Americans Abroad: Onyewu scores 2 goals, Edu and Davies score goals
It was a busy and eventful weekend in European Soccer for Americans playing abroad. Here’s a recap of Americans playing in the top European leagues.
Oguchi Onyewu – Standard Liege beat Royal Excelsior Mouscron 3-0 – Belgium Jupiler Pro League – 2 goals – 90 minutes – Standard won easily and are now tied atop the league table as Onyewu scored two goals. The first one was a header off a long cross after a corner kick was cleared out. The American centerback was still in the box and converted a nice header to beat the goalkeeper. The second goal, coming in the 65th minute, was a similar one to the first as Standard had a free kick about 35 yards out. It was played to the wing and then crossed in where the American centerback was unmarked and headed another goal. Overall, Onyewu has been a solid player for Standard and should be rewarded during the summer as he will become a free agent.
Maurice Edu (MF) – Rangers beat Hibernian 3-2 – Scottish Premier League – 1 goal – 90 minutes – Edu is taking advantage of his opportunity at Rangers with the game winning goal in the 73rd minute against Hibernian.
Tim Howard (GK) – Everton beat Manchester United 4-2 on penalty kicks – English FA Cup – 120 minutes – Howard was not tested much during the FA Cup semifinal against Man United during regular and extra time. It was a fairly defensive game for both sides but Howard did make the necessary saves as the game headed to penalty kicks. During the penalty kicks, Howard made a few clutch saves that helped lead Everton to the win, and a spot in the Championship against Chelsea.
Charlie Davies (ST) – Hammarby IF beat Djurgarden 3-1 – Swedish Allsvenskan – 90 minutes – Davies scored again for Hammarby and now has 2 in 4 games as the team got its first win of the season. Since last season, the American striker has been one of the top scorers in the Swedish league and could be attracting attention from bigger European clubs in the summer transfer window. Hammarby is currently in the middle of the table.
Brad Friedel (GK) – Aston Villa drew with West Ham United 1-1 – English Premier League – 90 minutes – Friedel made some key saves late after Villa conceded a late goal to give up their 1-0 lead. The American goalkeeper has seen his club’s Champions League chances falling apart with each week in the Premier League. Friedel and Villa are looking to hold onto their 5th place spot, which would at least give them a Europa League spot for next season.
Clint Dempsey (LM) – Fulham drew with Middlesbrough 0-0 – English Premier League – 90 minutes – Dempsey and Fulham drew against a struggling Middlesbrough team currently in the relegation battle. Fulham have struggled on the road but remained in 8th place, 1 point behint West Ham United. Dempsey continues to play at left midfield and nearly scored a goal in the final moments on a pass from Kamara. The American had a few shots and has arguably been one of the top contributors to Fulham all season.
Carlos Bocanegra (LB) – Stade Rennais (Rennes) lost to AS Monaco 1-3 – French Ligue 1 – 90 minutes – Rennes and Bocanegra conceded 2 late goals in Saturday’s league match. The French club is in 7th and their chances of European football are fading away. After a strong start, a top 4 finish seemed realistic but the team was unable to maintain form. Bocanegra seems to be fitting in well for Rennes, playing and starting virtually every league game this season.
Michael Bradley (LM) – Borussia Monchengladbach lost to Eintracht Frankfurt 1-4 – German Bundesliga – 90 minutes – Bradley and Monchengladbach had a poor game on Saturday, conceding 2 first half goals. Bradley had a penalty kick in the 65th minute but the shot was saved by the goalkeeper. Monchengladbach earned another penalty kick 10 minutes later that was converted to cut the lead in half. Frankfurt responded with 2 goals in the last 10 minutes to win the match 4-1. Bradley’s hot streak seems to have cooled slighlty but he’s still been a solid player for the Monchengladbach and could be transfering if the club is relegated. Currently the soccer club is in the last relegation spot at 23 points.
Eddie Johnson (ST) – Cardiff City lost to Preston North End 0-6 – English Championship – 24 minutes – Johnson came in as a late substitute as the game was already out of reach for Cardiff. EJ didn’t get any shots during Saturday’s match and Cardiff are currently 4th in the Championship table. Johnson has started 5 games this season for Cardiff and been a substitute in 23.
Marcus Hahnemann (GK) – Reading drew with Barnsley 0-0 – English Championship – 90 minutes – Hahnemann made 8 saves on Saturday as Reading earned a draw. The soccer club is now in 5th and only 3 points ahead of 7th place Swansea City for a promotion play-off spot. Hahnemann has been with Reading for several years and will be trying to return to the Premiership next season.
Jay DeMerit (D) – Watford lost to Birmingham 0-1 – English Championship – 90 minutes - Watford lost on Saturday and are in 16th place in the Championship table. DeMerit has played 30 league games for Watford this season and does not have any goals for assists. Watford will be staying in the Championship for next season but has not chance of getting promotion to the Premiership.
Mike Grella (ST) – Leeds United beat Tranmere Rovers 3-1 – English Championship – 5 minutes – Grella was a late substitute as Leeds had a comfortable 3-1 lead at that point and held on for the win. Leeds are in 5th place at 78 points, and will be in the promotion playoffs for the last spot to the Championship.
Michael Parkhurst (D) – FC Nordsjælland lost to Odense BK 0-3 – Danish SAS-Ligaen – 90 minutes - FC Nordsjælland gave up an early goal and never recovered in Sunday’s match. Parkhurst again started and played the full game for FC Nordsjælland who are 8 points clear of relegation. The club has conceded 40 goals in 25 goals, second only to last place Sonderjyske.
Danny Califf (D) – FC Midtjylland lost to Randers FC 0-2 – Danish SAS-Ligaen – 90 minutes - FC Midtjylland and Califf lost and remained in 4th place in the league table. They are 11 points behind 3rd place Odense BK and 8 points ahead of Aalborg. Califf has started and played 19 league games for FC Midtjylland this season.
Marcus Tracy (ST) – Aalborg drew with Vejle 0-0 – Danish SAS-Ligaen – 30 minutes – Tracy came on as a second half substitute but wasn’t able to get anything going as the game ended in a scoreless draw. Aalborg is in 5th in the Danish league table and no chance of a top 2 finish or any danger of relegation.
Jemal Johnson, Jozy Altidore, Sal Zizzo, Heath Pearce, Jonathan Spector, Freddy Adu, Brad Guzan, DaMarcus Beasley, and Steve Cherundolo all did not play in this weekend’s games for their European clubs.
[...] Jon placed an interesting blog post on Americans Abroad: Onyewu scores 2 goals, Edu and Davies score …Here’s a brief overviewThe soccer club is now in 5th and only 3 points ahead of 7th place Swansea City for a promotion play-off spot. Hahnemann has been with Reading for several years and will be trying to return to the Premiership next season. … [...]
[...] Americans Abroad: Onyewu scores 2 goals, Edu and Davies score … [...]