ASN 100 Update
Bradley and Dempsey Excel Overseas; Donovan Scores
The two top-ranked Americans performed well for their club teams this past weekend, while Landon Donovan and Jack McInerney put in strong efforts in Major League Soccer.
Michael Bradley—ASN rank #1
Forza Bradley! Michael got the start in midweek action for Roma, going 90 minutes in the club’s 3-2 Coppa Italia victory over Inter Milan. Bradley put in an excellent performance on the day, competing an astonishing (but not really that surprising) 96.7% of his passes. The win sets Roma up with rival Lazio in the Cup final on May 29th. Because of this, Bradley could miss the first week of national team camp as the squad prepares for three World Cup qualifiers in June. In league action on Sunday, Bradley entered as a late substitute, playing 18 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Pescara. With five games remaining, Roma sits only one point off a potential Europa League berth. Clint Dempsey—ASN rank #2
On Sunday, Dempsey helped spark a late Tottenham rally, playing 90 minutes and scoring a goal in a 3-1 victory over Manchester City. Despite trailing until the 76th minute, the floodgates opened at White Hart Lane after Dempsey got on the end of a perfectly placed pass from Gareth Bale for an easy back post tap-in. With the goal, Dempsey ups his Spurs total to 11 in all competitions this season. Bale and Jermaine Defoe put the contest beyond reach to pick up a vital three points in the club’s race for a Champions League spot next season. With five matches remaining, only two points separate Tottenham from third-place Arsenal—and Spurs have a game in hand. Landon Donovan—ASN rank #8
With Jurgen Klinsmann in attendance Saturday night to observe the abundant supply of American talent on display in the Los Angeles Galaxy - Sporting Kansas City contest, it was Landon Donovan who stole the show. The U.S.' all-time scoring leader opened his 2013 account with a goal and also registered an assist as LA beat SKC 2-0. The Galaxy's first goal came off a counter attack in the 26th minute when Donovan slid a cross to the feet of a waiting Marcelo, who tapped it home. Donovan put the game out of reach in the 74th minute. Following a defensive lapse, Robbie Keane pushed forward on a breakaway, drawing in two defenders and leaving Donovan with an open net for his first of the year. Sacha Kljestan—ASN rank #13
Kljestan netted his third of the year for Anderlecht in a 3-0 win over Lokeren in Belgian midweek playoff action. After receiving the ball outside of the box, Kljestan uncorked a beautiful right footed shot that kissed the underside of the bar before rippling the net for the goal. The badly needed three points kept the Purple and White atop the playoff table, despite a recent poor run of form. On Saturday, Klestan started and played 74 minutes in a 2-1 loss to Zulte-Waregem, which took over the top spot win the win. Joe Corona—ASN rank #27
Both Joe Corona and Edgar Castillo were shown red cards late in the match for Club Tijuana during a 2-1 loss to Morelia. Entering with only 20 minutes remaining, Corona was given a straight red card for a hard foul in the 88th minute. Castillo was then shown off in stoppage time after picking up two consecutive yellow cards for arguing with the assistant referee. Castillo was livid as he exited the field and could receive an additional match ban. The loss drops puts a major damper on Tijuana’s playoff hopes. Winless in seven-straight league fixtures, the Xolos are currently in 11th place and sit three points out of qualification. Mix Diskerud—ASN rank #32
Diskerud got the start once again for Rosenborg, playing 90 minutes and scoring a goal in a 3-1 loss to Hauguesund on Sunday. After his team conceded twice in the first 45 minutes, Diskerud pulled one back for the away side only six minutes into the second half. After receiving the ball in the box, the 22-year old dribbled toward the end line and, from an extremely tight angle, found the back of the net with a skillful side-footed curler for his second goal of the campaign. However, Rosenborg could not capitalize on several chances to equalize and would eventually give up a late goal on way to their first defeat of the season. Alejandro Bedoya—ASN rank #46
Bedoya continues to impress for Helsingborg in the Swedish Allsvenskan. He played the full 90 for the squad during its 4-1 victory over Norrkoping on Thursday, picking up a goal and an assist. Capitalizing on a defensive miscue, Bedoya registered his first tally of the season with a low-driving shot from outside the box just after halftime. Bedoya assisted on the club's final goal 12 minutes later. Bedoya was also in the starting XI for Helsingborg on Sunday in a 2-0 win over Bromma IF, seeing yellow before being subbed out in stoppage time. Aron Johannsson—ASN rank #53
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xz6gi6_az-alkmaar-psv-johannsson_sport The American-born Icelander has clearly not lost his goal-scoring form since returning from injury. In a 3-1 loss to PSV on Saturday, Johannsson picked up his second goal in only his third appearance since joining AZ Alkmaar in January. After being subbed on early in the second half for an ailing Jozy Altidore (ASN #3), the 22 year old made easy work of a near post cross in the 86th minute for AZ’s lone goal. It was reported after the match that Altidore was removed as a precaution and should be cleared to return to action on Friday against Heerenveen. Jack McInerney—ASN rank #57
McInerney netted twice in Philadelphia's 3-2 win over D.C. United, pushing his league-leading scoring account to six. After corralling a pass from Conor Casey, the young striker was able to split two defenders on a breakaway before finishing past Bill Hamid to open scoring in the 7th minute. Nineteen minutes later McInerney lost his defender at the far post to score his secord, securing the brace as well as three points for the Union. If this tweet from teammate Amobi Okugo is any indication, Jack has only one thing on his mind for the 2013 MLS campaign. John Anthony Brooks—ASN rank #70
Thanks to a late goal and a 1-0 win over Sandhausen, Hertha Berlin has secured its return to the German top flight next season. However, defensive anchor John Anthony Brooks was subbed off after picking up an injury only 25 minutes into the match. The severity of the injury is unknown but it is worth monitoring with the U-20 World Cup fast approaching. Midfielder Alfredo Morales was an unused substitute for Hertha in the promotion-clinching win. QUICK NOTES
Dax McCarty (#39) found the back of the net for his second of the year in the Red Bulls 4-1 victory over New England Revolution.
Perry Kitchen (#67) scored his first goal of the MLS season on Sunday in a 3-2 loss to Philadelphia.
Freddy Adu (#69) made his first appearance for Bahia on the weekend, playing 10 minutes in a 0-0 draw with Juazeirense. Josh Deaver is a former academic turned soccer obsessive. Follow him on Twitter.
Forza Bradley! Michael got the start in midweek action for Roma, going 90 minutes in the club’s 3-2 Coppa Italia victory over Inter Milan. Bradley put in an excellent performance on the day, competing an astonishing (but not really that surprising) 96.7% of his passes. The win sets Roma up with rival Lazio in the Cup final on May 29th. Because of this, Bradley could miss the first week of national team camp as the squad prepares for three World Cup qualifiers in June. In league action on Sunday, Bradley entered as a late substitute, playing 18 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Pescara. With five games remaining, Roma sits only one point off a potential Europa League berth. Clint Dempsey—ASN rank #2
On Sunday, Dempsey helped spark a late Tottenham rally, playing 90 minutes and scoring a goal in a 3-1 victory over Manchester City. Despite trailing until the 76th minute, the floodgates opened at White Hart Lane after Dempsey got on the end of a perfectly placed pass from Gareth Bale for an easy back post tap-in. With the goal, Dempsey ups his Spurs total to 11 in all competitions this season. Bale and Jermaine Defoe put the contest beyond reach to pick up a vital three points in the club’s race for a Champions League spot next season. With five matches remaining, only two points separate Tottenham from third-place Arsenal—and Spurs have a game in hand. Landon Donovan—ASN rank #8
With Jurgen Klinsmann in attendance Saturday night to observe the abundant supply of American talent on display in the Los Angeles Galaxy - Sporting Kansas City contest, it was Landon Donovan who stole the show. The U.S.' all-time scoring leader opened his 2013 account with a goal and also registered an assist as LA beat SKC 2-0. The Galaxy's first goal came off a counter attack in the 26th minute when Donovan slid a cross to the feet of a waiting Marcelo, who tapped it home. Donovan put the game out of reach in the 74th minute. Following a defensive lapse, Robbie Keane pushed forward on a breakaway, drawing in two defenders and leaving Donovan with an open net for his first of the year. Sacha Kljestan—ASN rank #13
Kljestan netted his third of the year for Anderlecht in a 3-0 win over Lokeren in Belgian midweek playoff action. After receiving the ball outside of the box, Kljestan uncorked a beautiful right footed shot that kissed the underside of the bar before rippling the net for the goal. The badly needed three points kept the Purple and White atop the playoff table, despite a recent poor run of form. On Saturday, Klestan started and played 74 minutes in a 2-1 loss to Zulte-Waregem, which took over the top spot win the win. Joe Corona—ASN rank #27
Both Joe Corona and Edgar Castillo were shown red cards late in the match for Club Tijuana during a 2-1 loss to Morelia. Entering with only 20 minutes remaining, Corona was given a straight red card for a hard foul in the 88th minute. Castillo was then shown off in stoppage time after picking up two consecutive yellow cards for arguing with the assistant referee. Castillo was livid as he exited the field and could receive an additional match ban. The loss drops puts a major damper on Tijuana’s playoff hopes. Winless in seven-straight league fixtures, the Xolos are currently in 11th place and sit three points out of qualification. Mix Diskerud—ASN rank #32
Diskerud got the start once again for Rosenborg, playing 90 minutes and scoring a goal in a 3-1 loss to Hauguesund on Sunday. After his team conceded twice in the first 45 minutes, Diskerud pulled one back for the away side only six minutes into the second half. After receiving the ball in the box, the 22-year old dribbled toward the end line and, from an extremely tight angle, found the back of the net with a skillful side-footed curler for his second goal of the campaign. However, Rosenborg could not capitalize on several chances to equalize and would eventually give up a late goal on way to their first defeat of the season. Alejandro Bedoya—ASN rank #46
Bedoya continues to impress for Helsingborg in the Swedish Allsvenskan. He played the full 90 for the squad during its 4-1 victory over Norrkoping on Thursday, picking up a goal and an assist. Capitalizing on a defensive miscue, Bedoya registered his first tally of the season with a low-driving shot from outside the box just after halftime. Bedoya assisted on the club's final goal 12 minutes later. Bedoya was also in the starting XI for Helsingborg on Sunday in a 2-0 win over Bromma IF, seeing yellow before being subbed out in stoppage time. Aron Johannsson—ASN rank #53
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xz6gi6_az-alkmaar-psv-johannsson_sport The American-born Icelander has clearly not lost his goal-scoring form since returning from injury. In a 3-1 loss to PSV on Saturday, Johannsson picked up his second goal in only his third appearance since joining AZ Alkmaar in January. After being subbed on early in the second half for an ailing Jozy Altidore (ASN #3), the 22 year old made easy work of a near post cross in the 86th minute for AZ’s lone goal. It was reported after the match that Altidore was removed as a precaution and should be cleared to return to action on Friday against Heerenveen. Jack McInerney—ASN rank #57
McInerney netted twice in Philadelphia's 3-2 win over D.C. United, pushing his league-leading scoring account to six. After corralling a pass from Conor Casey, the young striker was able to split two defenders on a breakaway before finishing past Bill Hamid to open scoring in the 7th minute. Nineteen minutes later McInerney lost his defender at the far post to score his secord, securing the brace as well as three points for the Union. If this tweet from teammate Amobi Okugo is any indication, Jack has only one thing on his mind for the 2013 MLS campaign. John Anthony Brooks—ASN rank #70
Thanks to a late goal and a 1-0 win over Sandhausen, Hertha Berlin has secured its return to the German top flight next season. However, defensive anchor John Anthony Brooks was subbed off after picking up an injury only 25 minutes into the match. The severity of the injury is unknown but it is worth monitoring with the U-20 World Cup fast approaching. Midfielder Alfredo Morales was an unused substitute for Hertha in the promotion-clinching win. QUICK NOTES
Dax McCarty (#39) found the back of the net for his second of the year in the Red Bulls 4-1 victory over New England Revolution.
Perry Kitchen (#67) scored his first goal of the MLS season on Sunday in a 3-2 loss to Philadelphia.
Freddy Adu (#69) made his first appearance for Bahia on the weekend, playing 10 minutes in a 0-0 draw with Juazeirense. Josh Deaver is a former academic turned soccer obsessive. Follow him on Twitter.
