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Americans Abroad: Wednesday Rewind

It took a while, but Freddy Adu finally made his first start for AS Monaco. The U.S. Olympic midfielder made the starting XI in Monaco’s French Cup match against Paris St. Germain. It could be Adu’s last start for a while after a goal from one-time Chicago Fire target Fabrice Pancrate gave PSG the win, thus ending Adu’s potential source for major playing time.

It was a day of first for young Americans in Europe as Brad Guzan also made his first start, replacing Brad Friedel in net for Aston Villa’s Carling Cup clash vs. Queens Park Rangers. Guzan made some saves, but couldn’t keep Villa from dropping a 1-0 decision to QPR.

As for Jozy Altidore? He didn’t make the bench for Villarreal’s 2-0 win against Racing de Santander. Maurice Edu did make the Rangers bench, but didn’t get off it. DaMarcus Beasley did, playing 48 minutes of regulation and overtime.

Here is how Americans did in the rest of Wednesday’s European action:

ENGLAND (Carling Cup)

  • Brad Guzan started, played 90 minutes and made four saves in Aston Villa’s 1-0 loss to Queens Park Rangers
  • Brad Friedel dressed but did not play for Aston Villa.
  • Tim Howard started, played 90 minutes and made five saves in Everton’s 1-0 loss to Blackburn.

SCOTLAND (Scottish Cup)

  • DaMarcus Beasley came off the bench and played 48 minutes in Rangers’ 2-1 win vs. Partick.
  • Maurice Edu dressed but did not play for Rangers.

SPAIN

  • Jozy Altidore did not dress in Villarreal’s 2-0 win vs. Racing de Santander.

GERMANY (DFB Pokal)

  • Neven Subotic started and played 90 minutes in Borussia Dortmund’s 2-1 win vs. Hertha Berlin.
  • Brian Arguez did not dress for Hertha Berlin.

FRANCE (Coupe de La Ligue)

  • Freddy Adu started and played 69 minutes in Monaco’s 1-0 loss to Paris St. Germain.
  • Carlos Bocanegra did not dress in Rennes’ 2-2 penalty shootout win vs. Le Mans
  • Andrew Jacobson did not dress in Lorient’s 3-0 loss to Lens.

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What do you think of these performances (and absences)? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Raghu, I wrote it was Adu’s potential source of major playing time. he has yet to break 20 minutes in a game in league action and gets a start in the French Cup, so therefore Monaco being eliminated probably eliminates his best chance to get starts (at least for now). Not sure why that wasn’t clear.

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  2. I have to say that I am surprised Altidore doesn’t make the bench after he had such a great showing a couple of weeks ago.

    Also, hopefully Adu gets some playing time, and this loan to Monaco doesn’t end up turning into a Deja vu like at Benfica.

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  3. Rossi was named to the early squad list of 19 for the first time this season, but didn’t make the final list of 18. I am definitely surprised to see Nihat back so early.

    La Copa del Rey starts Oct 29th for Villarreal.

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  4. Tom – a stream for the Villa game was downright impossible to find, but I listened to Villa radio, and the two guys doing that broadcast were very complimentary of him all game long.

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  5. I feel Altidore offers alot more than Guille Franco, who never seems to score goals anyway. Nihat is a classy striker, but is not young, so our man in Spain should eventually see time. However, I’m really starting to wonder how American players are fairing so poorly. Compare this to the hat trick Carlos Vela scored recently.

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  6. Freddy’s first start with Monaco went well. I’d rate it a 3 on a 5 scale. He took there first free kick and did well with it despite not scoring. The first half of the match he played more of a high striker role and had some moments but the PSG defense did well.

    The second half his role changed and he was used to help create more and run off of whatever he could create. It wasn’t an issue of Monaco playing the long ball, they didn’t and don’t on a regular basis. He had his moments in the second half but the bottomline was that this match differed only in the result when compared to their first match in which Monaco won. PSG and Monaco are an even match, so the result could go either way. FYI, the hype for Adu – the American was all that. He’s in the right league and with the right team. Monaco has a few players his age and if he stays it would only make him better. I’m a PSG fan and Freddy’s in the right place to continue with his development. He was unlucky to not have scored on us in the first half.

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  7. Since the list wont be nearly as long as the end of week one, why not do a combined American and CONCACAF midweek post every week after European and domestic cup games? Carlos Vela scored a hat trick for Arsenal. I think that’s pretty newsworthy and relevant.

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  8. not on topic but Montreal is doing quite well against Atlante, its nil-nil but Montreal has had quite a few good chances and has take a bit of the bit away from Atlante. Atlantes prob had possession but hasnt had the chances. Got i hate Montreal.

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  9. Andrew Jacobson did not dress in Lorient’s 3-0 loss to Lens.

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    Jacobson is with the US Futsal team so could not dress… of course, if he’d been dressing regularly, maybe he wouldn’t be with the Futsal team.

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  10. Freddy didn’t play 90 minutes. He was subbed out in the 70th. He played OK. He was playing as forward. Monaco tried to play way too many long balls which obviously isnt the service Freddy needs. He tried to drop back to collect the ball several times but never looked all that comfortable. He did squander a golrious chance inside the six yard box in the 15th minute. Overall though I’d wouldn’t say it was a bad showing but it wasn’t that great either but I do blame that on him playing in not a natural position and getting poor service.

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