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Americans Abroad: Weekend Rewind

Juan Agudelo FC Utrecht (Getty Images)

By FRANCO PANIZO

Juan Agudelo came off the bench for FC Utrecht late in the first half on Sunday, and he did not take very long to make an impact.

After entering Utrecht’s clash with SC Heracles Almelo in the 36th minute, Agudelo waited just four minutes before scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory with a well-placed and powerful header. The goal broke Agudelo out of a two-month scoreless slump and was his second since joining Utrecht on loan from Stoke City in late January. The tally also helped the club secure another season in the Eredivisie and boosted Agudelo’s chances of receiving an invite to the U.S. Men’s National Team’s preliminary World Cup camp next month.

Two other players from the Americans Abroad contingent found the back of the net this weekend. Michael Farfan came off the bench late to rescue a point for Cruz Azul by scoring a stoppage-time equalizer on a rebound in a 2-2 draw with Pachuca on Saturday. Alfredo Morales opened his scoring account for FC Ingolstadt 04 with an early strike in an eventual 2-1 loss to SC Paderborn 07 on Friday.

More good news came out of Turkey, as Jermaine Jones and Besiktas moved into the UEFA Champions League qualifiers spot in the Super Lig. Besiktas tied Konyaspor, 1-1, on Friday and that, combined with Galatasaray suffering a 2-1 defeat to Sivasspor, moved the Black Eagles into the coveted second-place position. Jones started and went the distance for his club.

Here is how the Americans Abroad performed this weekend:

ENGLAND

Premiership

  • Tim Howard started, played 90 minutes and made six saves in Everton’s 1-0 win vs. Sunderland on Saturday.
  • Jozy Altidore did not dress for Sunderland’s 1-0 loss vs. Everton on Saturday. He is recovering from an injury.
  • Geoff Cameron started and played 90 minutes in Stoke City’s 1-0 win vs. Newcastle United on Saturday.
  • Brek Shea did not dress for Stoke City.
  • Brad Guzan started, played 90 minutes and made three saves in Aston Villa’s 1-0 loss vs. Crystal Palace on Saturday.
  • Brad Friedel dressed but did not play in Tottenham Hotspur’s 3-3 draw vs. West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
  • Cody Cropper dressed but did not play in Southampton’s 1-0 loss vs. Cardiff City on Saturday.
  • Sebastian Lletget and West Ham United did not play this weekend.

CHAMPIONSHIP

  • Oguchi Onyewu started and played 90 minutes in Sheffield Wednesday’s 3-3 draw vs. Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
  • Danny Williams and Reading play Leicester City on Monday.
  • Duane Holmes dressed but did not play in Huddersfield Town’s 3-1 loss vs. Derby County on Saturday.
  • Jonathan Spector and Birmingham City did not play this weekend.
  • Will Packwood and Birmingham City did not play this weekend.
  • Tim Ream started and played 90 minutes in Bolton Wanderers’ 1-0 win vs. Barnsley on Saturday.
  • Stuart Holden did not dress for Bolton. He is recovering from a knee injury.
  • Eric Lichaj did not dress in Nottingham Forest’s 5-2 loss vs. Queens Park Rangers on Saturday. He is recovering from a groin injury.
  • Zak Whitbread dressed but did not play in Derby County’s 3-1 win vs. Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

League One

  • Gboly Ariyibi did not dress in Tranmere Rovers’ 2-1 win vs. Shrewsbury Town on Saturday.

GERMANY

Bundesliga

  • Fabian Johnson started and played 90 minutes in TSG 1899 Hoffenheim’s 2-0 win vs. FC Augsburg on Sunday.
  • Joe Gyau dressed but did not play for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.
  • John Brooks did not dress in Hertha Berlin’s 2-1 loss vs. Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday.
  • Timmy Chandler did not dress in FC Nurberg’s 4-1 loss vs. VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday. He is recovering from a knee injury.
  • David Yelldell dressed but did not play in Bayer Leverkusen’s 2-1 win vs. Hertha Berlin on Sunday.

Bundesliga 2

  • Alfredo Morales started, played 59 minutes and scored a GOAL in FC Ingolstadt 04’s 2-1 loss vs. SC Paderborn 07 on Friday.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV8Trjy13bM?feature=player_embedded]

  • Bobby Wood and TSV 1860 Munich play Dynamo Dresden on Monday.
  • Andrew Wooten came off the bench and played 27 minutes in FSV Frankfurt’s 3-0 win vs. FSV Frankfurt on Sunday.

FRANCE

  • Alejandro Bedoya started, played 90 minutes and received a yellow card in FC Nantes’ 1-0 win vs. Guingamp on Sunday.

NETHERLANDS

  • Aron Johannsson started and played 68 minutes in AZ Alkmaar’s 1-1 draw vs. NEC Nijmegen on Sunday.
  • Juan Agudelo came off the bench, played 54 minutes and scored a GOAL in FC Utrecht’s 2-1 win vs. SC Heracles Alemlo on Sunday.


TURKEY

  • Jermaine Jones started and played 90 minutes in Besiktas’ 1-1 draw vs. Konyaspor on Friday.

BELGIUM

  • Sacha Kljestan dressed but did not play in RSC Anderlecht’s 2-1 win vs. KSC Lokeren in the Pro League playoff on Friday.

DENMARK

  • Conor O’Brien came off the bench in stoppage time and played one minute in Odense BK’s 2-0 win vs. FC Midtjylland on Saturday.
  • Babajide Ogunbiyi came off the bench and played seven minutes in Viborg FF’s 3-1 loss vs. Randers FC on Sunday.

NORWAY

  • Mix Diskerud came off the bench and played 40 minutes in Rosenborg BK’s 2-0 win vs. Odd on Sunday.
  • Ethan Horvath dressed but did not play in Molde FK’s 2-0 win vs. Stabaek IF on Sunday.
  • Josh Gatt did not dress for Molde FK. He is recovering from a knee injury.
  • Zarek Valentin did not dress in FK Bodo/Glimt’s 4-2 win vs. Sogndal on Sunday. He is recovering from a knee injury.
  • Michael Stephens started and played 83 minutes in Stabaek IF’s 2-0 loss vs. Molde FK on Sunday.

AUSTRIA

  • Terrence Boyd came off the bench and played 25 minutes in Rapid Vienna’s 0-0 draw vs. FC Trenkwalder Admira on Saturday.

MEXICO

  • DaMarcus Beasley started and played 90 minutes in Puebla’s 1-0 loss vs. Club America on Sunday.
  • Michael Orozco did not dress for Puebla. He is recovering from a hamstring injury.
  • Jose Torres did not dress in Tigres UANL’s 1-1 draw vs. Club Tijuana on Saturday. He was suspended due to the red card he received last week.
  • Jonathan Bornstein dressed but did not play in Atlante’s 4-3 loss vs. Santos Laguna on Sunday.
  • Edgar Castillo started and played 90 minutes in Club Tijuana’s 1-1 draw vs. Tigres UANL on Saturday.
  • Joe Corona started and played 65 minutes for Club Tijuana.
  • Paul Arriola came off the bench and played seven minutes for Club Tijuana.
  • Greg Garza dressed but did not play for Club Tijuana.
  • Alejandro Guido dressed but did not play for Club Tijuana.
  • Herculez Gomez did not dress for Club Tijuana.
  • Fernando Arce Jr did not dress for Club Tijuana.
  • Joaquin Alonso Hernandez did not dress in Monterrey’s 1-1 draw vs. Jaguares de Chiapas on Saturday.
  • Gabriel Farfan did not dress in Jaguares de Chiapas’ 1-1 draw vs. Monterrey on Saturday.
  • Michael Farfan came off the bench, played 11 minutes and scored a GOAL in Cruz Azul’s 2-2 draw vs. Pachuca on Saturday.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBnAzHA0uAc?feature=player_detailpage]

  • Dennis Flores started and played 70 minutes in Club Leon’s 2-1 loss vs. Toluca on Sunday.
  • Miguel Palafox started and played 45 minutes for Club Leon.

—–

What do you think of these performances? Can you see Agudelo being one of the forwards that Jurgen Klinsmann takes to Brazil this summer? Impressed that Jones is potentially heading to Champions League with another club?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Wish we could experiment like this lol
    ——————-Howard———————–
    —–Cameron- ——Edu———–Besler
    ——————-Jones—————————
    Bedoya—————————————-FJ
    ————————Bradley————————–
    —–Dempsey——-Altidore———Donovon——-

    Reply
  2. AJ did draw a PK in his game but someone else took it.

    also, sounds like JJ hit the crossbar again but did have the “hockey assist” on their goal.

    Reply
  3. We are midfield ‘heavy’ team. JK needs to recognize and ’embrace’ such a situation. We do not have fullbacks that can join an attack. We have a weak group of forwards (except for Deuce).
    Thus we are best sticking with 3 formations 3-2-3-2, 4-2-2-2 and a 4-4-2 with a diamond middle. Having a long striker seems to be an absolute waste of a position.
    Our GK Corps is settled.
    In Defense the only 2 solids are Besler and Cameron (who can play RB, CB, and DM). Gonzalez is in freefall. Parkhurst can play anywhere on the back line. Worrisome is Brad Evans not recovering. Beasley does not have the wheels anymore but has experience. Fabian Johnson will make the team. Goodsen will make the team by default.
    In Midfield Beckerman, Bradley, Jones, Bedoya, Diskerud and Zusi are locks. Donovan will be brought along because of his experience. Walking the line are D. Williams, Edu (who can also play as a center back), Green, Corona, and Gil. Brad, Shea and Kljestan are out of the picture.
    Up top are Dempsey and Aron J. Altidore will be brought along. What does Wondo need to do to make the team except sell tickets? Boyd and Agudelo are out.
    My best guess……
    Howard, Guzan, Rimando
    Besler, Cameron, Goodsen, Parkhurst, F. Johnson, Beasley, Evans
    Beckerman, Bradley, Jones, Zusi, Donovan, Bedoya, Diskerud, Williams, Edu (Note: No Green unless Evans is out)
    Dempsey, Aron J, Altidore, and yes, Wondo.

    Reply
  4. I say let’s abandon the 4-2-3-1 altogether since it’s clear that Altidore is not the answer this year and there really isn’t a target striker I have any confidence in. Dempsey has been playing very well for Seattle as a withdrawn forward and so I think he can be paired with AJ up top. As for the backline, all else being equal I’d rather have Cameron playing at RB, but Fabian has been playing there as well and I want to do anything to avoid having Gonzalez see the field.

    —————Johannsson—————-
    ————————Dempsey———-
    Donovan/Zusi—————Bedoya/Zusi
    ————-Bradley——Jones———–
    Beasley—Besler—-Cameron—Johnson
    —————–Howard——————–

    Reply
    • I feel like striker is up for grabs for just about anyone at this point. Even Aron has hit a slump with only one goal from the run of play in his last 10 matches. EJ yet to score in DC, Boyd coming off the bench at Rapid now. Juan scored today but it was just his second since the move to the Eredivisie. Not sure anyone feels too confident in Wondo. Either someone gets hot these last couple weeks or its just on Klinsmann to look at everyone in camp and make the call.

      Reply
      • Agree, John. I think all the strikers should be scared/worried about getting a spot.

        Dempsey is just now returning to form…Jozy has a minor injury but doesn’t even make the bench right now when healthy…AJ & T-Boyd aren’t seeming as prolific anymore in their rather respective featherweight leagues…EJ has yet to find the net for DCU…Agudelo hasn’t been in the USMNT picture for basically Klinsmann’s entire tenure…and Wondo, I think at least in Klinsi’s mind & I’ve always shared the same opinion, isn’t cut out for a major int’l tourney against the world’s best teams.

        If I had to guess now, I’d say it will be Dempsey and Jozy starting against Ghana….with Jozy being on a very short leash to the point that Klinsmann will pull him out as soon as he’s seen enough ineffectiveness in order to infuse the team’s lifeblood with AJ or EJ.

      • Respectfully disagree with you, Chris, on Klinsmann’s perception of Wondow. Klinsmann would not be starting Wondow in friendlies this close to the WC, let alone even calling him into camp, unless he had a major respect for Wondow’s capabilities. If Wondow’s form holds until end of May and he remains injury free, he will have a ticket for Brazil, and even a chance of being starter, depending on how Jozy shows in the May camp and send-off friendlies.

      • I’m with Biff, I think Wondo has got himself on the plane in JK’s eyes. And just gonna throw out there that Wondo’s off-ball movement is perfect for opening space for Dempsey and Bradley to work in. I’m wondering that if the decision is made to move Altidore to the bench, that Wondo may be the next man up.

      • nah, Wondo wasn’t called up for a single qualifier. that alone tells you what you need to know. i’m starting to think he will go to Brazil given his performance in the friendlies, but no way he starts.

    • I agree with just about all of your line up, and would say LD on one side with Zusi on the other. I agree with your back 4, given what is available at this time.

      However, I know what quality JJ can bring. I know his pedigree. But, is Beckerman a better fit for this team to allow MB to attack? I know Beckerman isn’t as athletic, or as skilled…I know. But is Beckerman the spine and the grit that we need to allow this team to be more competitive? Does he give MB more confidence?

      In other words, can JJ do the Beckerman job, or will he play side by side with MB causing it to be counter-productive?

      I am starting to believe I want the Dreadlock Rasta.

      Reply
    • A few weeks ago a number of posters were saying Dempsey was washed up, he shouldn’t start in Brazil, etc. Others said that Greg Garza should be seriously considered for Brazil. Now Dempsey is on fire and Garza didn’t even get off the bench. As I have been saying for a long time, we shouldn’t jump to conclusions. It is way too early to count out Jozy, or anybody else for that matter, and too soon to pencil anyone in. Even locks like M Bradley could get hurt, throwing all calculations out the window. You need to consider a player’s body of work, not just his form this week or even this month.

      Reply
      • +1, and could someone pass the salt as I eat a big portion of crow for my criticism of Clint’s loan to Fulham. None of the media pundits have mentioned it, but a strong argument could be made that the Fulham loan is a big factor in Clint’s current excellent form.

    • I think you’re on to something Dan, especially considering current form trends and Deuce’s affinity for playing as a 2nd striker or cutting in from the left (the latter which leaves us weak defensively). I see Bedoya making the starting 11 with the form he’s in, possibly at LD’s expense. He could also play in the hole in a 4-2-3-1, pushing Deuce closer to goal and allowing Zusi and LD to interchange on the wings. This would drop Jozy to the bench, which I don’t see as a negative.

      Reply
    • Dude short circuited couple Sundays ago on the running commentary, spouted off for hours was obnocksious and someone named The Zimmer got fed up and ripped him a new one which he deserved. So then he goes to a Red Bulls game story and cries about it there. He hasn’t posted under that name since then. Probably still slithering around though. Creepy.

      Reply
  5. How good is the striker Robert Lewandowski? He signed a contract with Bayern Munich right?

    wondering if he’s worthy of MLS going after in a few years. Only 26 at the moment.

    Reply
    • Last year, he scored 4 goals in one game against Real Madrid. He was one of the three world class players for Dortmund last year who carried them into the final of the Champions League. He’s a dyed in the wool goal scorer.

      Yes, he’s quite good. And for any team that gave him service, he’d be a big deal in MLS.

      Reply
    • Problem is truly “World Class” players would only consider MLS when they are well past their primes. At which I would rather a team spend the money on development of younger players or increase pay of other teammates or get a good player not quite past his prime with some name recognition.

      Reply
      • It’s steadily changing. MLS is getting more internationals in their 20s. They just signed a 26 year old Ligue 1 captain. Once the salary cap and DP slots are increased the quality of the league will increase greatly.

    • Here Here. but why is he managing a mid-table Norwegian club?

      maybe he should have tried Belgium or Holland or even a club in League 1?does his world cup experience count for nothing ?

      Reply
      • Unforunately it does not count for much. Some of this is bias – U.S. soccer just doesn’t have much cachet in Europe, especially amongst the old guard types who make most of the hiring decisions. I can’t think of a single example of an American managing in a top division club in any European league. Blowing up these perceptions takes time.

        There is also a more reasonable concern about nature of club vs. int’l managment. The stakeholders are very different and the manager often has far little discretion in selecting his player pool. Moreover, there is host of operational considerations ranging academy oversight to financial management and transfer policy that are different. Bradley is intelligent, adaptable and has an exceptional work ethic– I have little doubt he would be a quick study. But there is not much in the way of direct experience on his CV that would quiet doubters.

        But it’s not all bleak. Lots of managers have cut their teeth in Scandanavia and gone on to bigger things. Patience is typically much greater and if he can achieve some success and improve the club, it will be noticed and appreciated.

      • Considering Stabæk spend last season in Norway’s second-tier league, I don’t think “mid-table” is really all that inaccurate. It’d be one thing if Bradley were managing Rosenborg or Strømsgodset or someone; this is clearly different.

      • “magi4 says:
        Here Here. but why is he managing a mid-table Norwegian club?
        maybe he should have tried Belgium or Holland or even a club in League 1?does his world cup experience count for nothing ?”

        Almost nothing.

        Managing a World Cup campaign is very different from managing a club’s league campaign.

        And Bradley’s club experience is in MLS. And MLS is a very different animal from other leagues.

        If you doubt that then why did NYFC who could have hired lots of big name managers from anywhere pick Kreis?
        Because he’s good and he KNOWS MLS.

        BB has never managed a club anywhere in Europe.
        This means he does not have the helpful contacts and the knowledge of the player pool for transfers, etc.,etc., that a Euro guy would.

        So any club hiring BB would have to be patient and give him time to learn the Euro scene.

        Stabaek are in a position to be patient. The vast majority of clubs in Europe are not. Everyone expects results yesterday

        BB is a fine manager and will do well After one or two seasons convincing everyone that he can handle the Euro club scene then I’m sure he will move on to better things.

    • Michael Stephens plays for Stabek and Ives has been including his performace every week in Yanks rewind. So basically you can see how Bob Bradley’s team did from this report.

      Reply
  6. Jozy’s recovering from a stress fracture of his pride. He picked up the injury while training with the reserve squad.

    Reply
    • so true

      how does 1 fix that. Look at Torres. All those injuries and bad form with Chelsea has him totally doubting himself. It’s really sad to look at. Jozy has the talent but that streak that makes a striker CLASS is not even in his eye anymore.

      Reply
    • Jozy Altidore went 90 minutes, cleaning the gutters on the shed at the team practice facility, because he is tall.

      Reply
      • Brad Friedel picked up an inexplicable English accent, and is day-to-day.

        Timmy Chandler suffered a ligament injury while kicking himself for not waiting for Cherundolo to fall apart.

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