Edu's late heroics sent Rangers into the next round of Europa play.
By Dru Boyer
In a week that saw a majority of Yanks get it done for 90 minutes a match, many of our heroes failed to convert the 3 point opportunity. Additionally, this week featured temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to mid-20s in Northern Kentucky…so I’ve had to take the good with the bad. Some big Europa League matches also took place Thursday for three US Internationals, and Maurice Edu played the role of hero/assassin sending Rangers through in the last minutes with a grinding, tap in goal.
Hannover v. Kaiserslautern 2/19/11
Captain Steve (CS90?) ran all 90 minutes in the 3-0 Hannover win. They now find themselves 1 point behind Bayern Munich for Champions League qualifying. Hannover squares off with Bayern at home on Saturday March 5th…I will be going to a wedding that day, so I likely will not be following along.
St. Etienne @ Marseille 2/19/11
Carlos Bocanegra went the full 90 for St. Etienne, yet the match resulted in a 2-1 loss. Boca and crew have slipped to seventh place after their (brief) quick start to the season. Here is to hoping they find a way to regain some momentum.
Fulham v Bolton 2/20/11
Clint Dempsey and Stu Holden both put in 90+ in a 1-0 FA Cup victory for Bolton at the Cottage. Deuce managed to shake off a toe injury, as demonstrated here…while recording 6 shot attempts. I love that he always gets his. Stuart Holden (that lad that has blond hair and plays for Bolton) recorded a stoppage time yellow.
Rangers @ Celtic 2/20/11
Mo Edu went all 90…Celtic win 3-0 and are looking like they will take the SPL crown, with an eight point edge (although ‘Gers have two games in hand). More importantly, when BBC Sport needed a quote regarding Ally McCoist becoming the new Gers boss, who do they go to? Maurice Edu. They know who runs shit. Even though the announcement comes after a disheartening defeat, Rangers’ brass does not want you to believe it is a knee jerk reaction. Yeah right.
Twente v. NEC 2/20/11
Gooch all 90 and picked up a 38th minute yellow in a 1-1 draw. Onyewu is one of 3 Yanks Abroad, along with Edu and Kljestan who were in action on Thursday in the Europa League. Before the matches, I decided to take Gooch and Edu to win…2 outta 3 ain’t bad.
Anderlecht @ Westerlo 2/20/11
Sacha Kljestan participated in the 1st half of Anderlecht’s 2-0 loss. Not surprisingly, both of Westerlo’s goals came in the second half. Anderlecht sit in a tie for 1st place and a trip to the Champions League, 7 points clear of Europa League play.
Bonus Yanks
Eric Lichaj played 180 minutes over the course of the last week for Leeds, in a pair of draws. Like two tied matches…he wore shorts too.
Brad Guzan made 9 saves and gave up 2 goals in two games.
Eddie Johnson got a pair of starts for Preston and put a shot on goal.
It is late at night; Kentucky lost on the road in heartbreaking fashion…again, and I am sleepy as hell. Good luck to the Yanks Abroad this weekend and good night.
Feel free to contact me with questions/comments/hate mail (140 characters max) on Twitter, @SwampJankin