MB 90 made a solid debut for 10 man Villa this weekend.
By Dru Boyer
Fancy to see you back here again. I know it has been so long since you last took some time out of your busy schedule to skim through my ramblings in your search for Yanks Abroad highlights, thanks for returning. It feels good to be back…and the site redesign looks damn good. Props to @gnatmiseman on the new TYAC logo, which is coming soon…you’re gonna want a shirt, trust me.
Aston Villa @ Blackpool 2/12/11
Blackpool only managed one shot on goal, but it slipped past Friedel in the 14th minute to tie the score 1-1. MB90 made his Aston Villa debut in the 73rd minute, 3 minutes after the Villans had been reduced to 10 men, in a 1-1 match…on the road. After the game, Junior personally thanked Gerard Houllier for easing him into EPL action and was overheard mumbling about how his father was actually the first choice for the Villa job. That was a total lie, Houllier was pleased with MB90’s (limited) minutes…start him Gerard, its MB90 not MB17.
West Ham @ West Brom 2/12/11
Specs entered in the 78th minute, and a mere 5 minutes later West Ham found an equilzer for a 3-3 draw. Spector also managed to pick up a yellow card in his 12 minutes of action. West Ham’s bid to move into London’s Olympic Stadium was recommended by the Olympic Legacy Committee over Tottenham’s proposal, making the Hammers the clear cut favorite to move in after the 2012 games. I have heard, however, that Leyton Orient thinks it should receive the honor of playing in the Olympic Stadium and is making a late push. The fact that they are a league one side (one league below the Hammers shortly??) who have played one year of EPL football ever shouldn’t stop them, they’ve argued. In their defense, Brisbane Road is falling down, falling down…and they’ve gotten the prime minister involved. Cheeky, as they’d say overseas. Fish and chips.
Blackburn v. Newcastle 2/12/11
Jermaine Jones played all 90 minutes of a 0-0 draw. Hopefully, Jones can talk his fellow German-American, Timothy Chandler into playing for the USMNT. Mr. Chandler, consider this an open invitation to join me at Oktoberfest in Cincinnati each and every year to celebrate your German heritage…should you desire to suit up for the Red, White and Blue.
Rangers v. Motherwell 2/12/11
Mo Edu entered during the 70th minute and the ‘Gers were well on the way to destroying Motherwell, 6-0. Half of the goal output came from Edu’s best friend and teammate, Nikici Jelavic…one of those statements is definitely correct and I cannot confirm the other. The Rangers will now play 5 games in 12 days, which will certainly test their depth and intestinal fortitude.
St. Etienne v. Lyon 2/12/11
Bocanegra scored the lone goal in the 4-1 defeat. Boca guided home a free kick in the 13th minute to give the home side the early lead, however they fell behind 2-1 before the halftime whistle. The victory sent Lyon into a 4th place tie and St. Etienne 3 points behind in 6th place. St. Etienne will need to work themselves back into the top 4 if Boca is going to get to play in the Champions or Europa League next season.
Anderlecht v. Cercle Brugge 2/12/11
Sacha Kljestan came on in the 89th minute of a 1-0 victory. Kljestan’s teammate and mid-field partner, Lucas Biglia, made his international debut for Argentina.Sacha’s playing time has decreased a bit since a torrid start and you wonder where he is on Bob Bradley’s mental depth chart. He can be brilliant but his lack of consistency is maddening.
FC Twente v. Vitesse 2/12/11
Oguchi Onyewu went all 90 minutes in the 1-0 win…that feels good to type. In addition, Twente has not lost since adding Onyewu and currently sit in a 1st place tie with PSV Eindhoven. The Gooch is loose, look out ladies of Enschede. Hide yo kids, hide yo wife.
Bolton v. Everton 2/13/11
Stu Holden and Bolton defeated Howard and Everton 2-0. Holden ran all 90, taking the free kick that lead to the opening goal. Stu was also robbed of a goal in the second half as the ball was ruled to have crossed the touch line before Holden finished, it did not. Timmy H made only one save in the match while giving up both a 1st and 2nd half goal. However, Jan Mucha (Everton’s back-up backstop), will be looking to make a move after the conclusion of the season due to lack of playing time…you’re behind Timmy Howard, what did you expect broseph? Mucha started in the World Cup—so sitting in the Prem must be tough but again…you signed with Everton, guy.
Hannover 96 @ Bremen 2/13/11
Captain Steve Cherundolo never took a rest and DaMarcus Beasley was never active in the 1-1 draw. If the season were to end today, Steve and DaMarcus would be one point shy of qualifying for Champions League play. Beasley hasn’t seen the field since the calendar flipped to 2011. Put him on the field Hannover!! Championship.
Chelsea v. Fulham 2/14/11
Dempsey played all 90, however he will not be remembered as the hero today. In the 3rd and final stoppage time minute, Deuce missed a PK and then followed with a errant scissor-kick put back attempt in a 0-0 draw. Dempsey looked to have secured the role of last minute savior once again for the Cottagers, but this time he failed to produce. Dempsey did score a late goal in his previous match to earn a point for Fulham at Aston Villa.
Bonus Yanks
Ricardo Clark was not active for Frankfurt
Eric Lichaj went all 90 in his Leeds debut.
Guzan pitched a shutout against Eddie Johnson.
What do you guys think of the new site and TYAC logo (provided it is up on the page)? What match-ups are you looking forward to over the weekend?
Feel free to contact Dru Boyer with questions/comments/hate mail (140 characters max) on Twitter, @SwampJankins.