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Americans Abroad: Weekend Rewind

Brad Guzan of Aston Villa

Photo by ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

Brad Guzan could not have asked for a much better season opener.

Kicking off the new Premiership campaign with a road test against Stoke City, Guzan posted a cleansheet en route to helping Aston Villa pick up a 1-0 victory on Saturday. The veteran goalkeeper made two saves in the match that saw Geoff Cameron surprisingly omitted from Stoke City’s game-day roster, and the Villans are now one of seven sides to have earned all three points on opening weekend in England’s top division.

Tim Howard and Jozy Altidore were not as fortunate. Both Howard and Altidore saw their respective clubs settle for 2-2 draws on Saturday, but the manner in which they came was entirely different. Howard and Everton frustratingly conceded a late goal to Leicester City to split the points at King Power Stadium while Altidore and Sunderland avoided defeat thanks to an 85th-minute equalizer from Sebastian Larsson. Howard started, went the distance and made one save for the Toffees, and Altidore came off the bench and played nine minutes for the Black Cats.

The search for the first win of the new campaign might go on for those two clubs, but it ended on Friday for Club Tijuana and Joe Corona played a part in making that happen. Corona was given the nod in the 2-1 triumph against Chiapas, and the 24-year-old midfielder played the entire 90 minutes to help Xolos snap their four-game winless start to the Liga MX Apertura season.

Another youngster who grabbed headlines was Under-20 U.S. Men’s National Team forward Rubio Rubin. The 18-year-old Rubin made his professional debut with Utrecht on Saturday, turning in a 90-minute shift that saw him credited with an assist in a 2-1 win over Willem II.

Here is how the Americans Abroad fared this weekend:

ENGLAND

Premiership

  • Tim Howard started, played 90 minutes and made on save in Everton’s 2-2 draw vs. Leicester City on Saturday.
  • Jozy Altidore came off the bench and played nine minutes in Sunderland’s 2-2 draw vs. West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
  • Brad Guzan started, played 90 minutes and made two saves in Aston Villa’s 1-0 win vs. Stoke City on Saturday.
  • Brad Friedel dressed but did not play in Tottenham Hotspur’s 1-0 win vs. West Ham United on Saturday.
  • Geoff Cameron did not dress in Stoke City’s 1-0 loss vs. Aston Villa on Saturday.
  • Brek Shea did not dress for Stoke City.

Championship

  • Jonathan Spector started and played 90 minutes in Birmingham City’s 1-0 win vs. Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
  • Will Packwood did not dress for Birmingham City.
  • Tim Ream started and played 90 minutes in Bolton Wanderers’ 2-2 draw vs. Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
  • Eric Lichaj came off the bench and played four minutes in Nottingham Forest’s 2-2 draw vs. Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.
  • Danny Williams did not dress in Reading’s 1-0 win vs. Ipswich Town on Saturday. He is recovering from a knee injury.
  • Duane Holmes did not dress in Huddersfield Town’s 3-1 loss vs. Cardiff City on Saturday.
  • Emerson Hyndman started and played 90 minutes in Fulham’s 1-0 loss vs. Millwall on Saturday.
  • Zak Whitbread dressed but did not play in Derby County’s 0-0 draw vs. Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

GERMANY

Bundesliga

  • Fabian Johnson dressed but did not play in Borussia Moenchengladbach’s 3-1 win vs. FC 08 Homburg in DFB Pokal on Saturday.
  • John Brooks dressed but did not play in Hertha Berlin’s 4-2 win vs. Viktoria Koln in DFB Pokal on Saturday.
  • Timmy Chandler dressed but did not play in Eintracht Franfkurt’s 2-0 win vs. Viktoria Berlin in DFB Pokal on Saturday.
  • David Yelldell did not dress in Bayer Leverkusen’s 6-0 win vs. SV Alemannia Waldalgesheim in DFB Pokal on Friday.
  • Julian Green did not dress in Bayern Munich’s 4-1 win vs. Preussen Munster in DFB Pokal on Sunday.

2. Bundesliga

  • Alfredo Morales and FC Ingolstadt 04 play OFC Kickers 1902 in DFB Pokal on Monday.
  • Terrence Boyd did not dress in RB Leipzig’s 2-1 win vs. SC Paderborn 07 on Sunday. He is recovering from a knee injury.
  • Bobby Wood started and played 84 minutes in TSV 1860 Munich’s 2-1 win vs. Holsten Kiel in DFB Pokal on Sunday.
  • Andrew Wooten did not dress in SV Sandhausen’s 4-1 loss vs. Arminia Bielefeld in DFB Pokal on Sunday.

FRANCE

  • Alejandro Bedoya came off the bench and played 18 minutes in FC Nantes’ 1-1 draw vs. Metz on Saturday.

NETHERLANDS

  • Aron Johannsson did not dress in AZ Alkmaar’s 3-1 loss vs. Ajax on Sunday. He is recovering from an ankle injury.
  • Rubio Rubin started, played 90 minutes and had an ASSIST in FC Utrecht’s 2-1 win vs. Willem II on Saturday.

BELGIUM

  • Sacha Kljestan came off the bench and played 12 minutes in RSC Anderlecht’s 2-2 draw vs. KVC Westerlo on Sunday.

AUSTRIA

  • Conor O’Brien did not dress in FC Magna Wiener Neustadt’s 3-0 loss vs. SV Grodig on Saturday.

NORWAY

  • Mix Diskerud started and played 79 minutes in Rosenborg BK’s 3-1 loss vs. Brann on Sunday.
  • Andrew Jacobson started and played 90 minutes in Stabaek IF’s 3-1 loss vs. Odd on Sunday.
  • Michael Stephens started and played 87 minutes for Stabaek IF.
  • Ethan Horvath did not dress in Molde FK’s 2-0 win vs. Sarpsborg 08 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 1-1 draw vs. Sandnes Ulf on Sunday. He is recovering from an Achilles injury.

SERBIA

  • Freddy Adu did not play in FK Jagodina’s 3-0 loss vs. Crvena Zvezda on Saturday.

MEXICO

  • Michael Orozco did not dress in Puebla’s 1-1 draw vs. Tigres UANL on Saturday. He was suspended due to the red card he received last week.
  • Edgar Castillo started, played 90 minutes and drew the game-winning penalty kick in Atlas’ 1-0 win vs. Club Universidad de Guadalajara on Saturday.
  • Jose Torres started and played 62 minutes in Tigres UANL’s 1-1 draw vs. Puebla on Saturday.
  • Herculez Gomez came off the bench and played eight minutes for Tigres UANL.
  • Ventura Alvarado did not dress in Club America’s 3-2 win vs. Morelia on Saturday.
  • Jonathan Bornstein did not dress in Queretaro’s 0-0 draw vs. Veracruz on Friday.
  • Joe Corona started and played 90 minutes in Club Tijuana’s 2-1 win vs. Jaguares de Chiapas on Friday.
  • Alejandro Guido dressed but did not play for Club Tijuana.
  • Greg Garza did not dress for Club Tijuana. He is recovering from a nose injury.
  • Paul Arriola did not dress for Club Tijuana.
  • Amando Moreno did not dress for Club Tijuana.
  • Joaquin Alonso Hernandez dressed but did not play in Monterrey’s 3-1 win vs. Cruz Azul on Saturday.
  • Gabriel Farfan did not dress in Jaguares de Chiapas’ 2-1 loss vs. Club Tijuana on Friday.

—–

What do you think of these performances? How do you see Guzan and the Villans faring this season? Impressed with Corona’s outing? Think Rubin is in store for a big season?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

    • According to his twitter and instagram he had a hamstring and is recovering. Not really supriseing since this is the closest to sustained play or traing he has had since being at blackpool. So next couple of weeks should make his debut.

      Reply
  1. it’s a bummer to read these, basically it’s 9-4-5-8-21
    90 min/started but subbed off/came on as sub/dressed DNP/did not dress

    so 18 saw the field and 29 did not- and these aren’t top four league champions league caliber clubs we’re talking about here- the mean is somewhere near Bundesling 2

    Reply
    • I did, and it’s true, he quite literally did everything but score (which he should have if it weren’t for a reflex save on a shot of his from inside the six yard box). I was thinking that if it weren’t for his former coach benching him last season, he most likely would have gone to the WC because his creativity and ability on the ball were fantastic. To be honest I would much rather see more of Corona than Diskerud in the coming years.

      Reply
  2. What a boneyard. Any of these guys we might be able to pass off as U-13’s? A short term loan to a Little League side would at least see them benefit from some mandatory playing time in every game, which would keep the wind in their self-esteem provided they don’t get struck out by that girl.

    Heck who wouldn’t wanna turn 12 again? (Well maybe Freddy Adu… but as far as I’m concerned he can keep doing it over and over until he does it right)

    Reply
  3. With teenagers Hyndman and Rubin getting first team minutes abroad, it makes me wonder who the next teenager to get minutes this season will be? My money is on Lynden Gooch for Sunderland. Gooch could definitely provide some offensive spark for Sunderland in cup competitions. Green may see time not until towards the end of the Bundesliga campaign for Bayern.

    Reply
      • My comment with a link attached is under moderation. So if it gets banned just type his name into Google and read the first article from American Soccer Now.

  4. I watched the last thirty minutes of the Fulham game and Hyndman didn’t miss a single pass. There’s no question he’ll be in the USMNT mix soon. Pure quality.

    Reply
    • He was moved deeper later in the game and Parker was put in a more advanced position because he can handle the pressure (and hacking) that Hyndman cannot. He didn’t miss a single pass because he had no pressure. He definitely has the vision and can thread a pass but he’s not a part of the US senior team anytime soon imo. U20s and U23s yes.

      Reply
  5. Good:

    Hydman not only seeing time but earning great reviews from European journos too not just fans.
    Wood is still starting. I thought he’d be big before his injury. I’m glad to see he’s bouncing back.
    Rubin: We might see him in September because of our lack of offensive threat.

    Bad:

    Packwood. Went on a u-USMNT trip and hasn’t dressed since. Went from a starter to what?
    Green. That Bayern bench was young. Him not making it shows he’s further down the bench than we want to believe.
    Cameron: It seems like he’s moving but I hate to see him go from a stable job to a riskier one.

    Reply
    • Re Green: I think it has more to do with him not being fit than anything. The only reason he played in the MLS All-star game was because it was in the U.S. it was publicity. He was coming off an injury and post-WC vacay. If he isn’t making the bench by January, then you can make that claim.

      Reply
  6. Hyndman had an underwhelming but decent first half but was moved deeper in the second half in a Andrea Pirlo like role, pulling the strings and dictating play from in front of the center backs. The kid is a natural and is as composed as a seasoned pro. Honestly it has been only two games but if he survives a season in the Championship he may end up in consideration for the Gold Cup.

    Reply
    • New/returning but still new:

      Because it’ll mostly be European players I would bet:

      Green, Hyndman, Wood, Gyau, Rubin, Packwood, Agudelo (to show him off if he needs a new team), , maybe Gooch for that same reason, and Ream. Maybe Lichaj for defensive support since we are low. Maybe one of the Parker bros.

      Reply
      • Is this for the game against the Czech Republic? Not one of those except Green and maybe Agudelo and Ream are anywhere near being called in. Playing for reserve/youth teams is not and should never be enough to get you in the USMNT.

      • With the exception of Gyau (who has played in the Bundesliga) the others all play or have recently played for their first team. Klinsi said he’s going for youth and European-based to fill up most of his ranks. I’m making the logical leap. Will all these be asked to attend a camp? No. But I bet 3/4s will.

        Wood, Gyau, and Packwood have all been in USMNT camps within the last year or two.

    • Yeah. He’s going nowhere fast. He is waiting to be purchased by a manager at a club like Hull or West Brom who won’t survive the season (not that Hughes will).

      England is a waste of our players’ time. Show me a non-GK who has benefitted from going to this dysfunctional league and I will show you 20 who deeply regret it.

      Reply
    • I assume Cameron is leaving. It was rumored during the summer. It’s a pity because he was finding a ton of time.

      I’m not sure about Packwood. That one is weird. He was a starter last season. He should at least see the bench.

      Reply
  7. I miss Dempsey and Bradley being abroad. It’s real quiet without them. All season this is what

    will be discussed here

    1) how Jozy came so close to scoring in his 14 minutes each game but to no avail
    2) Another cleansheet for Howard and Guzan. Further illustrating US dominance at that position
    3) (Insert name of young American) doing well for his club in the 2nd/3rd division

    in an alternate universe Bradley and Dempsey are starters for their clubs and Bradley is getting ready for the CL and Dempsey discusses how he does his best to keep his starting spot at Spurs

    Reply
    • Having Johannsson and Boyd out right now certainly limits the scoring opportunities to discuss. Get them healthy & Agudelo on a club and we’ll have more to discuss.

      Reply
      • You could potentially add 4 dual national players on to the list if they switch to the US

        Zelalam
        Shawn Parker
        Devante Parker
        Jeremy Toljan

      • Is Zelalam eligible for the US yet? That is, did his father get US citizenship yet? if he does not get it before Gedion turns 18, it is a whole lot less likely that he could play for the US.

    • You miss reading about Bradley and Dempsey? Me too… participating in my own success terrifies me. I like to hang out in trees with binoculars.

      Reply

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