By FRANCO PANIZO
It was a topsy-turvy weekend for the Americans Abroad contingent as some players enjoyed individual or team success while others had games they would like to forget.
Maurice Edu and DaMarcus Beasley added to their Scottish League Cup championship as Rangers secured its second consecutive Scottish League title with a 1-0 win over Hibernian. Edu started and played 90 minutes in the victory while DaMarcus Beasley did not dress.
This weekend wasn't so kind to Jozy Altidore. The American international started for Hull City in its vital match against Sunderland, but he was red carded just before halftime for head-butting an opponent. To make matters worse, Hull City is all but doomed for relegation after the 1-0 defeat as the club needs to win both its remaining games and make up a goal differential of 23.
Here is how the Americans Abroad performed this weekend:
England
PREMIERSHIP
- Tim Howard started, played 90 minutes and made two saves in Everton's 2-1 win vs. Fulham on Sunday.
- Jozy Altidore started, played 45 minutes and received a red card for a head butt in Hull City 's 1-0 loss vs. Sunderland on Saturday.
- Clint Dempsey started and played 90 minutes in Fulham's 2-1 loss vs. Everton on Sunday.
- Jonathan Spector started, played 90 minutes, received a yellow card and scored an own goal in West Ham United's 3-2 win vs. Wigan on Saturday.
- Brad Friedel started, played 90 minutes and made seven saves in Aston Villa's 1-0 win vs. Birmingham on Sunday.
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Brad Guzan dressed but did not play in Aston Villa's 1-0 win vs. Birmingham on Sunday.
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Marcus Hahnemann started, played 90 minutes and made six saves in Wolverhampton Wanderers' 1-1 draw vs. Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
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Stuart Holden did not dress in Bolton Wanderers' 2-2 draw vs. Portsmouth on Saturday. He is recovering from a leg injury.
COCA COLA CHAMPIONSHIP
- Jay DeMerit did not dress in Watford's 3-0 win vs. Reading on Saturday. He is recovering from a stomache injury.
- Frank Simek did not dress in Sheffield Wednesday's 3-2 loss vs. Cardiff City on Saturday.
- Kenny Cooper did not dress in Plymouth Argyle's 3-0 loss vs. Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
LEAGUE ONE
- Eric Lichaj started and played 90 minutes in Leyton Orient's 2-1 loss vs. Millwall on Saturday.
- Jemal Johnson started and played 69 minutes in Stockport County's 6-0 loss vs. Huddersfield Town on Saturday.
- Jon-Paul Pittman started and played 55 minutes in Wycombe Wanderers' 2-2 draw vs. Swindon Town on Saturday.
- Mike Grella dressed but did not play in Leeds United's 4-1 win vs. Milton Keynes Dons on Saturday.
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Zak Whitbread did not dress in Norwich City's 2-0 win vs. Gillingham on Saturday.
Scotland
- Maurice Edu started and played 90 minutes in Rangers' 1-0 win vs. Hibernian on Sunday. Rangers clinched the Scottish league title with the win.
- DaMarcus Beasley did not dress in Rangers' 1-0 win vs. Hibernian on Sunday. Rangers clinched the Scottish League title with the win.
- Dominic Cervi did not dress in Celtic's 2-0 win vs. Dundee United on Sunday.
Italy
- Oguchi Onyewu did not dress in AC Milan's 3-1 loss vs. Palermo on Saturday.
Germany
BUNDESLIGA
- Michael Bradley started and played 90 minutes in Borussia Moenchengladbach's 1-1 draw vs. Bayern Munich on Saturday.
- Steve Cherundolo started and played 85 minutes in Hannover 96's 3-0 loss vs. Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.
- Sal Zizzo did not dress in Hannover 96's 3-0 loss vs. Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday. He is recovering from a knee injury.
- Jermaine Jones did not dress in Schalke 04's 1-0 win vs. Hertha Berlin on Saturday. He is recovering from a leg injury.
- Ricardo Clark started and played 90 minutes in Eintracht Frankfurt's 3-3 draw vs. Mainz 05 on Saturday.
- Daniel Williams did not dress in SC Freiburg's 1-0 win vs. VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday.
- Jared Jeffrey did not dress in Mainz 05's 3-3 draw vs. Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.
BUNDESLIGA 2
- Luis Robles dressed but did not play in Kaiserslautern's 1-0 loss vs. Hansa Rostock on Friday.
- Matt Taylor did not dress in FSV Frankfurt's 1-1 draw vs. FC Augsburg on Sunday.
- David Yeldell did not dress in TUS Koblenz's 6-1 loss vs. St Pauli on Friday. He is recovering from an ankle injury.
France
- Carlos Bocanegra started and played 90 minutes in Stade Rennes' 1-1 draw vs. Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday.
- Charlie Davies did not dress in Sochaux's 3-0 loss vs. Boulogne on Saturday.
Portugal
- Gale Agbossoumonde did not dress in Sporting Braga's 4-0 win vs. Naval 1 Maio on Sunday.
Greece
- Freddy Adu came off the bench and played 7 minutes in Aris Salonika's 1-0 loss vs. Panathinaikos in the Greek Cup final on Saturday.
- Eddie Johnson dressed but did not play in Aris Salonika's 1-0 loss vs. Panathinaikos in the Greek Cup final on Saturday.
Denmark
- Benny Feilhaber started, played 90 minutes and received a yellow card in AGF Aarhus' 3-0 loss vs. Koge on Sunday.
- Michael Parkhurst started and played 90 minutes in FC Nordsjaelland's 3-1 win vs. Sonderjyske on Sunday.
- Marcus Tracy did not dress in Aalborg BK's 2-0 loss vs. FC Copenhagen on Sunday. He is recovering from a knee injury.
- Chris Rolfe started and played 45 minutes in Aalborg BK's 2-0 loss vs. FC Copenhagen on Sunday.
Sweden
- Alejandro Bedoya started, played 90 minutes, received a yellow card and took part in the buildup of a goal in Orebro BK's 3-0 win vs. Halmstad on Sunday.
Norway
Norway
- Clarence Goodson started and played 90 minutes in IK Start's 2-0 win vs. Honefoss on Sunday.
- Hunter Freeman started and played 90 minutes in IK Start's 2-0 win vs. Honefoss on Sunday.
- Mikkel Diskerud started and played 90 minutes in Stabaek's 2-0 loss vs. Viking on Saturday.
Mexico
- Jose Francisco Torres came off the bench and played 35 minutes in Pachuca's 2-1 win vs. Tigres UANL on Saturday.
- Edgar Castillo did not dress in Tigres UANL's 2-1 loss vs. Pachuca on Saturday. He is recovering from a knee injury.
- Marco Vidal started and played 90 minutes in Indios de Ciudad Juarez's 2-0 win vs. Pumas UNAM on Sunday.
- Herculez Gomez did not dress in Puebla's 2-1 loss vs. Toluca on Sunday. He was suspended for receiving two yellow cards last week.
Argentina
- Michael Hoyos did not dress in Estudiantes La Plata's 1-0 win vs. River Plate on Saturday.
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What do you think of these performances? Where would you rate Beasley and Edu in terms of success this season? Disappointed/concerned by Altidore's head butt?
Share your thoughts below.
Personally, I always find that it is a difficult thin line to walk between being pessimistic enough to be accurate and not just giving up.
It is clear that we have no proven pure goal-scorers at the international level. There are some guys with promise, but…
At one time, out back line looked very strong, but injuries and aging have made that less clear, however, it is likely as good as the USA has ever had.
The strength of the team, the midfield has not looked all that good compared to the hype. Cohesion in the midfield is important as well as the skill to make insightful passes. If Donavon, Dempsey and Bradley are the starters, who is the 4th and if Dempsey plays up top, who are the 3rd and 4th?
This team has more uncertainty in its lineup that the 2002 version did at the same stage, I am hopeful that some young players will step up, like Mastroeni did back then.
Color me very guardedly optimistic that Altidore will continue (even accelerate) his improvement, that Bedoya, Torres, Gomez, Buddle will prove in the upcoming camp that at least a couple belong and that Davies and Onweyu can be fit and in form in time to at least contribute. I hope that some of those guys present Bradley with a pleasant problem, that is, which good player to leave home rather than the choice I fear, which inadequate players to include.
Did you stop watching soccer 3 years ago and just now come back?
Yura Movsisyan just added 2 more goals for Randers today. Too bad about his green card situation. That makes 5 goals in 9 games. Damn….
this is true. and i couldnt agree more about how bob could, with his choices, weaken this team. hopefully he wont. I think it is a little harsh to say Dolo and Spector would hurt the 2010 team. Dolo is still playing, and vice captain, for Hannover 96. there is a reason for that. Spector, sure, he has had a rough few games, but he is still a solid fullback playing for an EPL team (he won’t go if they go down, IMO). Casey and especially Kljestan, are out of the World Cup discussion. Ching, probably him too, but if Bob had his way, Ching would be there.
2002 Roster:
12 MLS players
6 EPL players
2 Bundesliga players
2 Eredivisie players
1 Ligue 1 player
2010 roster (possible):
7 EPL players
1 Championship player
2 Bundesliga players
2 SPL players
2 Ligue 1 players
1 Serie A player
2 Tippeligaen players
1 Danish Superliga player
2 FMF players
3 MLS players
Now, I know that there are some players up in the air, but I feel the final 23 will be something around this. and, on paper, this appears to be the strongest. if Jones was healthy, that is another Bundesliga player. granted, he is a special situation. as well as Williams.
I shoud clarify that I meant hopefully Taylor can emerge as an option for the next WC cycle.
If that’s his big news….big deal…that would be like finding out he bought a new car.
I was not impressed with Tony Taylor in the last U-20 world cup. That being said, it seems like he has really gotten to work and improved himself during his time in Portugal. Hopefully he can keep it going and emerge as an option for the senior squad.
I don’t think it is fair to say that Drogba, Essien and Kalou play for “lesser” countries. The Ivory Coast is a common pick to be at least a semi-finalist, while Ghana did beat us in the last WC(granted on a fairly weak penalty call). Ghana’s U-20 team also won the most recent U-20 WC.
We caught the Pachuca game Saturday evening. Torres looked great. I think he would be a great asset to the MNT.
Clark
And considering Fulham was playing a virtual reserves team out there due to focusing on the Europa League, it was actually nice performance all-around by the team, losing in the dying moments on a penalty that never should have happened (the assistant, looking right at the play, wrongly gave Everton a throw-in on a ball that clearly came off the Everton player — the play where the penalty occurred was in the play off of that throw-in). Demps played well too.
We have about three guys, not counting Davies, who have a chance at returning to form after significant injuries. It would be unrealistic to expect all of them to start in June.
As for Onyewu, I find him to be likeable as an athlete. We’ll see if Milan gives Gooch some time on the pitch,though. I would hate to see BB put him out there just because he’s Gooch. Remember, Gooch had some issues in the last World Cup.
I see your point. I would just note that this side may be good, depending on what the side is. There are still huge question marks at striker and fullback. If BB goes with Bornstein, Dolo, Spector, Ching and Casey (plus Klristian at midfield for good measure) then we are in deep doo doo. Such a team would not be as good as ’02.
exactly!! these tournaments are mostly about the circumstances. In 2002 as well as the Confederations Cup, we found ourselves in the right circumstances and took advantage of what was provided. 06 was an example of the opposite.
but you didnt. Pete said:
“I still think that in the whole, a team that, within roughly a year, scores/leads at Azteca, beats Egypt, Spain, hold a 2-0 lead on Brazil, and draws Argentina, and gives The Dutch all they can handle should be considered the strongest team USA has fielded”
You responded:
“Remember when we trashed Argentina in the Copa America 3-0? Remember when we beat England 2-0? Remember when we completely outplayed Italy and were the only team in the World Cup who Italy did not beat? Remember when we got to the World Cup quarterfinals and outplayed Germany?”
While you did include 2002, you ALSO included, in your counter argument, games from 1993 and 1995.
that’s all I was pointing out.
and dude, please do not call me selective. you quoted games played over a 13 year period to support your argument above. 13 years!!!
As is in most WC finals, the circumstances were just right. We probably could have matched up well and competed with the Brazilians in 2002. In 06, the circumstances were the exact opposite-we struggled just scoring against tougher opposition. i know that this is very arguable, but it probably happened because we (and espn)were all wondering not if, but how many goals we were going to score and who we’d face in the quarters again.
I hate to bring this back up, because I love Kasey and what he has done, but I can still remember how Lalas was talking up the USMT sooooo MUCH and Keller in particular. “The guy is an absolute rock. He’s the best in the world and he will make sure the US does well…”
When we came out and slapped by the Czechs, it was like we were all shocked and amazed that we would actually get scored on. So many casual or first time viewers were probably thinking it was a huge upset or that the US players got sick the day before…
And then Italy…and then Ghana….By the end of the tournament I’m sure that a lot of fans didn’t know whether to laugh or cry–because it was either ridiculous to believe the Lalases of the world or ridiculous that with all the talent coming back from the 2002 coming out party, we could only score one goal ourselves.
If it’s meant to be, we will make some noise this year, if not, its 4 more years scratching our heads and talking about it like we are now. I’m almost mroe confused now than I was 2 years ago, but I am glad that this discussion is takingplace somewhere and I can see others go off on pretty much the same thing. I guess I’m just tired of waiting, I can’t wait to actually see this thing play out.
dude you are completely missing the point! i’m not taking anything away from the 2002 team. what i am saying is that this team has more depth and more players playing in at the highest level than ever before. i only brought up the 2002 team to show that they were close to being eliminated in the first round.
“Talk to me when this current team outplays Germany and Italy.”
well, considering we lost to Germany, i guess we can compare losing to Brasil 3-2 in the Confeds. Cup FINAL. Italy, how about holding Argentina to a 0-0 draw? how about beating Spain (#1 team in the world) 2-0? how about beating Egypt (African champs) 3-0? how about losing to Spain 1-0 IN Spain and really making it tough for them? Must I go on?
Stop acting like I am attacking the 2002 team. it is certainly one of the best US teams to date. But I think, on paper, that the squad leading up to the WC is much stronger. CLEARLY, they still have to prove that. but the point is, coming into it, they appear to be a stronger team.
so why are Matt Taylor and Marco Vidal mentioned? I dont think anyone here thinks they have a chance at this or any other WC.
Must have missed your original crack. I’ll be sure to cite you on future iterations.
Goodson is US National Team player and Freeman is along for that ride. Goff only tracks player with a chance at the WC so at least Ive’s trys to cover everyone.
I just want to know why no one brought up Alexi Lalas? I mean he played in Serie A and even scored a couple goals there!
Also: why can’t we all be cautiously optimistic? This campaign could go either way for us the way I see it, just makes it that much harder to wait for June!
OK Obama.
You are absolutely right. I would use the 2002 World Cup to counter the hot steak of the U.S. team last year or whenever. I was just pointing out accomplishments of the teams that were supposedly nowhere near as good as today’s team.
the most important element to our back 4 is that Gooch is healthy and fit!
I think in order it’s Stu, Torres, Feilhaber, Bedoya…
If Stu can’t go than I think it’s likely Torres will start. Bedoya could get in there if he shows well at the upcoming friendlies…
Adam , come on! You didn’t think Cobi Jones was good? I’m well aware of Hejduk’s inconsistency, but he always seemed to raise his game in the World Cup and when it really mattered.
sounds like you really like my joke the first time i made it
I think so too, but apparently it’s just not cool to even imply that a past team may have been better.
A voice of reason, but how dare you imply that the U.S. team has problems! Get him!
You are just being selective to support your case. What about the horrible call by the ref at the start of the Poland game that took away one goal from the U.S. and allowed Poland to score while the U.S. was protesting, or the ridiculous call in the Germany game that robbed us of a penalty? Those calls were HUGE. Talk to me when this current team outplays Germany and Italy.
Spector has been having a rough go of it lately. I hope he recovers from this current form.
The point was things aren’t looking too good for the USMNT right now. I know, how dare I! Did you even read my posts? Stop making stuff up. You’re like a little baby.
i’m not disagreeing or even suggesting that. i’m simply saying that the team in 2002 was not any better than this team. and that it could very easily be argued that this USMNT team is the strongest.
i was basically pointing out that the 2002 wasn’t some INCREDIBLE usa team. it was a strong team who did what they needed to do. but i dont think they are stronger than this squad, when fully fit.
Bedoya will.
Soccer punditry becomes boring when you discount all good, in light of the bad. Remember, we were one Fringe’s handball away from beating Germany. Bottom line is that when teams advance from the group stage, they must have had what it takes to advance from the group stage, period. This year’s still undetermined cast of characters would do well to get a win, a draw, and a loss, squeaking out of the group stage.
This report indicates more of the same for most Americans. Dolo continues to prove his game is garbage, Spector raises more questions than answers, and Jose will hopefully be a little more humble after helping a team leave the Premier League. I know Ives loves the Spanish side of the American game, and for once I am with him. Hopefully, Gomez will get an invite to camp and this Castillo kid can get into our back four.
This is so stupid. What’s your point? That America isn’t as good at soccer as other countries? Obviously. No one here denies that.
We root for the team because it’s our team, not because it’s great (or not). I love Dempsey. I don’t care if he’s not a superstar.
shiite this is a stupid argument.
Aristotle, a lot of us are excited and exuberant because it’s the effing World Cup, which doesn’t happen every year, not because we think the USA is on the same level as Brazil, Spain, etc. – not even close. I think most of us know that America isn’t even on par with the next 10 best countries (FIFA rankings aside). We just love the team, the sport, and the tournament.
You’re being annoying. We have a decent team. We expect to get out of the group but no one would be surprised if we don’t. What the hell’s the point of making comparisons between this squad and past squads? We all know America isn’t a soccer power, hasn’t been one, and likely won’t be one for a while, if ever. So please, stop it.
Sounds like somebody just saved 15% or more on his car insurance.
anyone know where i can find video of the Dempsey E60 interview and the Davies GolTV interview?
the only reason we got out of the group was because Korea beat Portugal! Poland smashed us 3-1 and we would have GONE HOME if Korea had not beat Portugal. don’t get me wrong, we did our part by beating them and then mexico, but it wasn’t like we were AMAZING. we got a little luck, the exact opposite of 2006.
and yes, we played germany very well. and 2002 is absolutely a solid team. but going into this world cup, the US is stronger than it was back then.
i cant even count…that is a span of 13 years, not 11.
that Argentina game was in 1995, the England game was in 1993, Italy was in 2006. that is a span of 11 years! that cannot be used to counter the recent games the USMNT has played and done well in, which FulhamPeter listed. those have been played within 2 years of each other.
I thought your argument was good until you brought in Frankie Hejduk and Cobi Jones…
it is the strongest team in US history. but that doesnt mean we will definitely make it out of the group. but i think it’s pretty obvious the US has more depth than it ever has before.
Hunter Freeman scored the first goal in IK Start’s match against Honeless, Franco.
http://www.socceramerica.com/article/37797/freeman-scores-winner-for-start.html
Don’t know if there is any video available.
There’s only one Drogba in the world. Even if Jozy becomes half as good, he won’t likely be a bust. Excellent players can work as hard as they like and not become superstars like Drogba. Unfair comparison.
Jozy’s game is full of intangibles (holding up the ball, drawing fouls, beating up and tiring the defense). This season has got to be counted as a successful one for him despite the lack of goals.
He’s engaged.
here’s the video if no one else posted it already. at full speed, it looks like hutton brought his face into jozy’s head.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmNrGdAZyHo&feature=player_embedded
but seriously, this was no zidane-on-materazzi intent to injure
Yeah, that team was special… even Arena was coaching at his peak if you ask me…
and Donovan was playing like a fearless (young/risky) attacker.
2002 was a special team, to be honest a team that could have played in the Final against Brazil if you ask me.