12815_isi_agudelojuan_mlsack20130825128 Andrew Katsampes/isiphotos.com
ASN 100 Update

A Whirlwind Tour Around The USMNT Landscape

Sacha Kljestan scores a pair of goals, Juan Agudelo returns from Europe, a bunch of MLS-ers prepare to make their U.S. national team debut, and Joe Corona returns to action—perhaps just in time.
BY Josh Deaver Posted
January 27, 2015
10:40 AM
  • While he may have fallen off the ASN 100 for the time being, we still need to talk about Juan Agudelo. We all pretty much saw this coming, right? OK. Deep breathe to recap.

    After failing to secure paperwork required to fulfill his contract with Stoke City, a successful loan stint in Holland, losing his work permit appeal and contract, several unsuccessful trials, unsubstantiated tales of Cypriot real estate investment, more transfer rumors and, now, without a competitive match in nearly a year, new reports have Juan Agudelo returning to the suddenly loaded Eastern Conference champion New England Revolution. Despite the relatively soft landing, you can certainly feel for the struggle of the 21-year-old striker and his European ambitions. Nine months removed from competitive soccer, he will have to work his tail off to catch up with his Revolution teammates. Not sure, but I think he’ll probably be motivated.

  • Hey, here’s something you don’t see too much: Sacha Kljestan (ASN #29) scoring on unmarked tap-ins. Just kidding. Like six of his career-high eight goals last season looked fairly similar to the pair he turned in as part of Anderlecht’s 4-2 domestic cup win over Zulte-Waregem on Wednesday. With injuries hitting the Purple-White hard, Kljestan is seeing more playing time, including a 31-minute shift in a 2-0 loss against arch rivals Standard Ligue over the weekend. Is he still MLS bound for 2015?

  • Speaking of Standard Liege, here’s a three-story tifo by club ultras showing the decapitated head of Steven Defour—who played for the club more than five years ago. The reason? He signed with Anderlecht. Perfectly normal, perfectly healthy, right? I guess it “worked”. After a stoppage of play in the second half, Defour was sent off for kicking the ball (very hard) into the stands so…mission accomplished?

  • The famed “Most Mercurial American Abroad” title belt is back, nestled securely around the waist of Nottingham Forest defender Eric Lichaj (ASN #31). The Illinois native eithers kills it, or is subbed off after 20 minutes for getting scorched multiple times. [Checking lineup]. Oh, Forest played the right back on the left side again. That was dumb.

  • Here’s what else happened with your favorite English Championship clubs this week. On Saturday, Tim Ream (ASN #20) started and played 90 minutes for Bolton as the Wanderers held on for the replay in a scoreless FA Cup draw with Liverpool. Danny Williams (ASN #28) played 90 minutes in a 2-1 win over Cardiff City. And Jonathan Spector (ASN #52) was an unused sub for Birmingham City in a 2-1 loss to West Brom.

  • Olympic hopeful Will Packwood (ASN #58) is also back from injury. He returned to training with Colchester United this week, where he has been on loan from Birmingham City since December.

  • Just put it on paper and HOLY HELL does the U.S. national team need some viable playmakers. By my estimation, the No. 10 depth chart goes like this: Lee Nguyen—with his one cap in seven years; Michael Bradley out of position; Clint Dempsey out of position; a large gap; and Mix Diskerud. This is an issue.

    Enter Joe Corona (ASN #41). In his first match since breaking his foot, the 23-year-old banged in a bonita golazo during a 3-1 Copa MX win over Necaxa. American Olympic hopeful Alejandro Guido also added to the score line late on, picking up his first-ever professional goal in 20 minutes of action. Greg Garza (ASN #19) also started for the Xolos.

  • Hey, Jurgen. If you’re really thinking about using the 3-5-2, there is an underrated defender named Michael Orozco (ASN #43) who plays on the right side of a three-man backline all the time. The 28-year-old got the start for Puebla on Saturday, playing 90 minutes in a scoreless draw with Apertura champions, Club America in the Azteca. A recent addition to the ASN 100, Arizona-born defender Ventura Alvarado (ASN #66), played the final 28 minutes. Currently last place in the relegation table, Puebla badly need a lot of points this season. #analysis

  • If you can handle any more HOT PUEBLA TALK, Herculez Gomez (ASN #63) scored his second goal of the season in a 2-0 Copa MX win over Atlante on Tuesday.

  • In a weekend friendly in super-not-friendly Qatar against Manchester City—even after using eight substitutions—Julian Green (ASN #27) still did not get off the bench for Hamburg in a 2-0 loss. If you’re keeping track, he has not played a competitive minute since November. Oof. Hey, remember the good ‘ol pre-World Cup days?

  • Although not traveling with the U.S. national team to Chile (a roster which includes first-time appearances from Wil Trapp (ASN #28), Gyasi Zardes (#32), Perry Kitchen (#35), Matt Hedges (ASN #42), Steve Birnbaum (ASN #64) and Dillon Serna (ASN #78), Liverpool reservist Marc Pelosi (ASN #97) will remain in the Los Angeles area and rejoin the national team prior to a February 8th match with Panama.

    MLS Preseason roundup

  • Graham Zusi (ASN #21) has a stress fracture in his foot and an unknown timetable for return.

  • Bill Hamid (ASN #22) is currently rehabbing a shoulder injury, but is expected to return for CONCACAF Champions League in late February. Steven Goff is also reporting overseas interest from clubs in England and Italy.

  • It’s unofficially official that New England centerback A.J Soares (ASN #88) heading to Italy where he will likely sign with Hellas Verona of Serie A.

  • Finally, [Jurgen voice] a huge compliment is in order for the ASN 100-represented members (and the rest of ‘em, too) of the U.S. under-20 national team, which qualified for this Summer’s World Cup on Saturday following a 2-0 win over El Salvador. Despite a shaky start to qualifying, goals from Ben Spencer and Paul Arriola (ASN #65) were enough to see the group through in this weekend’s decisive match. Eligible players not included for this roster: Among others, Rubio Rubin (ASN #25) and shiny new toy Gedion Zelalem.

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