EDITORS NOTE: This piece covers the games, including both EPL fixture dates, of Americans Abroad leading up to this past weekend. Dru will be back with a piece covering the weekend before the international break later in the week. Thanks.
Villarreal @ PAOK Salonika 11/4/10
Jozy Altidore played the first 61 minutes in the 1-0 Europa League loss. It should be noted that the Salonika goal did not come until the 70th minute, after Jozy had hit the showers. Jozy did not appear in the 4-1 victory over the weekend.
Anderlecht @ AEK Athens 11/4/10
Sacha Kljestan went all 90 in the 1-1 Europa League draw. I couldn’t really find much literature about this game, so instead check out a year old video of Kljestan …with a twist for today’s youth soccer fan!
Shalke v. St. Pauli 11/5/10
Jermaine Jones ‘ was held out of Shalke’s Champion’s League 0-0 draw at Hapoel Tel Aviv, due to an ankle injury. But he recovered to start, play all but 9 minutes, and pick up a yellow in Shalke’s 3-0 victory.
Aston Villa @ Fulham 11/6/10
Brad Friedel and Deuce Dempsey both started and finished the 1-1 draw, while Eddie Johnson spent the match on the sideline. Friedel made 4 saves, half of which came against Dempsey, but he failed to stop a 90th minute effort from Brede Hangeland. Dempsey got off a total of 5 shots and also took a foul in 90 minutes.
Bolton v. Tottenham 11/6/10
Stu Holden was profiled before the match and then went out and laid it on the line for 90 minutes in a match that got a crazy late, with 4 goals coming after the 76th minute. However, Bolton hung on for the 4-2 win.
Everton @ Blackpool 11/6/10
Tim Howard and the Toffees went on the road and came away with a 2-2 draw. Timmy H made a pair of saves, including a finger tipper that prevented a total disaster on the road. Everton are currently sitting in the 12 spot in the EPL.
Borussia M’gladbach v. Bayern Munich 11/6/10
MB90 and his fellow Gladbachians nearly pulled off the upset, before giving up an 84th minute equalizer to Philipp Lahm. I actually watched the majority of this game, believe it or not, and I must admit that I am quite impressed with the picture quality that ESPN3 can provide. I could see the reflection of the crowd off of Bradley’s dome. I honestly thought that M’gladbach was going to pull the upset, but they find ways to lose…just like my Cincinnati Bengals, who suck.
Rangers @ St. Mirren 11/7/10
Mo Edu took a pair of shots, one of which was on goal, in the 3-1 victory. The ‘Gers managed 3 goals in 20 minutes, with the help of a 48th minute own goal against the cellar dwelling St. Mirren. Edu is happy that the games are coming thick and fast right now…get your mind our of the gutter. With the way Edu is playing, he is practically daring me to purchase a Rangers jersey.
Hannover v. Borussia Dortmund 11/7/10
Steve Cherundolo and DaMarcus Beasley got a 4-0 beating at home. Cherundolo was on the pitch for all 4 goals, Beasley only for the final 3. It took all of 11 minutes for the table leading visitors to take the lead and Dortmund went on to cruise through the 2nd half. The loss drops Hannover to 10th, but they are still 8 points clear of the relegation zone.
Anderlecht v. Club Brugge 11/7/10
Sacha Kljestan played another 90 minutes and again Anderlect came away with a draw…this time 2-2. Kljestan’s Klub was eliminated from the Belgium Cup in a 1-0 loss at Westerlo 3 days later.
Aston Villa v. Blackpool 11/10/10
Friedel gave up a pair of goals in a 3-2 win at Villa Park. Friedel fans everywhere can email their questions to Friedel before this Sunday, I asked Friedel if he or Brad Guzan would win in an arm wrestling match. Elsewhere, young American side back Eric Lichaj collected his first actual minutes in a premier league fixture after featuring throughout Villa’s Carling Cup and brief Europa Cup matches. All accounts are that he acquitted himself nicely.
Everton v. Bolton 11/10/10
Howard and Holden both went the full 90 and their respective clubs battled to a 1-1 draw. Holden’s takeaway from a lazy Phil Jagielka in the Everton midfield led to the build-up creating the Bolton opener, but Everton’s Jermaine Beckford finally found the back of the net in the EPL in stoppage time to tie the match at one. Headed into the Arsenal match, which they lost, Timmy Howard and Everton have not been beaten in seven games. Stu Holden thinks that “Last min goals R gut wrenching!!”. I agree.
Fulham @ Chelsea 11/10/10
Dempsey started alongside Dembele in a 4-4-2 (according to ESPN), and The Cottagers fell 1-0 in foggy London town (worst quality video ever, broseph).
Rangers v. Hibernian 11/10/10
In the worst news of the week, Edu was taken off the field on a stretcher and his club lost 3-0, making their 2nd loss in their last 3 matches. Reports out of Glasgow this weekend, however, were that Maurice’s injury was mild and the midfielder should return in a month. That’s the best possible news for a Yank who is debatably having the best season of any American abroad.
Villarreal v. Poli 11/10/10
Jozy netted a 90th minute goal in a 2-0 victory at Camp El Madrigal, which is Spanish for The House That Jozy Built.
Kentucky basketball started Friday with a victory, I’m excited. Until next week at some point…truly yours.
If you like other sports beyond just soccer, Betting Expert gives you tennis tips.
Dru Boyer is a staff writer for The Yanks Are Coming. He can be reached at dru@yanksarecoming.com, and you can follow him on Twitter at @SwampJankins.