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ASN 100 Weekly Update

Dempsey Delivers Dos; Gomez Goes Golazo

In your weekly update of the top American players, Tottenham's attacker continues his torrid 2013, while a striker finds the net in Mexico, and Michael Bradley struggles for once.
BY Josh Deaver Posted
January 07, 2013
4:59 AM
Michael Bradley—ASN Rank No. 1
Michael Bradley went 90 minutes in AS Roma’s 4-1 defeat to Napoli. After fortuitous circumstances saw both Inter and Fiorentina drop points, a victory for fifth place Roma would have moved them to the top 3 in Serie A. The Giallorossi had several opportunities to get back in the match but poor finishing, including an open-net miss by Bradley, and an Edinson Cavani hat trick doomed them on the afternoon.

Clint Dempsey—ASN Rank No. 2
The new year started off with a bang for the Texas native. Dempsey already has netted three times, including two goals in Saturday’s 3-0 FA Cup victory against Coventry City. Early in the first half, Dempsey got on the end of a Gareth Bale flicked header for an easy tap in. In the 37th minute, Dempsey converted a corner kick from Sandro with a brilliantly placed looping header, his fifth goal of the campaign for Spurs.

Landon Donovan—ASN Rank No. 3
In the continued saga of Landon Donovan’s existential crisis, head coach Jurgen Klinsmann told FOX Soccer on Sunday that the all-time leading U.S goal scorer would not be included on the roster that will open Hex play against Honduras on February 6th. Klinsmann also added that he was unsure when Donovan would return to the National Team, if ever. Insert dramatic music here.

Herculez Gomez—ASN Rank No. 12
In the first fixture of the 2013 LigaMX Clasura, Herculez Gomez started and played 74 minutes for Santos Laguna, scoring the opening goal in a 1-1 draw with San Luis. In the 27th minute, Gomez outjumped the San Luis keeper and deflected a cross into the net.

Omar Gonzalez—ASN Rank No. 18
After another All-Star caliber season, LA Galaxy centerback Omar Gonzalez was named to the most recent National Team roster. His inclusion, however, does not come without a challenge from head coach Jürgen Klinsmann, who clearly expects Gonzalez to play a major role in 2013. In an interview with Fox Soccer, Klinsmann said of Gonzalez, "He needs to show us he’s ready for a big step into international football. He needs to show us that he wants to break in. He needs to show us that he’s ready to guide a back line, that he’s ready to communicate a lot and take over the responsibility."

Chris Pontius—ASN Rank No. 22
The absence of the D.C. United attacker was the most glaring omission from Sunday's roster announcement. But there's a reason: He is still nursing the groin injury that kept him out of the team that traveled to Russia in November. Pontius tweeted, "Pulled myself out of this camp cause groin isn't 100%. Need to be ready for MLS season." This is the third straight national team camp Pontius has missed due to injury.

Maurice Edu—ASN Rank No. 35
The midfielder is in desperate need of a move. After another week of failing to make the Stoke City gameday 18—this time for an FA Cup fixture against Crystal Palace—Edu has only played a total of 10 minutes since joining the Potters in August. Edu could have an opportunity to impress potential suitors, as he reportedly may join National Team camp sometime in the next two weeks.

Juan Agudelo—ASN Rank No. 43
It appears the Chivas USA striker still has one stop remaining on his busy offseason tour. On Sunday, Agudelo’s agent Ron Waxman revealed that the 20-year old would join fellow American Graham Zusi for a training stint at EPL side West Ham United. Agudelo confirmed the news by tweeting, “In London U.K. Blowing bubbles with West Ham for wee bit.” After a week at Upton Park, the American duo is set to join up with the remaining members of the U.S National Team in Los Angeles.

Alejandro Bedoya—ASN Rank No. 45
Currently out of contract with Swedish side Helsingborg, the 25-year old midfielder is searching for a new home during the January transfer window. According to the club’s sporting director, the two parties have kept an open dialogue but Bedoya, who is now reportedly seeking playing opportunities outside of Scandinavia, seems unlikely to return. Also featured on the most recent National Team roster, he is eager to capitalize on his first call up since 2011, tweeting, “It's been a long tough year but hard work pays off! Time now to make the most out of this chance!”

Will Packwood—ASN Rank No. 96
In a truly gruesome scene, the U.S U-20 defender sustained a broken leg in Birmingham City’s 1-1 FA Cup draw against Leeds on Saturday. After going aerial for a ball, the 19-year old landed awkwardly and remained down for several minutes, eventually being carted off while wearing an oxygen mask. Following the match, Blues manager Lee Clark commented, “We’ve lost a good young player who’s a magnificent kid.” On Sunday Packwood underwent the first in a series of surgeries for his leg, reportedly broken in as many as four places. Following the surgery, Packwood tweeted “Long road to recover...but not impossible!”

Warning: Graphic footage

Josh Deaver is a former academic turned soccer obsessive. Follow him on Twitter, @USFootballGuy, for daily updates.

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