Another Man City match, another win for Tim Howard and Everton. This is like Florida vs Georgia.
by Dru Boyer
Brad Friedel made a save in a 1-1 draw with Wigan at Villa Park. MB0 was active, but did not appear…kinda like the ghosts on Ghost Hunters, or am I the only one that watches that show? Mystery remains open as to where the Favre of Villa Park will land next season. Where are you feeling…comment section. Won’t happen.
Jon Spector and West Ham visited Jermaine Jones and Blackburn for 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw. Blackburn scored 12 minutes into the match, which left the Hammers hoping for a miracle to avoid relegation early in the match. Both Spector and Jones went 90 minutes and one of the two earned a yellow…it was not Jones. Specs and West Ham will be relegated. Jones may take his place in the USMNT midfield….an exciting battle to watch. My vote is with Jones.
Timmy Howard and Everton did what they do in dispatching Man City 2-1. Howard made a pair of saves in the match and looked damn fine in his customary green…no homo. Timmy H and Everton credited much of the effort to the Nigerian forward, Victor Anichebe. That may very well be the last time I write a sentence suggesting praise be lavished on Anichebe- but Howard and his mates probably don’t care. It was the seventh consecutive victory for Everton over Manchester City, and while the Blue Side of Manchester will see the Champions League—Everton at least can revel in being Florida to their Georgia.
Clint Dempsey and the Cottagers did not put forth their best effort against Liverpool on Monday afternoon. Deuce went all 90 and picked up a yellow (one of five for Fulham) in a 5-2 loss. I did not see this match, as I am a working person, but I would assume that it was a frustrating hour and a half for Fulham fans. But more importantly, is Duece on the move?…is PSV on the attack for Clint? If PSV wants to secure Deuce…I’m buying a jersey, I’d miss him though…at the Cottage.
Mo Edu went 62 minutes and drew a yellow in the Gers 4-0 v. Hearts. Edu followed this performance with a full 90 in a 2-0 win v. Dundee, both at Ibrox. The Rangers are now a trip away from Kilmarnock for an SPL title, a feat that appeared very unlikely a few months ago.
Carlos Bocanegra put in 90 minutes, ran around, and looked beautiful in St Etienne’s 1-0 victory over Arles. Boca turned around and put in another 90 in a 2-1 loss to Lille. He has stamina.
Capt. Steve played 84 minutes in a mega-disappointing 2-1 loss to Stuttgart. Hannover was so close to a Champion’s League opportunity one week ago, but back to back loses eliminated any chance of a bid to the Champions League next season. No shame in that. Just ask Jon Spector, sorry Levy. In fact, a Europa League bid is assured, and there are plenty of Yanks (looking at you Tim Howard) who would be more than happy to play in that competition next season. In the end, Cherundolo did a fine job captaining a side that didn’t have the skill or depth to hold off Munich for an entire campaign. That’s happened to many-a-side before and will happen again—what is remarkable and deserves our applause is that it took as long as it did for Bayern to finally catch and pass Hannover. Great season Stevie—we look forward to a terrific summer.
Timothy Chandler went 90 minutes in a 2-1 defeat v. Hoffenheim. Chandler was not overly impressive throughout the match. He lacked that..shall we say, American desire and hustle. Whatevs..I want physicallity…. that is a word.
Gooch was not in the active 18, but Twente clinched the Dutch Cup after a 3-2 win over Ajax…scoring all 3 goals in the second half, after falling behind 2-0. I’d imagine…or like to imagine that Gooch gave a speech at halftime to rally the troops. That link is for my Florida Gator homies. Bottom line…if Gooch stays put, Champion’s League.
Sacha Kljestan caught a 20th minute yellow and was pulled at the half in a very unfortunate 1-0 loss to Genk.
Eric Lichaj put in 90 minutes in a 2-1 loss to QPR, who are EPL bound.
Jozy Altidore came on in the 66th minute for Bursaspor in a 1-0 loss last week. Altidore didn’t manage a shot and was mostly unproductive- but given the Americans lack of options up top he enters the Gold Cup as the most experienced of a bare cupboard.
Freddy Adu has earned his way into this update. That’s remarkable enough by itself. As we wrote a month or two ago- Adu may have found a home and while we can’t get too excited—that is a great thing for American soccer. Avi Creditor at CNNSI agrees. Adu played the role of super sub this weekend, entering in the 56th minute and scoring in the 61st minute to help Rizespor’s cause against Adanaspor this weekend. Adu’s team lost, 2-1, but he gave them a chance and it appears that they will earn promotion next season, partly thanks to Freddy’s sterling play.
Jon Bornstein did not feature but was in the 18 for Tigres, who defeated Atlas 3-0 this past weekend to earn the top seed in the 2011 Clausura playoffs.
Jose Francisco Torres started and played 55 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Necaxa this weekend. He’ll now wait on a longshot Gold Cup inclusion.
Herculez Gomez started and played the full 90 for Pachuca this weekend in the aforementioned draw with Necaxa. His Gold Cup inclusion is meritorious and likely at this point.
Edgar Castillo was not in the 18 for Puebla this weekend. That may or may not be why they were soundly defeated by Morelia.
Clarence Goodson played 90 in a 0-0 draw for Brondby over the weekend. Goodson seems to be settling into a starting role just in time to leave for the Gold Cup.
Chris Rolfe started at striker and played 68 minutes this weekend for Aalborg BK, who defeated Midtjylland 2-0 over the weekend. Rolfe is an interesting case—he’s a sometimes starter who has found the net abroad and seems to have found his form again—he wouldn’t seem to be a likely Gold Cup pick but we know that Bradley loves foreign-league players so we shouldn’t suggest it impossible.
Both Alejandro Bedoya and Mix Diskerud are starting 11 fixtures with their clubs. Only one will play in the Gold Cup.
Mik Diskerud started and played 90 minutes in the Norwegian Cup this weekend for Stabaek, who won 1-0 over a lower division side. It was the sixth start in as many opportunities for the Gold Cup hopeful, who has played 90 plus each time out. Too early to call him MixD 90…I guess, but at this rate…
Alejandro Bedoya started and played 90 in Orebro’s 1-0 loss to AIK Sunday. Like Diskerud, he is a fixture in his team’s starting eleven. Unlike Diskerud, he’s almost a lock for a Gold Cup spot, mainly because the US lacks options from width.
Conor Doyle (my step-nephew’s name) played 9 strong minutes for Derby County. Actually, I don’t know if they were strong or not, but I know that’s a strong name.
Got a comment? Send it to me….swampjankins@gmail.com. We can discuss. Otherwise, I will provide your season concluding post next week, reader. Its been real. www.twitter.com/swampjankins.com