By TATE STEINLAGE
Like Jozy Altidore, U.S. forward Aron Johannsson was dealing with an injury throughout the World Cup. However, on Thursday AZ Alkmaar team director Earnie Stewart confirmed that Johannsson was dealing with his knock before the tournament ever kicked off. That could be the reason why the 23-year-old forward was limited to just 67 minutes in four matches for the Americans.
Staying with the U.S., manager Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad exceeded many expectations at the World Cup by making it out the “Group of Death” and nearly taking Belgium to penalty kicks. However, the Americans’ effort wasn’t enough to see its stock rise in the latest FIFA rankings. The United States fell two spots to No. 15, while fellow CONCACAF rival Costa Rica jumped 12 spots to No. 16 after an incredible tournament run which ended in the quarterfinals. On the heels of its fourth World Cup title, Germany jumped Argentina to take the top spot.
In Major League Soccer, Sporting Kansas City continues to find success despite not having used the same roster twice in 2014. Much of that success can be attributed to the play of midfielder Benny Feilhaber, who has been a consistent force in the reigning MLS champions’ midfield. That was no more evident than in Wednesday’s 2-1 stoppage-time victory in Columbus against the Crew, where Feilhaber scored the game-winning goal with a beauty of a strike.
Here is a rundown of all the stories featured on SBI Thursday:
U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM
Johannsson entered World Cup with ankle knock
USMNT falls two spots to No. 15 in latest FIFA Rankings
U-20 USMNT crush Bermuda in second game of NTC Invitational
Altidore labels World Cup injury lowest point of his career
Report: USMNT in talks with Ecuador over October friendly
USMNT wins 2014 ESPY for “Best Moment”
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
Galaxy thrash Revs behind braces from Keane, Zardes
Must See-Video: Mike Magee’s Day Off Outtakes and Deleted Scenes
Must-See Goal: Benny Feilhaber
Cahill claims 2014 ESPY for MLS Best Athlete
Feilhaber developing into Sporting KC’s most consistent performer
INTERNATIONAL SOCCER
Americans Abroad: Weekend Preview
Schedule announced for U.S.-based Copa Centroamericano
JURGAN ITS TIME FOR THE NEXT LEVEL
GO GET ZELAM AND THAT KID PARKER AND A NEW JERMAN JONES
Wouldn’t be surprised at all to see Deandre Yedlin stay with the Sounders rather than go to Europe. Combination of MLS asking to steep a price and marketing value he has in USA.
Well huge fan of the idea…Sounder’s fan for 35 years….but really depends on the $$$.
He is young and underpaid, but that only lasts for so long. And that gig is up.
I wonder if the Sounders are in discusssion with ideas on the future increase in salary cap. If they have Allocation Money as a bridge for 1 year, maybe ?
Quiet day on SBI? I am forced to get actual work done. How is this possibly good?
Seems like there is just less on this site. Very disappointing.
It is hardly a slow day. The day before a weekend with some absolutely great games.
Timbers-Rapids on Nat TV tonight.
LA-Sporks tomorrow on Nat TV….that is a huge game.
Red hot Chivas playing last to first DC……Plus 6 other games this weekend. Great weekend. I can think of at least 4 great articles in there.
14-year-old Noah Leeds just signed with Sevilla. Let the overhyping begin!!!!!
why don’t MLS try n sign Nicklas Bendtner
pay him 2million a year (currently gets maybe 5)
and he can score u 20 goals a season
He has always done pretty well for Denmark but… uh the motivation on the club side of the game isn’t there.
Clearly, AJ and JG were both promised spots regardless of form or team needs. Why would we take a hobbled Johannsson over a healthy Boyd (or dare I say, Donovan)?
Is there ANY indication in the story that AJ was “hobbled”? And does Green’s showing in the limited minutes he played not suggest that he fulfilled a need? “Clearly” indeed.
Look, Green only saw those minutes cause JK threw in the towel. We were down 2-0 with a few minutes left. It was not a tactical sub or JK would have given him more time to play.
@Brett, From what I read was that the injury was a type that you could play on. Now does that mean it would not effect his level of play? I don’t know.
Green was off the bench and ready to come in at 1-0. The announcers said this at the time. So no, he did not come in because Klinsmann threw in the towel.
His form at the end of the season for AZ.
CORRECTION – switch ‘semifinals’ to ‘quarterfinals’
“… while fellow CONCACAF rival Costa Rica jumped 12 spots to No. 16 after an incredible tournament run which ended in the semifinals.”