Americans Abroad Wrap

Things are coming down to the wire in Europe with Jermaine Jones, Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley’s teams all fighting for places in Europe, while the Americans at Stoke, Aston Villa, Hoffenheim and Augsburg find themselves in relegation battles.

Jose Torres’ Tigres also found themselves in a battle for the top of the Liga MX Clausura on the final day of the regular season, and Tim Ream and Stuart Holden’s Bolton battled for the last spot in the English Championship’s promotion playoffs and a shot at playing once again in the English Premier League next season.

Alejandro Bedoya scored yet another goal, pushing his way for inclusion in the U.S.’ international games this summer, and Edgar Castillo picked up a nice assist for Tijuana.

Check all that out plus United States men’s national team-specific news on Stuart Holden, Jozy Altidore and Brek Shea, all in this week’s edition of the Americans Abroad Wrap.

The English Contingent: Relegation, Promotion and CL Qualification

Geoff Cameron, Brek Shea and Stoke City face Sunderland on Monday. Stoke are five points above the drop zone with three games to go. This week USMNT manager Jurgen Klinsmann warned Shea that his lack of playing time with the first team at Stoke is hurting his chances at being selected for the USMNT in the future.

Clint Dempsey and Tottenham stole all three points at Southampton on Saturday via an 86th-minute blast from Gareth Bale, winning 1-0. Dempsey started and went 72 minutes. Brad Friedel did not play. Spurs now lie two points out of fourth place and a spot in the Champions League with three games to go.

Brad Guzan, Eric Lichaj and Aston Villa picked up a huge three points on Saturday beating Norwich 2-1. Villa are now five points above the drop zone with two games to play. Guzan took his usual place in Villa’s net and Lichaj played 63 minutes in the win.

Tim Howard and Everton tied Liverpool 0-0 in the Merseyside derby on Sunday. Howard made two saves in the match, including an excellent stop on Daniel Sturridge on a breakaway.

Tim Ream and Bolton tied Blackpool 2-2 in the last game of the English Championship season, finishing tied on points with Leicester City for sixth place. However, because Leicester had a better goal differential, Bolton will miss out on the promotion playoffs and will not have a chance to play in the English Premier League next season.

Ream started and went 90 minutes in the tie, while Holden did not feature. Despite the cruel fate for the pair, Holden was given some good news by Klinsmann as the coach said Holden will be a part of the U.S.’ May-June camp and the Gold Cup squad this summer.

Jonathan Spector and Will Packwood remain injured and missed Birmingham’s last match of the English Championship season as the team tied Blackburn 1-1.

Ze Germans: Champions League Qualification, Relegation and a Record-Setter

Jermaine Jones and Schalke picked up an important three points on Friday as Schalke clung to the last qualification spot for the Champions League in the Bundesliga with two games to go. Jones started and went the distance.

Hoffenheim scored two goals in the last five minutes to tie Werder Bremen, 2-2. The tie still leaves Hoffenheim in the relegation zone with two games to play. Fabian Johnson started, but was withdrawn at the half. Danny Williams did not make the 18 for Hoffenheim.

Steve Cherundolo made the 18, but did not play in Hannover’s 2-2 draw with Mainz 05. Reports this week indicated that he will sign a contract extension to remain with Hannover next season. Cherundolo also did a nice interview this week with U.S. Soccer about his record-tying appearance with Hannover set two weeks ago against Bayern Munich.

Timmy Chandler did not play in Nurnberg’s 2-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen.

Augsburg lost 2-0 to Freiburg. Michael Parkhurst was in the 18, but did not play. Augsburg remains in the relegation zone on goal differential with two games to play.

John Anthony Brooks, Alfredo Morales and Hertha Berlin beat Aue 3-2. Brooks and Morales both went the distance.

St. Pauli tied Duisburg 0-0. Joe Gyau did not make the 18 for St. Pauli.

1860 Munich beat Union Berlin 3-0. Bobby Wood made the 18 for 1860 Munich, but did not play.

The Rest of Europe: Bedoya Scores Again and Drama for Altidore with AZ Again

Alejandro Bedoya and Helsingborg beat Syrianska 1-0 on a goal from Bedoya in the 61st minute. The goal is Bedoya’s seventh goal in the last 15 games for Helsingborg. His form should earn him a USMNT call-up this summer.

Jozy Altidore and AZ Alkmaar beat PEC Zwolle 4-0. Altidore played 60 minutes in the win. Doug McIntyre reported this week via Twitter that Altidore believes AZ Alkmaar will once again not release him on time for U.S. camp. Last summer, Alkmaar’s late release of Altidore resulted in Altidore not showing up to camp fully fit, cost him his spot in the starting lineup and even caused Klinsmann to question his work ethic.

Michael Bradley and Roma beat Fiorentina 1-0. Bradley played the entire match for Roma, who will currently play in the Europa League next season if they can hold onto fifth place with three games to go.

Conor O’Brien did not play in Nordsjaelland’s 2-2 draw with Silkeborg, but was the focus of an article this week that reported he is leading the Superliga in distance covered per match.

Steve Clark took his usual place in the net for Honefoss as they drew 1-1 with Tromso. It was reported this week that Clark was fined for  “unsportsmanlike conduct” in Honefoss’ midweek Norwegian Cup tie for taunting Honefoss players who missed their penalties during the shootout.

Clarence Goodson started and went the distance in Brondby’s 0-0 tie with Copenhagen.

Carlos Bocanegra and Santander lost 2-1 to Almeria. Bocanegra played the full 90.

Sacha Kljestan went the distance in Anderlecht’s 2-0 win over Standard Liege.

Mix Diskerud and Rosenborg tied Aalesund 2-2. Diskerud got the start, but was withdrawn at the half.

Malaga lost 1-0 to Getafe. Oguchi Onyewu did not make the 18 for Malaga.

Maurice Edu did not play in Bursaspor’s 4-2 win over Orduspor.

Terrence Boyd did not play in Rapid Vienna’s 3-1 win over Sturm Graz.

Josh Gatt and Molde play IK Start on Monday.

South of the Border

Jose Torres and Tigres beat America 2-0 to finish atop the Clausura in Liga MX. Torres played 86 minutes in the effort.

Tijuana beat Guadalajara 4-0. For Tijuana, Castillo played the full 90 and assisted on Tijuana’s second goal. Corona played 14 minutes. Greg Garza did not play.

DaMarcus Beasley and Michael Orozco both started and went the distance in Puebla’s 3-2 win over Queretaro.

Herculez Gomez played 29 minutes of Santos’ 2-1 loss to Morelia.

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