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ASN 100 Update

Aron Scores! Danny Scores! Herc Scores! Videos Here!

In this highlight-ridden weekly feature, ASN contributor Josh Deaver keeps you up to speed on the latest comings and goings of the top American soccer players.
BY Josh Deaver Posted
February 10, 2015
4:28 PM

First, the Panama Match

  • Gyasi Zardes (ASN #32) is good and is getting better. This shouldn’t be controversial, but strangely is: players in their early 20s are not finished products. Getting his first start on Sunday, and channeling his inner Landon Donovan in the process, Zardes fed a deft through ball to the feet of Clint Dempsey for the game's second goal.

  • Clint Dempsey (ASN #3) is a goal-scoring, mean-mugging, beef jerky-chewing, American bad ass.

  • Beautiful. No doubt in my mind that Michael Bradley (ASN #5) meant it. After all, he almost did it near-post two minutes earlier…

  • Danny Williams—(ASN #26) So many central midfielders! As if Bradley and Lee Nguyen and Mix Diskerud and Wil Trapp and Luis Gil and Perry Kitchen weren’t enough, sometimes we're reminded that Danny Williams is still out there. Making his sixth straight league start on Saturday, the 25-year-old went the full 90 minutes for Reading in a 2-1 win over Wolverhampton, scoring the eventual game winner on a side-footed effort from just inside the box. The goal is Williams’ first of the year.

  • Geoff Cameron—(ASN #6) Coming on as a late substitute against Newcastle on Saturday, the 28-year-old made his mark in a brief cameo appearance by registering a game-tying assist in the 90th minute. As the clock ticked into stoppage time, Cameron delivered a pinpoint cross to find the head of a streaking Peter Crouch, who looped his effort into the top corner. In recent weeks, Cameron has taken a noticeable slide down the depth chart at Stoke City and had not featured for three consecutive matches before this weekend. The draw keeps Stoke in 10th place on 33 points.

  • Herculez Gomez—(ASN #63) On loan with Liga MX relegation candidates Puebla, Herculez Gomez is experiencing a semi-resurgence in recent weeks. On Tuesday, the 32-year-old picked up his third goal in five appearances for La Franja during a 2-1 Copa MX win over Merida. On Saturday, Gomez played the final 27 minutes of a 1-0 loss the Tigres UANL. Teammate and compatriot Michael Orozco went the full 90 for Puebla in the loss.

  • Aron Johannsson—(ASN #10) On Thursday, Aron Johannsson picked up his second goal in as many games for AZ, registering his fourth tally of the season and the eventual game-winner in 1-0 win over second-place Ajax. It was a man of the match performance for Johannsson, who also drew a red card—albeit, a bit harsh—on defender Nikolas Moisander in the 61st minute. Johannsson was eventually subbed out late with ankle injury that caused him to miss AZ’s 4-2 win over Groningen on Sunday. He is expected to return on Friday for a huge match against league-leaders PSV. Thanks to the two wins, AZ currently sits in 4th place in the Eredivisie, even with Feyenoord at 41 points.


  • Jermaine Jones—(ASN #1) After two hard shifts for the national team in recent weeks, the top-ranked American underwent sports hernia surgery today in Los Angeles ahead of the theoretical 2015 MLS season. He is expected to recover in time for New England's March 8th season opener against Seattle. I was thinking yesterday: Remember when you used to have to defend Jermaine Jones? That was indeed a silly time.

  • A.J. Soares—(ASN #88) It seems the former New England defender, who appeared destined for Serie A club Hellas Verona, will be reevaluating his options after the transfer window closed early last week. In the meantime, Soares is training with Bob Bradley’s Stabeck and awaiting European trials.


    Played 90 Minutes in Championship Update

  • Eric Lichaj (ASN #31), in his correct position this time, goes 90 in a 3-2 win over Brighton Hove and Albion.

  • Tim Ream (ASN #20) put in a full shift for Bolton during a 4-1 loss to Derby County.

  • Jonathan Spector (ASN #52) made his third consecutive start since returning from injury in a 1-1 draw with Fulham.


    Requisite 2.Bundesliga update

  • Alfredo Morales (ASN #46) is quietly having the best club year of any American outfield player. On Sunday, the 24-year-old once again got the start, playing 90 minutes for Ingolstadt during a 1-0 win over Gruether Furth. With the win—now undefeated in their six—Ingolstadt currently sits eight points clear atop the German second division.

  • On the other end of the table, Andrew Wooten (ASN #82) went 90 minutes for Sandhausen in a scoreless draw with St. Pauli.

  • Just days after signing for new club Erzgebirge Aue, Bobby Wood (ASN #70) also got the start and played 69 minutes in 2-0 win over RB Leipzig. He was “involved” in the first goal.

    ASN Contributing Editor Josh Deaver is a former academic turned soccer obsessive. Follow him on Twitter.
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