By TRAVIS CLARK
Even though it was just a Tuesday, there was plenty of action to go around in Europe today, with Cup competitions calling American players into action. Tim Howard and Brad Guzan were both starters today as the Carling Cup resumed in England.
Backup U.S. and Aston Villa keeper Brad Guzan got a rare chance to start in their Carling Cup match against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Guzan took his chance well, helping keep Sunderland at bay. Unfortunately, his club couldn't score either, and after 120 minutes the two sides headed to penalty kicks. Guzan eventually emerged as the hero, saving three Sunderland PKs as Villa moved on to the quarterfinals.
Things didn't go as well for Tim Howard and Everton, as the goals kept flying into Howard's net. After getting hit for three against Bolton on the weekend, the maligned defense of Everton continued to struggle Tuesday, losing to Tottenham 2-0 at White Hart Lane. Howard kept his side in it, saving a Robbie Keane penalty in the 57th minute, though Keane scored after the save, and Everton were knocked out.
A complete rundown of Americans in action on Tuesday is after the jump.
England
CARLING CUP
- Brad Guzan started and played 120 minutes and made eight saves, including a penalty, in Aston Villa's 0-0 draw (won by Villa on PKs) against Sunderland.
- Brad Friedel dressed but did not play in Aston Villa's 0-0 draw (won by Villa on PKs) against Sunderland.
- Tim Howard started, played 90 minutes and made seven saves, including a penalty, in Everton's 2-0 loss vs. Tottenham.
LEAGUE ONE
- Mike Grella did not dress for Leeds in their 4-0 win against Bristol Rovers
Scottish Cup
- Maurice Edu did not dress in Rangers' 3-1 win vs. Dundee United. He is recovering from a knee injury.
- DaMarcus Beasley started and played 75 minutes in Rangers' 3-1 win vs. Dundee United.
Portugal
- Kamani Hill did not dress in Vitoria de Guimaraes' 1-1 draw vs. Sporting Lisbon.
LEAGUE CUP
- Freddy Adu dressed but did not play for Belenenses in their 1-1 draw vs. Gil Vicente.
——-
What did you think of the Americans in action today? Will Guzan get more looks from O'Neill? Is Tim Howard at fault for all these goals? Anything else missed?
Share your thoughts below.
I’m on there too, team ID = 228667
Let me guess, you became a national team fan what, last year?
Well, I don’t think anybody’s moving right into the US MNT starting 11 but also, they WERE leading 2-1 when he came out of the game and his pass DID lead to the own goal. If he was absolutely awful, I don’t think he plays 75 minutes, right? That just sounds like a “lack of match fitness” substitution to me.
Well said on all points, Supsam.
Duka? Really?
“It was so cruel on Dundee. Scott threw on Pat Clarke and Colin McMenamin with both Higgins and star man Griffiths leaving the field.
Gers made a change as Stevie Naismith came on for the hopeless Beasley.
This was the American’s first appearance of the season, I’d bank on it being his last.”
From the Scottish Sun, it’s really painful to watch such a talented player fall off like Beasley.
before calling everyone idiots, why dont you try to think before typing such filth.
Who else is best suited as a left winger (assuming Dempsey and Donovan have other roles)? Rogers has potential but has not accomplished anything unlike Beasley who has.
In form Beasley over Rogers anyday until Rogers proves me wrong
Also, its strange to see him still on Rangers and not hurt.
-Rangers fan.
Rangers played Dundee FC not Dundee United. Dundee FC are from the Scottish First Division (one division below the SPL.)
I’ve read that Beasley did not play very well. I’m not getting my hopes up.
——————–Altidore—————–
Duka————-Dempsey———–Donovan
————-Bradley——-Clark————-
Bornstein—-Bocanegra—-Marshall—-Spector
———————Howard——————
Rebecca, no u didn’t…hahaa
Nice Ives. Same here. My team number is 8072. I think I have a friendly this week, but hit me up for one next week.
let’s take a step back before putting beas right back into the starting 11. he got one start in one cup game; good first step, but he’ll need to show a lot more. that being said the skill is still out there somewhere, as is the pace. if he gets back into form, he’s deserves another shot
anyone got highlights?
Rangers played Dundee, not Dundee United.
that would be from all the stress from the shaky back line of the U.S.
[clap clap]
I know!! and somehow Pat Onstad still has a full head of hair. He is older than flippen Methuselah! Flippen Canadians and their hair.
My fault thanks, Peace out…
The balder, the better, that’s my motto.
Y’all are idiots: even when he’s “in form” Beasley is not good enough to play for our National Team.
WHY ARE ALL AMERICAN GOALIES BALD OR BALDING!!!!!! IVES INVESTIGATE!!!!
I’m pleasantly aghast to see DaMarcus in some blogger’s starting eleven. He’s a good good man, I would love to win with him again.
Sorry, its off topic, but does anyone know where i can find the Costa Rica roster when they played us at home, i wanna see if i can find them in FIFA10, cuz i’m a lil dissapointed they didnt put in Honduras and Costa Rica, in the North American version of the game……..it doesnt make sense?
Ives,
I love the Hattrick banner! I’ve been playing for more than 3 years, and am a huge fan. It’s a great way for soccer fans to interact and compete.
Experience
This would be awesome( assuming everyone is in form)
——————–Altidore—————–
Beasley————-Dempsey———–Donovan
————-Bradley——-Clark————-
Bornstein—-Bocanegra—-Marshall—-Spector
———————Howard——————
just about to say the same thing. it will give options to move Donovan into a forward role possibly or at least a spark off the bench.
Guzan has been good when called upon, and has risen to above what we thought was capable of him. He’s done well in Villa and he did spectacularly well against Egypt. I have more confidence in him now then when we played El Salvador all those months ago.
Excited for Guzan… It’s unfortunate for him that he plays behind two great American ‘keeps. I can’t wait for the day he comes out into his own.
what better scenario for a young american GK?
Great news on Beasley. I hate Lalas but he made a great point…if Beasley regains his form it will allow Donovan to take over Davies spot up top..or possibly move dempsey up top and donovan at RM.
This could be an audition for Beasley to move to another club. I wish he’d just move back to Holland. Maybe hook up with Earnie Stewart at NAC Breda or soemthing.
The Boy Wayne Voice: Dats brilliant dat is!
The Peace Cup? Held in Spain.
4-0, to a side that plays in the league with their youth team.
oh em gee. did i read this right? Damarcus beasley started and played 45 minutes? wow… but whos dundee united????
Guzan is become a PK stopping legend. He won them a game in the preseason in a tournament in the Middle East in a shoot out by stopping two PK’s I believe.
I assume he will continue to get starts in the Carling Cup. I believe Friedel signed a 3 year deal when he transferred last year so Guzan probably has another year on the bench before he gets regular action.
Atta Beez. I hope he gets back in form. We need a speed option for the flank and he’s the man, once he gets himself together of course.
Yikes….what was the score?
I’m just shaking my head Real Madrid lost to 3rd division team in the the Copay del Rey, Alcorcon,
which this competition we take seriously in Spain. Thank God there’s a second leg in Madrid.
amazing how Guzan was with his first year w/Chivas USA compared to now.
Guzan looks like Friedel Jr.
Guzan actually stopped a total of four PKs–one near the end of the game and three during the shootout. He made some great saves, I’ve read, during the run of play, too.
Sporting Fingal GK Chris Konopka from NJ
Sporting Fingal 4-2 Bray Wanderers. Sporting Fingal accounted for Bray Wanderers in style to reach their first ever Ford Cup final on 22 November at Tallaght Stadium against Sligo Rovers.
He’s always been pretty good at kicking the ball into opposing players, good to hear it went in for a goal this time.
haha
who is this Beasley guy, sounds good, call him up for the Nats
glad to see Beasley on the pitch even for just a Scottish Cup match, gotta win the coach’s confidence back some way, he was such a good player not that long ago, is adu still hurt or did he play today? I know his team tied a 2nd division team 1-1, great to see Guzan playing well, how long till he gets the nod over Friedel, gotta hope it happens next year
A Beasley cross led to the 2nd goal, an own goal by Dundee.
Theres a typo Ives…DaMarcus Beasley started and played 75 minutes in Rangers’ 3-1 win vs. Dundee United.
haha
Adu?