By FRANCO PANIZO
It was a topsy-turvy weekend for the Americans Abroad contingent, and no player may have illustrated that more than Maurice Edu.
Having missed out on last week's U.S. men's national team friendly against Mexico with an injury, Edu recovered enough to earn a start in Rangers' 2-0 win against Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Edu scored the insurance goal in the game, but was sent off with a second booking minutes later.
Zak Whitbread had one of the more positive outings, starting and playing 71 minutes in Norwich City's season opening 1-1 draw versus Wigan Athletic. Whitbread earning the start in Norwich City's Premier League season opener is likely to give him confidence as he looks to prove that he's capable of playing at that level.
Oguchi Onyewu was on the other end of the spectrum, failing to get on the gameday roster for Sporting CP in its season opener against Olhanense. Sporting CP tied Olhanense, 1-1.
Here is how the Americans Abroad did this weekend:
ENGLAND
Premiership
- Tim Howard and Everton's game vs. Tottenham Hotspur was postponed due to rioting in the country.
- Clint Dempsey started and played 90 minutes in Fulham's 0-0 draw vs. Aston Villa on Saturday.
- Brad Friedel and Tottenham Hotspur's game vs. Everton was postponed due to rioting in the country.
- Brad Guzan dressed but did not play in Aston Villa's 0-0 draw vs. Fulham on Saturday.
- Eric Lichaj did not dress for Aston Villa.
- Stuart Holden did not dress in Bolton Wanderers' 4-0 win vs. Queens Park Rangers on Saturday. He is recovering from a knee injury.
- Zak Whitbread started and played 71 minutes in Norwich City's 1-1 draw vs. Wigan Athletic on Saturday.
Championship
- Jonathan Spector dressed but did not play in Birmingham City's 1-0 win vs. Coventry City on Saturday.
- Conor Doyle did not dress in Derby County's 1-0 win vs. Watford on Saturday.
- Robbie Findley started and played 90 minutes in Nottingham Forest's 2-0 loss vs. Millwall on Saturday.
- Mike Grella did not dress in Leeds United's 1-0 loss vs. Middlesbrough on Saturday.
League One
- Frank Simek did not dress in Carlisle United's 2-0 win vs. Bury on Saturday. He is recovering from a hip injury.
- Anton Peterlin started and played 82 minutes in Walsall's 1-1 draw vs. Hartlepool United on Saturday.
SCOTLAND
- Maurice Edu started, played 75 minutes, received two yellow cards and scored a GOAL in Rangers' 2-0 win vs. Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Saturday.
- Dominic Cervi dressed but did not play in Celtic's 5-1 win vs. Dundee United on Saturday.
GERMANY
Bundesliga
- Jermaine Jones did not dress in Schalke 04's 5-1 win vs. FC Cologne on Saturday.
- Michael Bradley did not dress in Borussia Moenchengladbach's 1-1 draw vs. VfB Stuttgart on Saturday.
- Steve Cherundolo dressed but did not play in Hannover 96's 2-1 win vs. FC Nurnberg on Saturday.
- Timmy Chandler started, played 90 minutes, received a yellow card and got an ASSIST in FC Nurnberg's 2-1 loss vs. Hannover 96 on Saturday.
- David Yelldell dressed but did not play in Bayer Leverkusen's 1-0 win vs. Werder Bremen on Sunday.
- Alfredo Morales came off the bench and played 23 minutes in Hertha Berlin's 2-2 draw vs. Hamburg SV on Saturday.
- Daniel Williams did not dress in SC Freiburg's 2-1 loss vs. Mainz on Saturday.
Bundesliga 2
- Ricardo Clark and Eintracht Frankfurt play Fortuna Dusseldorf on Monday.
- Luis Robles dressed but did not play in Karlsruher SC's 3-1 loss vs. Eintracht Braunschweig on Friday.
- Edson Buddle came off the bench, played 16 minutes and scored a GOAL in FC Ingolstadt 04's 1-1 draw vs. FSV Frankfurt on Sunday.
- Bobby Wood dressed but did not play in TSV 1860 Munich's 4-0 win vs. FC Erzgebirge Aue on Sunday.
- Matt Taylor came off the bench and played 23 minutes in SC Paderborn 07's 1-0 loss vs. SpVgg Greuther Furth on Saturday.
FRANCE
- Carlos Bocanegra did not dress in St Etienne's 1-0 win vs. AS Nancy Lorraine on Saturday.
- Quentin Westberg started, played 90 minutes and made 3 saves in Evian Thonon Gaillard's 1-0 win vs. Nice on Sunday.
NETHERLANDS
- Jozy Altidore came off the bench and played 22 minutes in AZ Alkmaar's 2-0 loss vs. Twente Enschede on Saturday.
PORTUGAL
- Oguchi Onyewu did not dress in Sporting CP's 1-1 draw vs. Olhanense on Saturday.
RUSSIA
- Eugene Starikov did not dress in FC Tom Tomsk's 2-0 loss vs. Spartak Nalchik on Saturday.
BELGIUM
- Sacha Kljestan started and played 90 minutes in RSC Anderlecht's 1-0 win vs. Lokeren on Sunday.
DENMARK
- Michael Parkhurst started and played 90 minutes in FC Nordsjaelland's 2-0 win vs. HB Koge on Sunday.
- Marcus Tracy did not dress in Aalborg BK's 2-1 win vs. Odense BK on Saturday. He is recovering from a knee injury.
- Chris Rolfe started, played 83 minutes and scored a GOAL for Aalborg BK.
- Clarence Goodson started and played 90 minutes in Brondby IF's 2-2 draw vs. Sonderjyske on Sunday.
- Brad Rusin started, played 90 minutes and received a yellow card in HB Koge's 2-0 loss vs. FC Nordsjaelland on Sunday.
- Conor O'Brien came off the bench and played 26 minutes in SonderjyskE's 2-2 draw vs. Brondby IF on Sunday.
SWEDEN
- Alejandro Bedoya started and played 90 minutes in Orebro SK's 2-0 win vs. Djurgardens IF on Sunday.
- Ryan Miller did not dress in Halmstads BK's 1-0 loss vs. Hacken on Saturday.
- Samuel Petrone did not dress in Mjallby AIF's 3-0 win vs. Syrianska FC on Saturday.
NORWAY
- Mix Diskerud started, played 90 minutes and got an ASSIST in Stabaek IF's 2-0 win vs. Stromsgodset on Saturday.
- Josh Gatt started, played 120 minutes and received a yellow card in Molde FK's 3-2 extra-time loss vs. Fredrikstad in the quarterfinals of the NM Cupen on Sunday.
- Sean Cunningham dressed but did not play for Molde FK.
MEXICO
- Jose Torres started and played 69 minutes in Pachuca's 3-0 win vs. Toluca on Saturday.
- Herculez Gomez started and played 75 mintues in Estudiantes Tecos' 2-0 win vs. Atlas on Saturday.
- Edgar Castillo started and played 90 minutes in Club America's 2-2 draw vs. Tigres UANL on Saturday.
- Sonny Guadarrama did not dress in Atlante's 3-1 loss vs. Queretaro on Saturday.
- Jonathan Bornstein did not dress in Tigres UANL's 2-2 draw vs. Club America on Saturday.
- DaMarcus Beasley started and played 89 minutes in Puebla's 1-1 draw vs. Club Tijuana on Sunday.
- Adrian Ruelas did not dress in Jaguares de Chiapas' 1-1 draw vs. Cruz Azul on Saturday.
- Michael Orozco did not dress in San Luis' 1-0 win vs. Monterrey on Saturday.
- Joe Corona started and played 69 minutes in Club Tijuana's 1-1 draw vs. Puebla on Sunday.
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What do you think of these performances? How do you rate Edu's performance? Think Whitbread is in for a big season with Norwich City? Surprised Onyewu did not dress?
Share your thoughts below.
this. thanks. you’re missing nothing.
hey danny, if Gooch came back to play well, why would any USMNT fan then not want him back?
I thought Gazan was already playing for United… David Dea Guzan
Maybe Arsenal if he was Guzanski.
You must also look at and add in those who play very little, Jozy, Spector, Buddle and others.
He should join United. I hear they need a new keeper 🙂
As an Arsenal fan I would like to give my opinion about Bradley going to Arsenal…
1) That would make Bradley the best American soccer player as he is the only American to play for a top side in the world (Before any of you contradict Arsenal as not being a top side let me remind you… Arsenal 2-1 FC Barcelona.
2) Wenger would most likely get Jaidson who is worth 10 million pounds at the moment and a better playmaker than Bradley.
3) If he does move to Arsenal there is a huge chance that Bradley would improve big time as has happened a lot with players under Wenger.
3) Also I would only see that Bradley would move to Arsenal as a replacement for Rosicky or maybe Nasri
Edu wearing number 10 for Rangers???
Indeed. Thanks.
does anyone else wonder why Guzan isn’t trying to get to a club where he’ll actually see match time? A season or two under the guidance of a veteran #1 is one thing, but this is getting old…..
while I didn’t see the US-MEX match, I thought the consensus was that EC didn’t after all that much better than JB at LB….
He was a pretty hot commodity several years ago with the U.S. youth soccer teams. A little undersized, but seemed to have some good athleticism and a very recognizable hairdo. Has been in the 2nd (maybe 3rd as well?) division in France for a while now. Getting his first shot at top division soccer; he is one to watch, perhaps.
Agree. I would love to see the midfield triangle of holden, bradley (possible edu) and mix.
Who is this Quentin Westberg? Anyone got the 411 on him please? I am not familiar…
It’s nice to see a Fulham coaching change when CD23 doesn’t go straight to the bench or reserves, and have to prove himself all over again!
It’s possible that Fulham has set a high price tag for him. And/or Clint has a “personal” (for lack of a better word) attachment to the Cottage. Brian McB really established himself as an icon there, and as long as Clint is making enough money, getting enough PT, scoring enough goals, etc., then what’s wrong with cementing his legacy?
Would be nice to see him in the CL, tho’…
He already took a call-up for the Mexican U-22s.
Well I’m all for dropping players from our pool who aren’t playing. I’m just saying that a lot of players who aren’t playing are young and on the up or are older and on the decline, which happens.
Thanks Adrian, I just wish he was with a company I actually read.
Castillo playing consistent lately is a plus for U.S soccer! … Especially considering he plays for Las aguilas de la America.
I heard Barrera pooped his pants trying to get around Castillo who by the way was a bit nervous in the beginning of the game and still managed to shut him down on the left.
Acuna should be followed a bit closely. The kid wants to play for us.
wow, certainly some positives, but some negatives too…the negatives coming from a lot of key players. Lichaj, Spector, Jones, Bradley, Dolo, Boca and Gooch all didn’t play. Some of those we know why, but others leave me wondering. I’m guessing it’s because of the Mexico game.
a lot of positives from our players in Mexico. Torres, Gomez, Castillo, Beasley and Corona all playing solid minutes.
overall, not too bad.
Agreed. The whole back line looked at times what it was. A championship back four playing a prem team. Especially their right back and Whitbread did get caught one time with the ball.
However, I think Whitbread played well. I saw him play some questionable long balls but I also saw him play 3 or 4 into the box in good position. Plus he tracked well and came up with a few very key blocks, including the one he got injured on.
After seeing this game and watching Tim Ream since the gold cup. I see zero reason for Ream to be ahead of Whitbread in the depth chart.
Zak is the new Demerit. Less of a beast but more likely to play a good ball forward.
It’s not downerism to drop players who do not play games from the pool. It’s common sense. The list of pool players who are not playing for all reasons is long.
McLeish,
Y U NO play Lichaj?
Really? Not good? If you look at exactly who was DND and DDNP then you’ll see either injuries, youth, or club issues. Many of these guys aren’t in the 23 for a USMNT roster.
Also there were also 3 goals by YAs, but no props for that? Or does that cut into your debbie-downerism
He just played 90 for the USMNT and is still recovering from an injury. He is the captain of Hannover so I highly doubt he’s on the bench for much longer
He’s trying to get a move to a different club.
Why no lichaj dress?
Cherundolo didn’t play?!?!
I’ve actually said this before and yes, I did get crucified. As perfect as it looks to us, I don’t think it’s going to happen, unfortunately. I guess that’s what FIFA is for…
Mix should be called up for the next USMNT Camp. He has preformed consistently for his club and he is still very young. The kid has a bright future.
The issue with MB isn’t that he’s not French. The issue is he’s over 20 (another joke of course.)
I would love to see this happen. If I remember correctly, Wenger has said some very positive things about MB, concerning his play at the world cup. So I wouldn’t say its completely out of the realm of possibility. The problem is that it would be very hard for many Arsenal fans to swallow.
I have to say I’m really surprised that a bigger club hasn’t come calling for Dempsey yet. You guys see him this weekend? He’s got creativity and he rarely gave away a pass. Always in the back of my mind that the bigger clubs don’t want to take a chance on an American. Then again, could just be that Fulham likes him and isn’t going to sell.
I agree with you timmy. But I never thought he was that good. To me, his skill set represents the past for US Soccer- a time when bulk, strength and speed was emphasized over skill. Anyways, I still hope recovers from his injury and finishes off a pretty respectable career playing in Europe. But I don’t want to see him ever called back to the US NATS again.
I am going to get crucified for this, nonetheless, here goes:
Arsenal has just sold its best central midfielder for lots of cash. Arsenal is constantly criticized for not having any toughness or bite in midfield. Arsenal still has – at least for some time, Nasri. It has a young Jack Wilshire.
Why shouldn’t Arsenal pay a million or so of its transfer fees for Cesc and buy Mikey Bradley from BM. I mean, it has to be better than paying over the odds for a malcontent like Joey Barton.
Yes I am a US homer and I would like this, but no I don’t think it will happen – if for no other reason than Bradley is not French (a joke)
Am I missing something, was he called up by Klinsmann for the mexico game? I don’t think he gets a call up until he puts in a half season to a full season of starting. But I would not write him off the books as of yet. He had a bad injury he may shake it off he may not
I thought he same, but I only watched the first 45, so didn’t see the last 26min that whitbread played. Hopefully i’ll have time to watch the second half tonight.
More troubling is that many are in the USMNT pool. Klinsmann needs to weed out the habitual
DNP’s, and try more DP.
He is pretty good, and he is now with Sports Illustrated (soccer portion). I believe he is the chief editor for the soccer side of sports.
Usually a CB or a Defensive Mid, I think in the last game he was a Defensive mid, in the exhibition games he was mostly playing as a CB.
actually, I’ve heard that the time it takes to return to top form/100% after a serious knee ligament injury is about 1.5 years.
It may be that Gooch never gets back to his past level, but it also may be that he’s just now getting over the injury completely. He’s only 29. Right in the wheelhouse for a defender’s prime.
Whitbread (and Norwich’s back line in general) was shakey. Morison looked lively for Norwich.
I think right now. On a unrelated note whatever happened to Jen Chang the editor for ESPNsoccernet, that guy was good.
What position does Alfredo Morales play?
Wha iwant to know is where is bradley going?
When is it OK to admit that Onyewu just isn’t a very good soccer player anymore w/o 10 apologists ripping someone a new one in his defense. At some point, the rusults of the last 2 years have to count for something, right?
Wow, a bunch of DBDNP (dressed but did not play) and DND (did not dress). Not good.
Our YA defenders are getting playing time:
Chandler (of course)
Parkhurst
Goodson
Alfredo Morales*
Brad Rusin
Whitbread
Castillo
Our midfielders are getting playing time:
Dempsey(of course)
Edu (of course)
Findley (yes, Robbie Findley..lol)
Beasley
Kjestan
Rolfe
Diskerud
Josh Gatt (like this kid)
Joe Corona
Torres
Taylor
Decent week…..
Edu: “Nobody can do the SHIMMY! like I do . . .”
I know some guys probably didn’t play due to the friendly against Mexico, but this is still disappointing.