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Americans Abroad

Brooks, Altidore, Kljestan, Shea: Yanks Still Struggling

Last weekend featured more of the same for Yanks playing abroad—there were a few bright spots but bad news far outweighed the good. Brian Sciaretta has the details.
BY Brian Sciaretta Posted
October 06, 2014
10:55 AM
THE OCTOBER INTERNATIONAL window is set to open and the United States national team will assemble today in Boston ahead of its two upcoming friendlies against Ecuador and Honduras. The games will serve as a welcome break in what has been a rough start for most Americans who play the game abroad.

Too many players, too few minutes

Some of the best American players overseas are injured, including Aron Johannsson, Terrence Boyd, Danny Williams, Geoff Cameron, and Jonathan Spector. Juan Agudelo is without a club entirely. Others are just struggling to earn playing time.

Jozy Altidore, Brek Shea, John Anthony Brooks, Bobby Wood, and Sacha Kljestan did not see the field over the past weekend. Timothy Chandler had a late cameo for Eintracht Frankfurt.

United States national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann wants American players to compete at the highest-possible level, but if they end up warming the bench, what's the point?

Brek Shea is MIA

Brek Shea was left out of the matchday 18 again for Birmingham City on Saturday and there really is no way to sugarcoat this. Birmingham City is a struggling Championship club and the fact that Shea is seeing minutes for its U-21 team does not bode well for his reputation or future in England. What will be the next step for him once the loan ends in January?

For Klinsmann, this must also be disappointing because he has given Shea numerous chances on the national team to impress. Shea has failed to do so since moving to England but Klinsmann has always given him the benefit of the doubt with more call-ups than his form warrants. There is a need for true attacking wide play on the national team and it is there for the taking. Shea just hasn’t stepped up.


Fabian Johnson continues to impress

Fabian Johnson currently tops the ASN 100 and it is easy to see why. He is back to playing midfield in the Bundesliga, where he believes he is most effective, and the results are paying dividends. Borussia Monchengladbach are into third place in the league and Johnson is looking confident.

On Sunday, Johnson delivered a quality assist for Monchengladbach in a 1-1 draw with Mainz and will arrive into U.S. national team camp in fine form.


Morales and Ingolstadt Top 2.Bundesliga

Ingolstadt was not favored for promotion at the start of the season but through nine games the Bavarian-based club sits on top of the 2.Bundesliga table. Alfredo Morales has started all nine games and has been a rock in central midfield.

On Sunday, Morales looked strong in a full 90-minute effort as Ingolstadt defeated Eintracht Braunscheweig 1-0. Ingolstadt remains undefeated on the season and has 19 points through nine games. It's probably too early to start talking about promotion, but this is a club to keep an eye on.

Morales has fallen in and out of favor with Klinsmann over the last few years but he now has an opportunity to be a regular part of the U.S. squad at the start of the new cycle.


Rubio Rubin showcases his talent

Despite dropping a 3-2 defeat to Go Ahead Eagles on Saturday, FC Utrecht’s American forward Rubio Rubin enjoyed a stellar match, picking up a pair of quality assists and playing a key role in multiple scoring opportunities.

Rubin completed 31 of 37 passes in the contest while trying to run Utrecht’s offense in a central attacking midfield position. His through-ball on his second assist showcased his vision to create chances.

Rubin, 18, is progressing nicely at Utrecht in his first professional season and despite it being a rough weekend overall for Americans in Europe, the Oregon native was a bright spot.


Bedoya continues to help guide Nantes

Burdened with a transfer ban, these are difficult times for the French Ligue 1 side Nantes. While many expected the club to face a relegation battle this season, the club has started strong and currently sits in fifth place through nine games.

Nantes played last-place Guingamp on Sunday and took advantage of the weak competition, winning 1-0 win on the road. Bedoya completed 71% of his passes and was very strong defensively, breaking up multiple passes along the way.


Castillo and Atlas Climbing in Liga Mx

Atlas continues to impress and exceed expectations in Liga Mx this year. On Sunday Atlas defeated Chivas 1-0 on the road to move into second place. With leaders Club America dropping a stunning 4-0 loss to Cruz Azul, Atlas now is just two points off the top spot through 12 games.

Castillo has played every minute of the season for Atlas, settling nicely with the club. He remains a bit of a mystery for American fans, however: He plays left back and has had a solid club career in Mexico but club successes have never quite translated to the national team. Still, the quality he has shown this year could prompt Klinsman to give Castillo more opportunities.

John Caulfield makes American history

Less than five years ago, Cork City’s existence was in jeopardy following a financial fallout with its ownership group. Now the Irish club is in contention for the league title. The man behind the club’s revival is Bronx-born John Caulfield, who was one of Cork City’s all-time best players from 1986-2011.

As Cork City prevailed in a 2-1 victory over Drogheda United on Friday, it ensured that Cork could finish no lower than third place in the League of Ireland this year. With the second and third place teams in the league qualifying for the Europa League, Cork City clinched a spot in the prestigious competition—even if its goal still remains the league title. As of now, Cork is in second place and is closing in on leaders Dundalk—which it faces on October 24, the last game of the season.

Why is this significant? American coaches have found little success coaching in Europe and Caulfield is now the first-ever American-born coach to qualify a team for a European competition. With the backdrop of reviving a club where he has been named to the Supporters Hall of Fame as a player, it is one of the more feel-good stories of the year in involving Americans-Abroad.

Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Follow him on Twitter.

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