still in his first season at Sunderland, no way any leadership should shine through. In a year (assuming he stays) it might be more reasonable to expect him to be a leader at Sunderland,

      • That’s very simple. He’s playing on a lousy team which doesn’t create many chances, to put it mildly. He has missed a few good opportunities, but there is no striker in the world who hasn’t. He’s actually played quite well considering the team he’s on and his role on the field. His hold up play has been excellent, his first touch is really world class now; he just needs to regain his confidence and the team to start creating chances.

    • What about Dempsey ? Is he on the stands because he has sucked for the past six months or because he’s American ?
      Cameron ? Do they know he’s American and decided to overlook it because he’s doing pretty good?

      Reply
  9. Cropper, normally a no.4 at SOUTHAMPTON is no.2 due to injuries

    remember 07-08 when we had 4 US goalkeepers playing in the PL. Glory days

    Keller, Friedel, Howard, Hahnemann

    what is it about US gk’s that attracts the premier league?

    Reply
    • The American fighting spirit. GKs aren’t as ‘plugged in’ to their teams as field players, so one can go far with the spirit as a GK.

      Reply
      • Why is that silly? It’s very true.

        American football, baseball and even basketball require excellent hand-eye coordination. 99% of soccer (football) players don’t need that: only the goalkeepers.

      • more to it than that right?

        we have had several GK’s in the PL. Starting and leading their team. but why do they go to England and not Germany or Italy?

      • Its easier to adjust living in a country that speaks English. If 2 teams are offering equal money you’d go to England every time.

      • But if teams throughout Europe were offering more money to play than US teams (and they most certainly are) then you’d go to Europe despite the language barrier. And yet, we don’t see American goalkeepers throughout Europe…just a lot in the BPL.

        So maybe it’s because England produces terrible goalkeepers while other European nations do not. Thus, Italy, Germany, et al don’t need Americans, but England does.

      • We could also ask why are all US keepers bald. Maybe there really isn’t an answer and all just happen to play in England.

      • Studies have indicated that aerodynamically clean keepers have a few milliseconds advantages on saves.

        Tally Hall will never be a USMNT regular until he shaves his head. This also relates to why US keepers prefer England. The higher quality of the lighting in the average English stadium means their bald heads serve as a distraction to opposing strikers in a way that doesn’t work as well on the continent. Tim Howard turned down interest from PSG for this reason.

      • Thank you, GW. I think we’ve reached the point on the thread where I can’t reply directly to your comment, but thank you.

    • I don’t think that this is true anymore, or at least right now. I think the better question is why are there so many polish gk’s or slovakian gk’s in the EPL right now, and not more Americans.

      Only Timmy Ho and Brad Guzan doesn’t cut it in my book.

      Reply
    • What is with all the Wynalda, McBride, Joe-Max Moore spam these days?
      What is there to miss? Am I missing a joke? I’ll take our current lot over anybody fielded in the 90s. Jozy will reach McHead’s USMNT tally next year, at the age of 25, and has already scored more European goals. Jozy will best Moore’s tally this year, and he’ll take down Wynalda’s tally in the future…

      Let’s also not forget that the game has evolved dramatically since the 90s, and these guys would have difficulties with playing time on their respective teams today. Wynalda had his best season with the San Jose Clash…I’m not so sure that he would take Wondo’s spot today.

      Reply
      • yeah, i think it’s pretty obvious they’re spam/bots, but i cannot for the life of me figure out what the point would be.

        of course, it could just be some random mexican with the subtlest troIIing of all time. in that case, well played, mexico…

  10. Does anyone know what Kljestan’s situation is? I’ve seen perhaps he isn’t 100% back to form but I’ve also seen they’ve moved the captain from right back into his spot. However I wonder if Anderlecht’s recent struggles actually in some way just raises his value. It’s kind of hard to find much information on it.

    Reply
    • He was injured around late december. i remember reading he had a face cancer scare or so. last few weeks he’s been stuck on the bench. would be shocked if they try to sell him considering he was their top scorer until recently and was maybe their MVP during the CL group stage

      Reply
  11. Apparently Herc Gomez was loudly booed by Tijuana fans when he was subbed out. He had missed an easy shot earlier in the game. (see link below). Hope he can regain his previous good form, which would make a WC ticket possible. Otherwise, Castillo and Corona both are contenders to make the WC 23. I think Corona has potential to be a World Cup revelation. Would prefer him over Mix (and Bedoya). A shame he was on the wrong end of a, how shall we say, unclean tackle a few weeks ago and missed some games.

    http://www.sandiegored.com/noticias/47456/Home-Sweet-Home-for-Xolos-2-1-win-over-Monterrey/

    Reply

Leave a Comment