By FRANCO PANIZO
Jermaine Jones' struggles for playing time at Schalke 04 have been alleviated somewhat, as Jones made his first appearance for the club in nearly two months on Thursday.
Having last played for Schalke on Aug. 6, Jones came off the bench in the 76th minute of Schalke's Europa League match against Maccabi Haifa to help the club preserve its 2-1 lead. Jones was able to do that, and minutes after he entered, Schalke put the game away with an insurance goal to win 3-1.
On a day that saw no American player's team lose in Europa League action, Steve Cherundolo also made his return to his club's starting lineup. Having been benched for Hannover 96's last two league games, Cherundolo started, went the distance and was given a yellow card in Hannover's 2-1 win over Vorskla.
Here's how the Americans Abroad in Europa League action on Thursday fared:
- Jozy Altidore started, played 82 minutes, scored a GOAL and received a yellow card in AZ Alkmaar's 1-1 draw vs. FC Metalist Kharkiv in Group G.
- Jonathan Spector started and played 90 minutes in Birmingham's 2-1 win vs. NK Maribor in Group H.
- Dominic Cervi did not dress in Celtic's 1-1 draw vs. Udinese in Group I.
- Jermaine Jones came off the bench and played 14 minutes in Schalke 04's 3-1 win vs. Maccabi Haifa in Group J.
- Clint Dempsey started, played 90 minutes and helped set up a goal in Fulham's 2-0 win vs. Odense BK in Group K. You can see Dempsey's involvement in the goal here.
- Sacha Kljestan started and played 90 minutes in RSC Anderlecht's 2-0 win vs. Lokomotiv Moscow in Group L.
- Brad Friedel did not dress in Tottenham Hotspurs' 3-1 win vs. Shamrock in Group A.
- Steve Cherundolo started, played 90 minutes and received a yellow card in Hannover 96's 2-1 win vs. Vorskla in Group B.
- Oguchi Onyewu started and played 90 minutes in Sporting Lisbon's 2-1 win vs. Lazio in Group D.
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What do you think of these results? Do you see Jones' appearance as the start of him returning to Schalke's rotation? Should Cherundolo be starting more for Hannover?
Share your thoughts below.
He always had the raw skills and you saw them with NYRB and in flashes against Internationals (those of you with selective memory don’t seem to recall Jozy’s wicked turn move against Spain in the Confed Cup). The speed of play is so intense in Europe, however, that it takes time to adapt, especially when you’re not getting regular run. The only semi-regular time he got was with Hull and that team was just awful. Zero action and zero service = zero progression and adaptation.
he also scored that game-wining goal.
That is a nice goal and although the first touch was good (great when you consider his previous years of first touch) I’m more impressed by the “bend” he put on the shot. I’ve watched a lot of Jozy in hopes that he would become the “Great American Striker” and that’s one of the few and far between aspects that he just didn’t do before (whether he couldn’t or didn’t know how or whatever)
Way things are going so far we at least have a good chance of Jozy playing Champs League next year.
Why is Dominic Cervi still at Celtic? Never even gets a sniff. Why not loan him out or release him?
Jozy is having his best season ever. Kid has always had the skills, but AZ Alkmaar is doing something correct that is getting the best out of him.
Maybe in 2 or 3 years we will have Americans Abroad: Champions League Rewind.
I didn’t think Gooch had a chance with the speed in that league but he is supplanting some good defenders and the team is winning! I guess getting paid for playing helps lol
I’m on the wagon! Where’s that “don’t call it a comeback video…”
That’s the first Jermaine Jones sighting in Schalke in a month.
Haven’t the foggiest idea what that means for his standing with the club.
A goal scorer’s goal for Jozy. Hope that touch is something he’s learning to consistently do. well done
Yeah boyssssssssssssssssssssssssss
Did Jozy have glue on his foot? That first touch was diabolical. Great finish too. He’s playing great; keep it up!
The Gooch was outstanding today! My boy is back definitely. Thanks Goodson, Ream, and Fiscal for your works, but the Gooch can take it from here.
Good for Spector Gadget! He is settling quite well.
Good to see Dolo back in the lineup. Might have been bagged up a bit the last couple of weeks.
“Jozy puedo” is taking this to the next level. I’m trilled of what he had been doing.
I hope this is the start of Jones making the bench or the lineup. Good news.
Sasha…. Pppsshhh… With a Martin Lawrence face impression. Deport him to Canada.
Gooch was solid today from what I saw. Nice goal by Jozy.
how come there’s always videos on the net that miss the goal live? Like they only show replays? are people waiting til a goal is scored then hitting record?
regardless. good finish. i like to see that.
Nice job beating two guys by Deuce, as well.
Fantastic first touch on that goal by Jozy. If he shows touch like that and improves his work rate, he could be world class. His other tools are that good.