ASN 100 Update
Altidore Keeps Scoring, Boyd is Back and Balling
Jozy Altidore, Terrence Boyd, and Andrew Wooten all scored goals for their clubs, while defenders Michael Parkhurst and Edgar Castillo struggled in their most recent outings.
Jozy Altidore—ASN rank #4
Another game, another goal for Jozy Altidore. The AZ striker tallied his 16th league goal of the year in a 2-2 draw against Roda JC on Saturday. In the 34th minute, Altidore received the ball at the top of the 18-yard box, turning and hitting an excellent low driving shot which skipped past the goal keeper to tie the game late in the first half. Altidore is riding an incredible wave of form in Holland which, as of late, has not translated to goals for the national team. In the time since his last goal for the U.S., over 15 months ago, Altidore has netted an incredible 31 times for AZ. Landon Donovan—ASN rank #8
The Los Angeles Galaxy announced Sunday that Landon Donovan is expected to make his return for the club in March. “We have agreed to allow Landon to remain on an extended leave of absence and return to training with the team during the final week of March,” Galaxy Head Coach Bruce Arena said. “We understand this arrangement is not ideal, but we are confident it will allow Landon the time he needs to be both mentally and physically prepared for the upcoming season.” With the U.S. national team scheduled to play March World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica and Mexico, this timetable makes it highly unlikely that the all-time U.S. goal scorer will return to fold for those crucial fixtures. Timothy Chandler—ASN rank #10
The recently cap-tied defender started and played 90 minutes for FC Nuremburg on Saturday, delivering the game-tying assist in a 2-2 draw with Hannover. Chandler was active on the right wing throughout the night and helped lead a late offensive push that resulted in the equalizing goal. One minute into stoppage time, Chandler received the ball wide before hitting a pin-point cross that bounced in front of the keeper before Sebastian Polter converted to steal a point. Sacha Kljestan—ASN rank #13
Kljestan continued his excellent form for Anderlecht on Friday, playing 76 minutes and delivering an assist in a 2-0 win over Sporting Charleroi. In the 40th minute, Kljestan played through Massimo Bruno in the box who emphatically buried the chance. Since losing 2-1 to Charleroi in late October, the Purple and Whites are riding a 21-game unbeaten streak in Belgian competition, sitting 8 points clear in the league while boasting a massive +46 goal differential. Terrence Boyd—ASN rank #16
On Tuesday, the 22-year old capped off Rapid Vienna's preseason by scoring in the club’s final fixture, a 2-0 friendly victory over Slovakian side Ruzomberok. In the return to Austrian Bundesliga action on the weekend, Boyd came off the bench and played 25 minutes in a 2-1 derby loss to league leaders Austria Vienna. Michael Parkhurst—ASN rank #19
On Saturday, the former Nordsjaelland defender received his first start of the season for FC Augsburg in a 2-1 loss to Bayern Leverkusen. Overall, it was a shaky debut for the American, who was beaten on a header in the 26th minute for the game’s opening goal. In the attack, the 29-year old had an excellent chance at goal late in the match, only to have the shot saved. The loss keeps Augsburg in the bottom two of the Bundesliga table. Edgar Castillo—ASN rank #30
It was not a great week for the Xolos’ American contingent. In Friday’s 2-0 loss to Jaguares, defender Edgar Castillo picked up two yellow cards in 48 minutes, conceding a penalty kick for the game's decisive goal. Compatriot Joe Corona, who also started for Tijuana, was replaced at half time after an ineffective first half. Alejandro Bedoya—ASN rank #46
In an expected move, Alejandro Bedoya has signed a new short-term contract this week to remain with Helsingsborg IF in the Swedish Allsvenskan. Since joining the club last season, the 25-year old has featured in 15 matches, scoring three goals in all competitions. Bedoya is with the team in Portugal this week, where it is preparing for the March 3rd debut of the 2013 campaign. Alfredo Morales—ASN rank #75
Fresh off his time with the U.S. national team, Morales has seemingly responded to Klinsmann’s challenge to make an impact at the club level. On Saturday, the 22-year old received his first start of the year for Hertha Berlin in a 1-0 victory over Aalen. Morales has played frequently this season as a starter for the club’s reserve side in the German fourth division, scoring 3 goals in 10 appearances, but has not featured for the first team since February 2012. Fellow American John Anthony Brooks also started and played 90 minutes in the win. Andrew Wooten—ASN rank #91
The former U-23 forward scored his fourth goal of the season on Saturday for 2.Bundesliga side Sandhausen in a 3-1 loss to Dresden. Off a counterattack in the 57th minute, the ball was played to Wooten in the box, who hit a fabulous half-volley for his team’s only goal. The loss puts a struggling Sandhausen in the bottom two of the German second division, who currently sit 5 points from safety. On the bright side, Wooten was named to the 2.Bundesliga team of the week on Wednesday, along with fellow American Bobby Wood of Munich 1860. QUICK NOTES:
In his first match under new head coach Aurelio Andreazzoli, Michael Bradley (#1) came off the bench and played 22 minutes in Roma’s 1-0 win over league leaders Juventus. Both Clint Dempsey (#2) and Brad Friedel (#32) received the start for Tottenham Hotspur in its 2-1 win over Lyon in Europa League play on Thursday. Dempsey had a very inconsistent afternoon before being subbed off in the 67th minute. Although he was not included in the roster on the weekend against Nottingham Forest, it was reported this week that Stuart Holden (#23) appears on the verge of making a first team Bolton roster. Maurice Edu (#29) continues to receive consistent playing time for Bursaspor, playing 90 minutes and picking up a yellow card in Sunday’s victory against Elazigspor. Josh Deaver is a former academic turned soccer obsessive. Follow him @USFootballGuy for daily updates.
Another game, another goal for Jozy Altidore. The AZ striker tallied his 16th league goal of the year in a 2-2 draw against Roda JC on Saturday. In the 34th minute, Altidore received the ball at the top of the 18-yard box, turning and hitting an excellent low driving shot which skipped past the goal keeper to tie the game late in the first half. Altidore is riding an incredible wave of form in Holland which, as of late, has not translated to goals for the national team. In the time since his last goal for the U.S., over 15 months ago, Altidore has netted an incredible 31 times for AZ. Landon Donovan—ASN rank #8
The Los Angeles Galaxy announced Sunday that Landon Donovan is expected to make his return for the club in March. “We have agreed to allow Landon to remain on an extended leave of absence and return to training with the team during the final week of March,” Galaxy Head Coach Bruce Arena said. “We understand this arrangement is not ideal, but we are confident it will allow Landon the time he needs to be both mentally and physically prepared for the upcoming season.” With the U.S. national team scheduled to play March World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica and Mexico, this timetable makes it highly unlikely that the all-time U.S. goal scorer will return to fold for those crucial fixtures. Timothy Chandler—ASN rank #10
The recently cap-tied defender started and played 90 minutes for FC Nuremburg on Saturday, delivering the game-tying assist in a 2-2 draw with Hannover. Chandler was active on the right wing throughout the night and helped lead a late offensive push that resulted in the equalizing goal. One minute into stoppage time, Chandler received the ball wide before hitting a pin-point cross that bounced in front of the keeper before Sebastian Polter converted to steal a point. Sacha Kljestan—ASN rank #13
Kljestan continued his excellent form for Anderlecht on Friday, playing 76 minutes and delivering an assist in a 2-0 win over Sporting Charleroi. In the 40th minute, Kljestan played through Massimo Bruno in the box who emphatically buried the chance. Since losing 2-1 to Charleroi in late October, the Purple and Whites are riding a 21-game unbeaten streak in Belgian competition, sitting 8 points clear in the league while boasting a massive +46 goal differential. Terrence Boyd—ASN rank #16
On Tuesday, the 22-year old capped off Rapid Vienna's preseason by scoring in the club’s final fixture, a 2-0 friendly victory over Slovakian side Ruzomberok. In the return to Austrian Bundesliga action on the weekend, Boyd came off the bench and played 25 minutes in a 2-1 derby loss to league leaders Austria Vienna. Michael Parkhurst—ASN rank #19
On Saturday, the former Nordsjaelland defender received his first start of the season for FC Augsburg in a 2-1 loss to Bayern Leverkusen. Overall, it was a shaky debut for the American, who was beaten on a header in the 26th minute for the game’s opening goal. In the attack, the 29-year old had an excellent chance at goal late in the match, only to have the shot saved. The loss keeps Augsburg in the bottom two of the Bundesliga table. Edgar Castillo—ASN rank #30
It was not a great week for the Xolos’ American contingent. In Friday’s 2-0 loss to Jaguares, defender Edgar Castillo picked up two yellow cards in 48 minutes, conceding a penalty kick for the game's decisive goal. Compatriot Joe Corona, who also started for Tijuana, was replaced at half time after an ineffective first half. Alejandro Bedoya—ASN rank #46
In an expected move, Alejandro Bedoya has signed a new short-term contract this week to remain with Helsingsborg IF in the Swedish Allsvenskan. Since joining the club last season, the 25-year old has featured in 15 matches, scoring three goals in all competitions. Bedoya is with the team in Portugal this week, where it is preparing for the March 3rd debut of the 2013 campaign. Alfredo Morales—ASN rank #75
Fresh off his time with the U.S. national team, Morales has seemingly responded to Klinsmann’s challenge to make an impact at the club level. On Saturday, the 22-year old received his first start of the year for Hertha Berlin in a 1-0 victory over Aalen. Morales has played frequently this season as a starter for the club’s reserve side in the German fourth division, scoring 3 goals in 10 appearances, but has not featured for the first team since February 2012. Fellow American John Anthony Brooks also started and played 90 minutes in the win. Andrew Wooten—ASN rank #91
The former U-23 forward scored his fourth goal of the season on Saturday for 2.Bundesliga side Sandhausen in a 3-1 loss to Dresden. Off a counterattack in the 57th minute, the ball was played to Wooten in the box, who hit a fabulous half-volley for his team’s only goal. The loss puts a struggling Sandhausen in the bottom two of the German second division, who currently sit 5 points from safety. On the bright side, Wooten was named to the 2.Bundesliga team of the week on Wednesday, along with fellow American Bobby Wood of Munich 1860. QUICK NOTES:
In his first match under new head coach Aurelio Andreazzoli, Michael Bradley (#1) came off the bench and played 22 minutes in Roma’s 1-0 win over league leaders Juventus. Both Clint Dempsey (#2) and Brad Friedel (#32) received the start for Tottenham Hotspur in its 2-1 win over Lyon in Europa League play on Thursday. Dempsey had a very inconsistent afternoon before being subbed off in the 67th minute. Although he was not included in the roster on the weekend against Nottingham Forest, it was reported this week that Stuart Holden (#23) appears on the verge of making a first team Bolton roster. Maurice Edu (#29) continues to receive consistent playing time for Bursaspor, playing 90 minutes and picking up a yellow card in Sunday’s victory against Elazigspor. Josh Deaver is a former academic turned soccer obsessive. Follow him @USFootballGuy for daily updates.
