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.