Glasgow Rangers @ St. Johnstone (3-30-10)
The Scottish Premier League leading Rangers lost 4-1 on the road against the Saints. DaMarcus Beasley did not appear in the match. However, he is hopeful to resolve his expiring contract before the World Cup. Maurice Edu came on at the half and got off a shot and took a couple fouls. After the game, Edu swore to himself that next time he started he would make a difference in the result.
Fulham v. VfL Wolfsburg (4-1-10)
Clint Dempsey put a pair of shots on goal, but failed to score in 90 minutes as Fulham won 2-1 in the first leg of their Europa League match-up. Wolfsburg did manage an 89th minute away goal, which may come back to haunt Fulham, or it may not (either way I’ll let you know next week). Dempsey also scolded West Ham for treading on him.
Aston Villa @ Bolton Wanderers (4-3-10)
Brad Friedel and the Villans got the 1-0 win at Bolton. Friedel bounced back from his awful performance last week to make 5 saves and record a shut-out on the road. I’m just not much of a Friedel fan, so don’t expect much news on him. Stuart Holden is still injured for Bolton.
Hull City @ Stoke City (4-3-10)
Jozy Altidore came on in the 64th minute in the 2-0 loss. Altidore’s US teammate, Clint Dempsey, heaped some praise on Hull’s young forward this week. Iain Dowie, Altidore’s manager at Hull also had some very positive things to say, but noted that Jozy needed to “get a bit of the devil in his stomach.” I took care of it, mailed him a bottle of Two Fingers tequila and a week old Taco Bell shrimp taco. Or maybe that is to get the devil out of your stomach.
Glasgow Rangers v. Hamilton Academical (4-3-10)
Maurice Edu scored 11 minutes into the match, on Heroes and Legends day no less, to keep his promise to himself in the Rangers 1-0 win. DaMarcus Beasley was available but did not play. Despite his game winner, Edu knew that this was not a ‘Gers performance for the ages.
Borussia M’gladbach @ VfB Stuttgart (4-3-10)
Michael Bradley returned from his broken nose and yellow card suspension to play all but three minutes in the 2-1 loss. One time in a baseball tournament I returned the day after breaking my nose, I had not received any yellow cards.
Everton v. West Ham United (4-4-10)
Tim Howard made four saves, including stopping a penalty kick as Everton and West Ham tied 2-2. Jonathan Spector played all 90 minutes for West Ham, however his misguided header lead to the first of Everton’s goals. The draw pushes West Ham one point above the bottom three in the Premiership’s race to avoid relegation.
Fulham @ Wigan Athletic (4-4-10)
Clint Dempsey started, shot twice, and played the full 90 in the 2-1 Fulham win. This marks Dempsey’s third consecutive 90 minute performance in the last 8 days. In addition to putting my your sex life to shame, Dempsey has proven that he is over his January knee injury.
The Eddie and Freddy show did not air this week in Greece, as Aris had the week off.
Injured Player News
Bolton believes Stu Holden will appear before the end of the season.
With the recent injury to Brian Ching, Charlie Davies‘ recovery becomes that much more important to the Americans heading into the World Cup.
Dru Boyer is a contributing writer for The Yanks Are Coming. He can be reached at dboyer1122@gmail.com or on Twitter @druboyer.