Americans Abroad Wrap

John D. HalloranJun 1, 2018

It was another action-packed weekend for Americans plying their trade abroad as Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey both continued their red-hot form scoring goals for their respective clubs. Herculez Gomez also got into the action with a nice headed assist.

On the German front, knee injuries kept both USMNT starting outside backs out of action only 10 days before the U.S. heads into the final round of World Cup qualifying against Honduras.

Check it all out in this week’s edition of the Americans Abroad Wrap.

Dempsey Scores Again

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Clint Dempsey, Brad Friedel and Tottenham took on Leeds United in FA Cup action, but even with a goal by Dempsey, Spurs fell to Leeds 2-1.

Friedel got a rare start for Tottenham, but was beaten twice on the day. In the 15th minute, two Leeds players managed to get behind Tottenham’s back line and Friedel was beaten on a solid far post finish.

Shortly into the second half, Friedel was beaten again as Leeds’ Ross McCormack beat Kyle Walker on the dribble and then beat Friedel on a well-placed shot into the far corner.

Tottenham’s defense didn’t do Friedel any favors on the day and Friedel actually kept Spurs in the match with two other breakaway saves—a kick save in first-half stoppage time to keep the game 1-0 and later by standing tall for a block in the 72nd minute to keep the game 2-1.

Some have questioned why Friedel chose to re-sign with Tottenham after Hugo Lloris became the No. 1 at White Hart Lane, but it was revealed this week that Friedel stayed, in part, to earn his coaching badges.

Clint Dempsey had a solid game up top starting as the lone striker, but was starved for service for most of the match. While Gareth Bale did his normal damage up and down the touchline, Bale’s services for much of the match were lacking.

Dempsey had his fair share of chances on the day having a number of attempts blocked by the hard-working Leeds defense. Dempsey also had a nice drive parried away in the 39th minute after a nice turn in traffic. And Dempsey attempted a cheeky outside of the boot flick in the 26th minute that ended up going right at the goalkeeper.

Spurs finally found the breakthrough when Dempsey put away a Bale service in the 58th minute heading it perfectly into the corner to make the game 2-1.

Spurs, however, were unable to find the equalizer and were eliminated from the FA Cup.

Ze Germans

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Jermaine Jones’ Schalke took on Michael Parkhurst’s new club Augsburg, but neither player featured. Jones is still serving a suspension and Parkhurst didn’t make it off the bench for the second consecutive week.

It will be interesting to see if Parkhurst’s position with the USMNT suffers if he continues to be left out of Augsburg’s lineup.

Steve Cherundolo and Fabian Johnson both missed their matches this week with knee troubles. Cherundolo’s injury has been described as “knee pain” while Fabian Johnson’s injury has been reported as a “knee complaint.”

It is unknown whether either player, both usual starters for the USMNT, will be available for the U.S.’ first hexagonal World Cup qualifier in 10 days.

Danny Williams made the bench for Hoffenheim in their 2-1 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt, but did not play.

There is also more potential bad news for Williams as Hoffenheim seem to be looking for reinforcements at the defensive midfield position indicating that they don’t have faith in Williams ability to get the job done.

"
Potential bad news for #usmnt mid Danny Williams: Hoffenheim have just signed Mainz's Eugen Polanski & Palermo's Afriyie Acquah, both dmids
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) January 25, 2013"

Timmy Chandler went the distance in Nurnberg’s 3-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund. With the injuries to Fabian Johnson and Steve Cherundolo, Chandler may be asked to step into the starting lineup for the USMNT in a big way against Honduras.

Bundesliga 2 and the Americans playing there are still on winter hiatus.

Jozy Altidore Scores Again

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Jozy Altidore scored his sixth goal in his last four matches for AZ Alkmaar, scoring the third goal in AZ’s 4-1 win over Venlo.

When the U.S. takes on Honduras in 10 days in its first hexagonal World Cup qualifier, it will be interesting to see if Altidore’s recent club form earns him the start over Herculez Gomez.

FA Cup Action

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Geoff Cameron did not feature in Stoke’s 1-0 loss to Manchester City.

Eric Lichaj started and went the distance in Aston Villa’s 2-1 loss to Milwall. Brad Guzan did not play.

Tim Howard, Tim Ream and Stuart Holden all played a part in Everton’s 2-1 win over Bolton. Howard started as usual for Everton as did Tim Ream for Bolton. Holden made a cameo appearance for Bolton coming on in the 80th minute.

Zak Whitbread was not in the 18 as Leicester tied Huddersfield 1-1.

Elsewhere in Europe

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Carlos Bocanegra started and went the distance in Santander’s 3-1 loss to Cordoba. It was Santander’s third loss in a row. Santander finished the match with eight men.

Oguchi Onyewu and Malaga take on Mallorca later today.

Michael Bradley played 90 minutes as Roma tied Bologna 3-3.

Maurice Edu put in his second straight 90-minute effort with his new club Bursaspor, but it was in a 4-1 loss to Istanbul Buyuksehir.

Sacha Kljestan went the full 90 as Anderlecht beat Lokeren 2-0.

Mix Diskerud, Josh Gatt and Alejandro Bedoya are with the USMNT as final preparations are being made for Tuesday’s friendly against Canada.

Conor O’Brien, Terrence Boyd, Clarence Goodson and Steve Clark are all still on winter hiatus.

The English Championship

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Jonathan Spector did not feature in Birmingham’s 2-1 win over Burnley. Birmingham’s financial problems could also lead to a number of players leaving the club as reported earlier this week.