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Americans Abroad: Weekend Rewind

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By FRANCO PANIZO

Terrence Boyd just cannot stop finding the back of the net right now.

Playing in Rapid Vienna’s penultimate game of the season on Sunday, Boyd continued his recent scoring tear by netting the winner in the first half of the club’s 2-0 triumph over FC Wacker Tirol. The 23-year-old Boyd has now scored in three straight matches and has five goals during that span. He also lifted his career-high total across all competitions to 19 and looked to have sealed an invite to the U.S. Men’s National Team’s looming pre-World Cup camp.

Juan Agudelo was another forward who made an impact this weekend. Agudelo closed out his loan with FC Utrecht by setting up a goal and scoring the game-winner in a 2-1 triumph over Vitesse Arnhem in their season finale. The Man-of-the-Match performance gave Agudelo two goals in his last three games for Utrecht, three in 14 overall appearances, and should boost his chances of earning a call-up from U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann later this month.

Jozy Altidore may not have scored for his club, but he and Sunderland enjoyed a surprise 1-0 road victory over Manchester United that raised the Black Cats’ odds of avoiding relegation. Sunderland are now two points clear of drop zone and have a game in hand over 17th-placed Norwich City, who play just once more this season.

As enjoyable as the weekend may have been for the aforementioned three players, it was just as forgettable for Tim Howard and Everton. The Toffees saw their slim UEFA Champions League dreams come to an end with a 3-2 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday, leaving Everton to have to change the focus of their impressive season to trying to book a place in next season’s Europa League.

Here is how the Americans Abroad performed this weekend:

ENGLAND

Premiership

  • Tim Howard started, played 90 minutes and made three saves in Everton’s 3-2 loss vs. Manchester City on Saturday.
  • Jozy Altidore came off the bench and played 25 minutes in Sunderland’s 1-0 win vs. Manchester United on Saturday.
  • Geoff Cameron started and played 90 minutes in Stoke City’s 4-1 win vs. Fulham on Saturday.
  • Brek Shea did not dress for Stoke City.
  • Brad Guzan started, played 90 minutes and made two saves in Aston Villa’s 3-1 win vs. Hull City on Saturday.
  • Brad Friedel dressed but did not play in Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-0 loss vs. West Ham United on Saturday.
  • Cody Cropper did not dress in Southampton’s 1-0 win vs. Swansea City on Saturday.
  • Sebastian Lletget did not dress in West Ham United’s 2-0 win vs. Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

CHAMPIONSHIP

  • Oguchi Onyewu started, played 90 minutes and received a yellow card in Sheffield Wednesday’s 2-1 loss vs. Ipswich Town on Saturday.
  • Danny Williams did not dress in Reading’s 2-2 draw vs. Burnley on Saturday.
  • Duane Holmes dressed but did not play in Huddersfield Town’s 4-1 win vs. Watford on Saturday.
  • Jonathan Spector started and played 90 minutes in Birmingham City’s 2-2 draw vs. Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.
  • Will Packwood did not dress for Birmingham City. He is recovering from an injury.
  • Tim Ream started and played 90 minutes in Bolton Wanderers’ 2-2 draw vs. Birmingham City 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 2-1 loss vs. Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday. He is recovering from a groin injury.
  • Zak Whitbread started, played 90 minutes and received a yellow card in Derby County’s 1-1 draw vs. Leeds United on Saturday.

League One

  • Gboly Ariyibi did not dress in Tranmere Rovers’ 2-1 loss vs. Bradford City on Saturday.

GERMANY

Bundesliga

  • Fabian Johnson started and played 90 minutes in TSG 1899 Hoffenheim’s 3-2 loss vs. Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
  • Joe Gyau came off the bench and played 29 minutes for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.
  • John Brooks started, played 90 minutes and received a yellow card in Hertha Berlin’s 2-0 loss vs. Werder Bremen on Saturday.
  • Timmy Chandler started, played 90 minutes and received a yellow card in FC Nurberg’s 2-0 loss vs. Hannover 96 on Saturday.
  • David Yelldell dressed but did not play in Bayer Leverkusen’s 2-0 win vs. Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.

Bundesliga 2

  • Alfredo Morales did not dress in FC Ingolstadt 04’s 2-0 win vs. SV Sandhausen on Sunday. He was suspended due to yellow card accumulation.
  • Bobby Wood started and played 58 minutes in TSV 1860 Munich’s 2-0 win vs. VfL Bochum on Sunday.
  • Andrew Wooten started and played 62 minutes in FSV Frankfurt’s 0-0 draw vs. Arminia Bielefeld on Sunday.

FRANCE

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

NETHERLANDS

  • Aron Johannsson did not dress in AZ Alkmaar’s 1-1 draw vs. Feyenoord Rotterdam on Saturday.
  • Juan Agudelo started, played 90 minutes, had an ASSIST and scored a GOAL in FC Utrecht’s 2-1 win vs. Vitesse Arnhem on Saturday.

TURKEY

  • Jermaine Jones came off the bench and played 65 minutes in Besiktas’ 2-1 win vs. Kasimpasa on Sunday.

BELGIUM

  • Sacha Kljestan dressed but did not play in RSC Anderlecht’s 1-0 win vs. Club Brugge in the Pro League play-offs on Sunday.

AUSTRIA

  • Terrence Boyd started, played 80 minutes and scored a GOAL in Rapid Vienna’s 2-0 win vs. FC Wacker Tirol on Sunday.

DENMARK

  • Conor O’Brien and Odense BK play AGF Aarhus on Monday.
  • Babajide Ogunbiyi started and played 90 minutes in Viborg FF’s 1-0 loss vs. SonderjyskE on Sunday.

NORWAY

  • Mix Diskerud started and played 90 minutes in Rosenborg BK’s 2-0 loss vs. Molde FK on Sunday.
  • Ethan Horvath dressed but did not play in Molde FK’s 2-0 win vs. Rosenborg BK 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 2-0 loss vs. Stromsgodset on Sunday.
  • Michael Stephens and Stabaek IF play Valerenga on Monday.

MEXICO

  • Edgar Castillo started and played 90 minutes in Club Tijuana’s 3-1 loss vs. Toluca in the second leg of their Liga MX quarterfinals series on Sunday. Club Tijuana were eliminated on via a 3-1 aggregate scoreline.
  • Joe Corona came off the bench and played 22 minutes for Club Tijuana.
  • Herculez Gomez dressed but did not play Club Tijuana.
  • Greg Garza dressed but did not play for Club Tijuana.
  • Paul Arriola did not dress for Club Tijuana.
  • Alejandro Guido did not dress for Club Tijuana.
  • Fernando Arce Jr did not dress for Club Tijuana.
  • Michael Farfan did not dress in Cruz Azul’s 2-2 draw vs. Club Leon in the second leg of their Liga MX quarterfinals series on Saturday. Cruz Azul were eliminated via the away-goals rule after the 3-3 aggregate series.
  • Dennis Flores did not dress in Club Leon’s 2-2 draw vs. Cruz Azul in the second leg of their Liga MX quarterfinals series on Saturday. Club Leon advanced via the away-goals rule after the 3-3 aggregate series.
  • Miguel Palafox did not dress for Club Leon.

—–

What do you think of these performances? Hoping Boyd gets a call-up and some playing time in the USMNT’s upcoming games? What are the chances that Agudelo is summoned by Klinsmann?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. The next two friendlies Klinsmann could test-out these forward pairings: Boyd & Altidore, Aguedolo & Boyd, Aron & Aguedolo, Aron & Boyd, Aron & Aguedolo. Altidore could work and used size to break down defenders and create spaces for other forward, like Altidore did against Bosnia. Finishing is more important than anything!

    Defense for next two friendlies: Chandler as rb, Brooks, Gooch and Ream as lb. I know Gooch and Brooks pairing was terrible last game, but Gooch and Brooks are regulars now and having good season. These two friendlies are good test-out these defenders.

    Reply
    • Boyd and Altidore doesn’t really make sense as a pairing. Agudelo has a good shot at making the camp but probably isn’t making the roster unless he blows Klinsi away in camp. I also think Wondo is in the mix for a roster spot, and Dempsey will probably see minutes as a second striker at the WC.

      As far as the backline, we basically have to pray for Johnson-Besler-Cameron-Chandler. Anything else is asking for trouble against our WC opponents.

      Reply
  2. I believe the fact that we don’t have to wait 4 years until 2018 in Russia, we now have the Copa in 2016, will have a great bearing on who will be selected for the 23, and even the 11 starters, in Brazil.

    I think all of us are in for some surprises, and even shock.

    Reply
    • I sure hope not. The world cup should be about picking the best 23 for this tournament and the best XI for each game, not about preparing for some tournament two years from now.

      Reply
      • I think it is much more than that slow. Seriously, what chance do you personally think the USMNT have, with the projected team as constructed here at SBI, of making it out of group? You’re right, slim to none. About the same as all the other 6 world-cups I’ve followed.

        Now, with what has just happened in less than 3 months, let me ask you this. Do you think the USA is still going to do business as usual in Brazil?

      • Dirk, the chance of us advancing out of this group are very tough, I think the Soccer Power Index (whatever that really means) has us around 35-40%
        The chance that JK will bring a team that is built for any reason other than doing as well as possible right now, this year, in Brazil… is 0%
        1. The guy is a competitor 110%
        2. Do you seriously see him investing all this time and energy the last few years to only prep for 2018 because we got drawn into the group of death?
        3. What better way to prepare for the future than by showing well in Brazil?

      • 2018? what you talking about? We have the Americas in 2016, where we get to go up against Brazil, Argentina, Mexico et.al.

        So what I am saying, is that yes, of course, we need to have the best players in Brazil. However, this time, maybe for the first time ever, we will have the best players. Not the bunch of second and third-rate players that are championed here. Brek Shea, Wondo, give me a break.

        As I said, a lot of soccer experts may be in for a shock.

      • Ok, my bad, I misread your 2018 comment, but I don’t quite understand what you’re trying to get at… are you saying something like outside of the starting 11 expect a team made up of guys targeted for 2016 and the next cycle? Guess I’m a little confused ….

      • I agree, this is probably Clint Dempsey’s (who Klinsmann’s named the captain) last real shot in a World Cup, as well as Howard, and Jones. Klinsmann has too much respect for them to not give them the best chance he can.

      • btw, Oddschecker (a list of 16 or so bookmakers) have the USA with the best odds of the 4 teams to finish last in group.

      • Its a high probability we finish last. People think Ghana will be an easy match, but this team is stacked with talent. In my opinion, we are the worst team in the group. We could make some noise if we play to the best of our abilities, but I will not be surprised if we don’t make it out. I hope I’m wrong.

      • We are definitely the least talented, and its not even close. We have zero players making impacts in top leagues (Howard is the only argument), and our lone Champions League player only played in the group stage. Every other team in our group could field a starting 11 of CL and top-4 league starters.

        The only thing going in our favor for this cycle is the fact that Dempsey is riding one of the best stretches of form in his career. That might carry us to a point, but I’m not optimistic about anything beyond that.

        Our back 4 situation is no more clear now than it was 3 years ago, and our most dependable players are aging toward mediocrity. I’m already thinking about the future, because this team, though still successful regionally, is still not up to the level of even a dark horse WC contender. Klinsmann has been great for the profile of the team internationally, but tactically the team looks worse than it did under BB or Arena. We have somehow gone from being solid on set pieces to being totally vulnerable, and from quick and deadly on the counter to woefully slow and predictable.

        I think it will take another cycle to see a properly prepared team. Luckily we have the Olympics and CA in 16 to prepare for WC18.

      • Well, the US has made it out of the group 2 out of the last 3 WC’s so to me their chances are just as good as any and this roster is more talented than the previous 3 rosters! I don’t get the pessimism surrounding our chances considering we’ve played really well against big teams for going over 2 yrs now and I’d like to think that JK will have these boys flying after having them together for a full month or so in camp! Call me cynical I guess!

      • If we’re being seriously serious about the US chances, you’d have to give them a legitimate shot of getting out of the group and it’s because of the way the roster will be constructed. This will be the most talent laden roster the US has seen and its not close, and to think the US has made out of the group 2 out of the last 3 WC bodes well for them this summer! I don’t get the pessimism surrounding their chances but I guess there wouldn’t be anything to talk about if everybody was on board with them progressing. And please don’t say I’m not being realistic when that it’s all I’m doing considering the US has been fairly good against top international teams for over 2 years now coupled with previous WC success! Call me overly pessimistic I guess!

    • he was AWFUL. the guy should not be on the 30 man roster. in addition to his OG, he gave the ball away everytime.

      Reply
    • I wasn’t always sure about boyd but I wouldn’t mind seeing him in the 30. I’d have him taking shea’s spot.

      Reply
      • I just talked to Jurgen and Shea is, in fact, among the 30. Having said that, he’s going to have to play his little ass off and stand out substantially to make the 23. JK appreciates his tenacity and fearlessness, which may be combined with a low IQ in general, but with his physical attributes, he can bring unpredictability and chaos which can lead to a score.

    • I doubt we see Shea in the 30 which is sad because he does bring a presence off the bench and seemingly performs under Klinsi. But Shea has himself to blame. If he didn’t get himself booted from his loan club he would have been in the 23.

      Reply
      • He probably should have gone to a better Championship club when he had the chance rather then get caught in the drama of side in a relegation battle.

      • Football isn’t Shea’s calling. He doesn’t have a lot of heart for playing professional. He likes the paycheck, but he doesn’t care if he’s playing or not, as long as it keeps him fit, and he has an off season to work on his paintings.

        I’m a youth director at Wednesday and he was great with the lads, always coming in and messing around with them. Late for first team practice and had a “I don’t care” attitude. If he puts his mind and heart into football full time, he’ll be a great player.

      • Sheffield Wednesday? When was Shea there? No wonder he can’t get on, he’s training with the wrong club.

      • He was there before he went to Barnsley you fools. Stick to loving the MLS, please, because y’all have no idea about Americans Abroad

      • Oguchi is at Sheffield Wednesday and Holden went on loan there at the end of last season but I don’t remember Shea being there.

      • For some reason, I think you’re right, but I’ll be damned if I can find anything on the internet about it.

  3. The USMNT coaching staff will have a lot of difficult choices to make when selecting the 30 to call into camp. Do they go with who’s hot at the moment, or do they continue with what they’ve been going with? Looking forward to seeing who is called into the camp….and hoping for a strong performance at the cup.

    Reply
  4. Nice to see Boyd and Agudelo ending the season on highs. I think it’s a little too late for Agudelo to make the camp. Though I prefer him over Wondo for one of the 30, I think Klinsi likes Wondo too much.

    Jozy had a pretty forgettable game and Wickham’s form only highlights Jozy’s weaknesses: mentality, constant effort, and creating his own opportunities.

    I heard Brooks had a poor game. Anyone know how Chandler did?

    Was Aron out due to injury? That’s what I heard on Twitter.

    Excited that Zelalem is getting US citizenship and that rumors say he’s picking us.

    All in all, a solid week for the boys.

    Reply
    • Not sure how well Chandler played, but he went 90. That’s a good sign since he was limited to 45 last week.

      Reply
      • Biff just telephoned me. He said his computer isn’t working, but I think he didn’t pay his bill and they shut him off, but anyway, Biff told me Chandler played really really bad. I asked how did he know that when his computer isn’t working but he hung up on me.

        So, Biff said Chandler stunk today.

      • I’ve been commenting as Wispy and only Wispy since before Ives went out on his own. So it’s not me.

      • Sounds about right. Ex just telephoned and is still sobbing uncontrollably five weeks later, said The Zimmer is a meanie and that he lost control that weekend because he forgot to put on his tin-foil hat. Then started mumbling about sockatoos. Didn’t make much sense. Said being a fanboy is difficult then sniffled and blew his nose real loud and hung up.

    • I watched Chandler for a little over a half. He was alright from what I saw. Had one nice chip pass to play a striker in but also got caught out a position a couple times. Nothing great, nothing too awful, just pretty average.

      I believe Johannsson has an ankle knock from what I read. His form has kind of fallen off the last couple months, I wonder if it’s something he’s been dealing with.

      Reply
      • I think Timmy Chandler got a yellow card and will miss the final game of the season due to accumulation….
        I can’t quite understand the German paper’s write up…
        Can anyone confirm?

      • Yeah that was a pretty bad challenge actually and was lucky to just get a yellow. Pretty reckless, studs up about knee height.

      • Ouch… did you hear if they said he’s suspended for next week? If so that’s too bad, woulda been nice to get another game in

      • Thanks John!

        I agree about Aron’s form. Maybe his body isn’t used to playing so many games in a single season.

      • “He just has problems with his ankle for a while,” AZ press officer Daan Schippers

        Sounds like he’s been playing through it.

      • He lost 75% of the balls given to him and had a very heavy touch; he came in as a sub and never sprinted to force the defense into a mistake. Yes, forgettable.

      • Right, like that fantastic ball into Giac that he sent off the post? Easily should have been a goal. Jozy played exactly the role he should have in the situation. Sunderland is not a good team – he’s not going to look like a world class forward out there when the entire team is struggling.

      • 1. One nice ball that was an on-the-ground cross into the box – not some ESPN morning highlight – does not make a good performance. He was brought on for two reasons: to sprint his butt off and hold up the ball. He didn’t do the first, and barely did the second. He tries too hard to do flicks when actually trying to trap the ball and wait for his team to get open would be far smarter.

        2. Sunderland was poor midseason. Sunderland today have just beaten United away, Chelsea away (the first team to do so against Jose), tied City, and crushed Cardiff 4-0. What do those wins have in common? They started a striker who’s willing to leave it all on the pitch and who takes his chances. Having a striker who actually scores isn’t going to fix all of Sunderland’s problems, but it sure goes to show that everyone giving Jozy excuses week-in-and-out were turning a blind eye.

      • Give credit where credit is due. it was a good cross (hit with pace to a dangerous area of the field) which should have been converted. You make yourself look like you have an axe to grind when you just harp on the negatives.

        So you think the team’s improvement in form is all due to switching strikers? You do know that prior to this streak, Wickham had not scored since 2011. Its why they sent him on loan in the first place. If he is so clearly superior to Altidore in skills, how did that happen?

        Giaccharini is seeing more of the field, and Larsson’s performances have improved. It looks like Gus has a better understanding of his team’s strengths and weaknesses and is making better use of his talent.

      • It’s a shame that managers keep trying to play Jozy in a holdup role when that’s not his game.

      • This is my only judge of performance as well. I don’t even watch soccer anymore, only scorelines. Nuance, creating opportunities, defending, teamwork, holding the ball up? That’s all sissy talk for “didn’t score”

      • I watched his performance and I saw the same thing I’ve seen for most of the season. Not enough movement, not enough chasing, inconsistent hold up play, and “close-but-no-cigar” around the goal. A good touch here or there, or one dangerous pass, isn’t what constitutes a good game from a professional, let alone an international player.

        The sad part is that after seeing him riding the pine for weeks, his minuscule contribution actually did look like “he played pretty well’.

        If that is what passes for a good performance, he will not sniff the goal for a long time. The USA fan who has been waiting weeks to see Jozy on the pitch might be satisfied with it, but if I were his coach I wouldn’t be, and certainly not if I were the player himself.

      • I thought Jozy did exactly what he was supposed to and he set up a shot that came off the post. Overall, I thought he was good.

      • He did play well, but to think he plays no part in the teams failure is at the other end of the spectrum. Im saying you think that, but a lot of people think Sunderland has been terrible and that is why Jozy has been terrible. The reality is he contributed to the failure of the team by not finishing his chances, losing the ball, whining on the field, which all contributed to his team losing faith in him. But, Sunderland also played horrible football at the beginning of the season under the old coach.

      • i dont even know what this means…of course his poor play contributed to he teams poor play. But so did evryone elses. Its a team game. They did not create enough chances as a team (compare team shots and assists with each of the top 5 teams and you have your answer). its not like poyet is using the exact same tactics he used in the Tottenham 5-1 loss, but for Wickham. Its either naive or disingenous to even take that simplistic position.

      • If the negative hyperbole is incessant, perhaps there is a valid reason for that. If Jozy’s performances had positive things to report, perhaps the negative reviews would stop.

    • You sure you watched that game? Jozy had a solid 25 minutes. Good hold up play, he won almost every header, and he *should* have notched an assist from a great ball from the corner.

      Reply

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