ASN 100 Update
Aron Johannsson Is a Stud; Joya, Bruin Both Get Goals
WIth Major League Soccer back in action, and no fewer than 57 of its athletes in the latest ASN 100, there's plenty of domestic action to report on in Josh Deaver's weekly update.
Landon Donovan—ASN rank #2
Coming into the season tied for most goals in MLS history, it is a foregone conclusion that Donovan will easily pass Jeff Cunningham’s record. Hanging over his head since tying the mark last October, Donovan recently commented on his quest for history. “Is it important? Yeah, it is. It means something to me. But I'll be glad when it's over, to be honest, so I can just get back to focusing.” Donovan tried to get the story out of the way early against Real Salt Lake on Saturday, but thanks to the heroics of Nick Rimando, who stuffed a 1v1 attempt in the 38th minute, he will have to wait. Busy with CONCACAF Champions League duty, Donovan will have his next chance in a rematch with RSL on March 22. Jozy Altidore—ASN rank #6
Step back from the ledge, American supporters. Altidore was not left off the gameday roster for Sunderland’s 3-0 FA Cup loss to Hull City this weekend, but rather did not travel with the club due to illness. At least his slump isn’t as bad as you thought, right? After sitting out of recent training sessions, Altidore is scheduled to rejoin his teammates ahead of this weekend’s relegation six-pointer with Crystal Palace. Seemingly still in the managers plans with only 12 matches remaining before the World Cup, Altidore needs to make an impact if he hopes to keep Sunderland, and himself, in the Premier League next season. Aron Johannsson—ASN rank #7
Never has a nickname been more apropos. Aron Johannsson took his passing resemblance to young Kevin Bacon one step further this weekend— putting on his dancing shoes and sashaying his way to a brace for AZ Alkmaar in a 4-0 win over Heracles. AZ struck first in the 16th minute through Johannsson, who delicately popped up and heavy pass in the box before finishing past the keeper on the half volley.
Aron Johannsson by goalsandmore The 23-year old doubled the lead 11 minutes later with some more fancy footwork. With his back to goal at the top of the six-yard box, he danced between two defenders before adding insult to injury by freezing the helpless keeper with a final clever touch. With the two strikes, Johannsson pushes his season total to 24 in all competitions—and now needs only 7 goals in the final 10 matches to tie Altidore’s record for European goals scored by an American international.
Aron Johannsson2 by goalsandmore Clint Dempsey—ASN rank #8
In a grinding open to the 2014 MLS regular season, the Seattle Sounders defeated Sporting KC, 1-0, on Saturday thanks to a stoppage-time goal. On a late breakaway, Sounders rookie Sean Okoli sent a last-second cross into the box which eventually fell to the head of Clint Dempsey, whose headed effort caromed off the crossbar. Dempsey swung wildly at the rebound in the ensuing goal-mouth scramble, but instead it was journeyman forward Chad Barrett who was able to finally score. As Barrett wheeled away to celebrate his late strike, the disappointment on Dempsey’s face was palpable. He had it. Three inches lower and Dempsey’s poor run of from for Fulham and national team would have been put squarely in the rearview mirror. Instead, the drought—by Dempsey’s standards, at least—continues. The spotlight only gets brighter from here as Seattle Sounders take on Michael Bradley and Toronto FC in a highly anticipated tilt next Saturday. Nick Rimando—ASN rank #19
Call him ‘the Gymnast," because he is always standing on his head. Nick Rimando was a brick wall between the pipes for Real Salt Lake on Saturday, registering nine saves in a 1-0 season-opening win over the Los Angeles Galaxy. Tested all night, the ultimate moment came in the final minute of stoppage time when newly acquired Galaxy striker Rob Friend drew a more-than-generous penalty ruling after a dive in the box. Someone forgot to tell him that stopping penalties is Rimando’s specialty. With a quick dive to the right, the 34-year-old easily snuffed out Robbie Keane’s ensuing attempt from the spot to secure the first three points of the season for RSL—not to mention MLS Player of the Week honors for himself. Jose Torres—ASN rank #31
Making his first league start since October, Jose Torres found his way back on the score sheet for UANL Tigres on Sunday in a 3-0 win over Cruz Azul. With his team ahead in the 83rd minute, Torres received a pass on the left side of the box and delivered a low-driving, bouncing effort past the Azul keeper to seal the three points. After a rocky start to the Clasura campaign, Tigres is now unbeaten in its last nine matches. Brek Shea—ASN rank #40
On Monday morning, English Championship side Barnsley made the surprising decision to end Brek Shea’s loan spell a full three weeks ahead of schedule. Barnsley was curt in its explanation, but the move likely stems from an incident that occurred prior to the international break, where Shea reportedly delivered a lewd gesture to some Barnsley supporters who were involved in an altercation with a teammate. Shea later apologized, but the damage appears to have been irreparable. Given his output of late, not to mention an early dismissal from the last-place Championship club, it would be hard to imagine Shea seeing much time with Stoke City, who jettisoned the 23-year-old on loan when it became apparent he was not breaking into the first (or second) team lineup. Eric Lichaj—ASN rank #41
The 25-year-old Nottingham Forrest defender is on the shelf once again, reportedly still suffering from a pelvic problem that forced him to be subbed off at halftime in a match with Wigan Athletic last week. While hernia surgery was an option that had been tabled during Lichaj’s previous injury spell early in the year, the club is reportedly concerned that the procedure is now an inevitability considering the persistent nature of his injury. Recovery timetable would be one month. Currently sitting sixth, the club takes on Middlesboro on Tuesday. Will Bruin—ASN rank #45
Last season Will Bruin was one of the most important players in MLS. Despite questions of efficiency, Bruin was only one of six players with at least 10 goals and 7 assists to his name. The others are a Who’s Who of top MLS playmakers: Donovan, Thierry Henry, Keane, Federico Higuain, and Diego Valeri. Quite simply, Houston wins when Bruin is scoring, and Saturday night’s season opener was no different. Getting the start, Bruin opened his 2014 account in emphatic fashion, scoring two goals and assisting on another in a 4-0 win over New England. Houston opened the scoring only 60 seconds in when Bruin corralled a Boniek Garcia cross and delivered a side-footed volley to send the hometown Houston crowd into rapture. Eleven minutes later, it was Bruin again who turned in a pinpoint delivery from Corey Ashe at the far post to make it 2-0. In the 23rd minute, Bruin played facilitator, drawing in the Revs backline off a midfield run before finding a streaking Garcia to make it a three-goal advantage for the home side. Benji Joya—ASN rank #99
First match, first touch, first goal. Only 47 seconds after entering for the Chicago Fire against Chivas USA, Benji Joya found himself unmarked on the back post to tap in a deflected shot from Alex for his first MLS goal. Modest in his celebration, the goal pulled Chicago back into the match after being largely bossed by the Goats. The Fire would eventually draw even, before conceding a late Chivas goal and falling 3-2. After the match Joya commented on his debut: “All I’ve been putting in my mind is to hopefully get the debut and get my name on the score sheet,” the 20-year-old said. “Luckily the first touch I had today turned into a goal. I’m really proud of that.” ASN Contributing Editor Josh Deaver is a former academic turned soccer obsessive. Follow him on Twitter already.
Coming into the season tied for most goals in MLS history, it is a foregone conclusion that Donovan will easily pass Jeff Cunningham’s record. Hanging over his head since tying the mark last October, Donovan recently commented on his quest for history. “Is it important? Yeah, it is. It means something to me. But I'll be glad when it's over, to be honest, so I can just get back to focusing.” Donovan tried to get the story out of the way early against Real Salt Lake on Saturday, but thanks to the heroics of Nick Rimando, who stuffed a 1v1 attempt in the 38th minute, he will have to wait. Busy with CONCACAF Champions League duty, Donovan will have his next chance in a rematch with RSL on March 22. Jozy Altidore—ASN rank #6
Step back from the ledge, American supporters. Altidore was not left off the gameday roster for Sunderland’s 3-0 FA Cup loss to Hull City this weekend, but rather did not travel with the club due to illness. At least his slump isn’t as bad as you thought, right? After sitting out of recent training sessions, Altidore is scheduled to rejoin his teammates ahead of this weekend’s relegation six-pointer with Crystal Palace. Seemingly still in the managers plans with only 12 matches remaining before the World Cup, Altidore needs to make an impact if he hopes to keep Sunderland, and himself, in the Premier League next season. Aron Johannsson—ASN rank #7
Never has a nickname been more apropos. Aron Johannsson took his passing resemblance to young Kevin Bacon one step further this weekend— putting on his dancing shoes and sashaying his way to a brace for AZ Alkmaar in a 4-0 win over Heracles. AZ struck first in the 16th minute through Johannsson, who delicately popped up and heavy pass in the box before finishing past the keeper on the half volley.
Aron Johannsson by goalsandmore The 23-year old doubled the lead 11 minutes later with some more fancy footwork. With his back to goal at the top of the six-yard box, he danced between two defenders before adding insult to injury by freezing the helpless keeper with a final clever touch. With the two strikes, Johannsson pushes his season total to 24 in all competitions—and now needs only 7 goals in the final 10 matches to tie Altidore’s record for European goals scored by an American international.
Aron Johannsson2 by goalsandmore Clint Dempsey—ASN rank #8
In a grinding open to the 2014 MLS regular season, the Seattle Sounders defeated Sporting KC, 1-0, on Saturday thanks to a stoppage-time goal. On a late breakaway, Sounders rookie Sean Okoli sent a last-second cross into the box which eventually fell to the head of Clint Dempsey, whose headed effort caromed off the crossbar. Dempsey swung wildly at the rebound in the ensuing goal-mouth scramble, but instead it was journeyman forward Chad Barrett who was able to finally score. As Barrett wheeled away to celebrate his late strike, the disappointment on Dempsey’s face was palpable. He had it. Three inches lower and Dempsey’s poor run of from for Fulham and national team would have been put squarely in the rearview mirror. Instead, the drought—by Dempsey’s standards, at least—continues. The spotlight only gets brighter from here as Seattle Sounders take on Michael Bradley and Toronto FC in a highly anticipated tilt next Saturday. Nick Rimando—ASN rank #19
Call him ‘the Gymnast," because he is always standing on his head. Nick Rimando was a brick wall between the pipes for Real Salt Lake on Saturday, registering nine saves in a 1-0 season-opening win over the Los Angeles Galaxy. Tested all night, the ultimate moment came in the final minute of stoppage time when newly acquired Galaxy striker Rob Friend drew a more-than-generous penalty ruling after a dive in the box. Someone forgot to tell him that stopping penalties is Rimando’s specialty. With a quick dive to the right, the 34-year-old easily snuffed out Robbie Keane’s ensuing attempt from the spot to secure the first three points of the season for RSL—not to mention MLS Player of the Week honors for himself. Jose Torres—ASN rank #31
Making his first league start since October, Jose Torres found his way back on the score sheet for UANL Tigres on Sunday in a 3-0 win over Cruz Azul. With his team ahead in the 83rd minute, Torres received a pass on the left side of the box and delivered a low-driving, bouncing effort past the Azul keeper to seal the three points. After a rocky start to the Clasura campaign, Tigres is now unbeaten in its last nine matches. Brek Shea—ASN rank #40
On Monday morning, English Championship side Barnsley made the surprising decision to end Brek Shea’s loan spell a full three weeks ahead of schedule. Barnsley was curt in its explanation, but the move likely stems from an incident that occurred prior to the international break, where Shea reportedly delivered a lewd gesture to some Barnsley supporters who were involved in an altercation with a teammate. Shea later apologized, but the damage appears to have been irreparable. Given his output of late, not to mention an early dismissal from the last-place Championship club, it would be hard to imagine Shea seeing much time with Stoke City, who jettisoned the 23-year-old on loan when it became apparent he was not breaking into the first (or second) team lineup. Eric Lichaj—ASN rank #41
The 25-year-old Nottingham Forrest defender is on the shelf once again, reportedly still suffering from a pelvic problem that forced him to be subbed off at halftime in a match with Wigan Athletic last week. While hernia surgery was an option that had been tabled during Lichaj’s previous injury spell early in the year, the club is reportedly concerned that the procedure is now an inevitability considering the persistent nature of his injury. Recovery timetable would be one month. Currently sitting sixth, the club takes on Middlesboro on Tuesday. Will Bruin—ASN rank #45
Last season Will Bruin was one of the most important players in MLS. Despite questions of efficiency, Bruin was only one of six players with at least 10 goals and 7 assists to his name. The others are a Who’s Who of top MLS playmakers: Donovan, Thierry Henry, Keane, Federico Higuain, and Diego Valeri. Quite simply, Houston wins when Bruin is scoring, and Saturday night’s season opener was no different. Getting the start, Bruin opened his 2014 account in emphatic fashion, scoring two goals and assisting on another in a 4-0 win over New England. Houston opened the scoring only 60 seconds in when Bruin corralled a Boniek Garcia cross and delivered a side-footed volley to send the hometown Houston crowd into rapture. Eleven minutes later, it was Bruin again who turned in a pinpoint delivery from Corey Ashe at the far post to make it 2-0. In the 23rd minute, Bruin played facilitator, drawing in the Revs backline off a midfield run before finding a streaking Garcia to make it a three-goal advantage for the home side. Benji Joya—ASN rank #99
First match, first touch, first goal. Only 47 seconds after entering for the Chicago Fire against Chivas USA, Benji Joya found himself unmarked on the back post to tap in a deflected shot from Alex for his first MLS goal. Modest in his celebration, the goal pulled Chicago back into the match after being largely bossed by the Goats. The Fire would eventually draw even, before conceding a late Chivas goal and falling 3-2. After the match Joya commented on his debut: “All I’ve been putting in my mind is to hopefully get the debut and get my name on the score sheet,” the 20-year-old said. “Luckily the first touch I had today turned into a goal. I’m really proud of that.” ASN Contributing Editor Josh Deaver is a former academic turned soccer obsessive. Follow him on Twitter already.
