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Eric Lichaj scores first Nottingham Forest goal in draw with Burnley

Eric Lichaj goal Nottingham Forest 29

 

While one U.S. Men’s National Team fullback recently hurt his standing with head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, another may have helped his on Tuesday.

It took Eric Lichaj a little more than three-and-a-half years, but he once again got on the scoresheet in a 1-1 draw with Burnley. Lichaj opened his Nottingham Forest account and netted for the first time since March 2012 with a left-footed strike in the 73rd minute of the home game, but the Reds conceded a last-minute equalizer and had to settle for a point.

Lichaj’s goal-scoring performance at right back came at an opportune time for him. Regular U.S. right fullback Fabian Johnson was dismissed by Klinsmann in the Americans’ most recent camp, and it is unclear whether Johnson will be called up for next month’s initial World Cup qualifiers.

If Johnson is not summoned, the U.S. will have a hole to fill at a position that is far from stacked with options. The 26-year-old Lichaj has seldom been called up by Klinsmann during the past few years, but Johnson’s potential absence combined with Lichaj’s continued starts at the club level may earn the Nottingham defender more serious consideration in the coming weeks.

Here is video of Lichaj’s goal (and funny celebration):

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfao1Hbm_ZY]

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What do you think about Lichaj’s goal? Hoping Klinsmann calls him up for the November qualifiers? Would you prefer a different fullback get a look with the USMNT next month?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Other than Yedlin and Fabian (banished), who are better options at RB? I’m sure Klinnsman probably would say Evans….or Cam and Orozco out of position. Eric is nothing spectacular but I’ve never understood why he isn’t involved.

    Reply
    • I think you could include Timmy Chandler ahead of Lichaj and Yedlin now seems to be a starter at RB for Sunderland. Don’t forget that Jonathan Spector is more experienced and has played at a higher level (about 5 years in the EPL, plus about 20 US caps including starting in the Confederations Cup) than Lichaj. Castillo in Mexico can also play there and I imagine it wouldn’t be a stretch to put Ream there. I think that Lichaj is no better than the 5th or 6th best at that position.

      Reply
      • Oh, and Cameron played most of his career at RB for Stoke. He’s at CB this year because of an injury to Shawcross and Mark Hughes rates him highly enough to always want to find a place for Geoff on the pitch.

  2. Let’s see…scores one goal since 2012. Let’s crown him king!

    JK doesn’t rate him and there are better FB’s in the player pool. Which doesn’t say much for him considering we do not have a lock down FB’s besides DB & FJ.

    I wonder if Dolo would consider coming out of retirement….

    Reply
      • For what it’s worth, I thought Parkhurst should have been on the roster for Brazil. When he played Champions League he showed he could handle a number of quality opponents.

    • lol but you mentioned JK doesn’t rate him high….The same coach who thinks Bedoya is a defensive midfielder, Jermaine Jones is a winger, Wondo is a national caliber forward, Feilhaber is no good, Donovan was rated behind others, 3 a days are good to conduct in the middle of a long season during national team camp, etc….

      Reply
      • Oh, please. You don’t have to exaggerate to come up with good grounds for criticism. He played Bedoya as defensive mid one time to see how it would work. I think he has played J Jones only one time as a “winger.” Wondo is among the best US scorers in MLS year after year, the issue is if he is good enough for top international duty. He was good enough for the 2013 Gold Cup (I don’t recall him playing in this year’s GC, maybe he got some garbage minutes) and is probably good enough for the first round of qualifying, for example. And we know that in the past Feilhaber had no interest in defense or fitness and Klinsmann didn’t like his attitude, so the question wasn’t about his ability, but his commitment. As for Lichaj, he looks good at times, but I have seen him beaten often by wingers with speed and/or skill. Aston Villa deemed him not good enough for the EPL.

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