ASN 100 Update
Jermaine Jones Still in Limbo; Brek Shea to Move?
The European transfer window closes on Friday, and Schalke’s 32-year-old midfielder still has not found a new home. That and more in Josh Deaver’s weekly ASN 100 Update.
Jozy Altidore—ASN rank #4
Altidore got the start (Yay!) in FA Cup action (Oh.) against non-league side Kidderminster (Who?) this weekend, playing 90 minutes in the club’s 1-0 win. I wish I had some good news, but watching the match—along with a cursory check of social media and relevant news outlets—didn’t offer much solace regarding the travails of the 23-year-old striker. As a rule of thumb, it’s usually not the greatest sign when “out of his depth” appears in match reviews against a fifth-division side. With continued poor performances by Altidore, in addition to the news that the Black Cats have recalled loanee Connor Wickham and signed Argentine striker Ignacio Scocco, Altidore’s already-dwindling minutes may have just evaporated completely. Inconceivable only a short time ago: Is a mid-season loan now a possibility for the struggling striker? Fabian Johnson—ASN rank #7
The Hoffenheim defender continued his bad luck over the weekend, suffering a broken hand in a match with Nurnberg, a knock which could threaten his attendance for crucial World Cup preparation matches in March and April. Despite conflicting reports—Hoffenheim says he’s out until "further notice" while Klinsmann said he expected to play this weekend—Johnson is a huge part of the American squad, and may ultimately be tasked with marking some of the brightest attacking talent on display in Brazil. The U.S. is scheduled to take on Ukraine in Kiev on March 5th, while a friendly with Mexico appears in the works for April. Jermaine Jones—ASN rank #10
It’s rapidly approaching the zero hour for Jermaine Jones. “No way back” at Schalke and with the transfer deadline fast approaching, the bruising 32-year-old midfielder remains without a club. Though head coach Jurgen Klinsmann expressed optimism that Jones would find an adequate landing spot ahead of Friday’s deadline, it remains a tightrope act for the time being. Reports from earlier this week detailed failed negotiations with Greek club PAOK—now managed by former Schalke boss Huub Stevens—while also suggesting that the market is fairly limited for Jones, with both Russia and MLS (and their longer windows for player transactions) being mentioned as possibilities. Then again, stranger things have happened recently. Steve Cherundolo—ASN rank #19
The 34-year-old was once again left off the Hannover team sheet this weekend after reports surfaced last week that the veteran defender was experiencing “persistent pain” in his knee and continued to train apart from the team. After starting in the club’s final Bundesliga match before the winter break, Cherundolo’s absence is not only disappointing for fans of the national team, but could portend a hastened ending to Cherundolo’s lengthy and impressive club career. Absent a remarkable resurgence in the coming months, we may have, unfortunately, seen the last of Cherundolo in a U.S. kit. Timothy Chandler—ASN rank #26
Outcast from the U.S. national team, Nurnberg defender Timothy Chandler continues to make his case for a return under Klinsmann. Getting the start for FCN this weekend, Chandler played 90 minutes and scored his second goal of the year during a 4-0 win over Hoffenheim, helping earn Der Club its first three points of the Bundesliga campaign. The 23-year-old earned high praise for the performance, including a spot in Kicker magazine’s Bundesliga Team of the Week for the second time this season. If he can keep up his current form and help pull Nurnberg out of the relegation zone, perhaps Chandler has earned one last opportunity for Brazil. Juan Agudelo—ASN rank #34
Only days after completing a six-month loan deal from Stoke City, Agudelo made his official European debut on Saturday, suiting up and playing 32 minutes for FC Utrecht in a 1-0 loss to Roda JC. The 21-year-old was wasteful with one or two of his touches, but for the most part looked lively, featuring on the right wing during his cameo appearance. Still looking to earn a spot in the World Cup, Agudelo revealed in a recent interview that he passed up a substantial offer from a Turkish club in exchange for the striker-friendly environment of the Eredivisie. Utrecht, losers of five straight, face league leaders Ajax on Sunday. Brek Shea—ASN rank #43
Though outside official competition, Brek Shea picked up his first goal for Barnsley over the weekend, netting in a 4-1 friendly win over Irish side Dundalk. In a lovely sequence, Shea, active on the right side, wrong-footed two defenders before working a give-and-go with Tomasz Cywka, who laid off in the path of the lanky winger for the score. Shea, whose loan deal expires Tuesday, is reportedly drawing interest from the club in order to extend the agreement to the end of the season, as well as from other Championship sides looking to secure his services. Still sitting at the bottom of the table, Barnsley takes on Blackburn Rovers in league action on Tuesday. Maurice Edu—ASN rank #57
As he is apt to do, Taylor "Scoop" Twellman was dropping MLS knowledge bombs on Twitter again this weekend, indicating that reps from Philadelphia Union were on their way to England to secure the services of national team midfielder Maurice Edu from Stoke City. And so it came to pass. On Monday, the club announced the acquisition of the 27-year-old midfielder from the Potters on a one-year loan with the option to buy. Edu, who never played a minute for the club and has been featuring (at centerback) for the reserves since undergoing a hernia surgery in September, will no doubt welcome the change of scenery and the much-needed playing time as he tries to claw his way back into consideration for Brazil. Chris Klute—ASN rank #60
Tally Hall—ASN rank #73
Shane O’Neill—ASN rank #87
Somebody had to go. On Friday, Klinsmann made his final roster cuts ahead of the upcoming friendly against South Korea, releasing, among others, Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall and Colorado Rapids defenders Chris Klute and Shane O’Neill. This leaves the team with a 22-man roster heading into finale of a month-long camp which saw the group travel to Brazil in preparation for the fast-approaching World Cup. Klinsmann wasn’t done with the roster moves however; also adding recent Columbus Crew signee Michael Parkhurst to the camp ahead of Saturday’s match. Oguchi Onyewu—ASN rank #75
Onyewu commemorated his FA Cup debut in style this weekend, playing 90 minutes and scoring his first goal for new club Sheffield Wednesday in a 2-1 win over Rochdale. Onyewu grabbed the eventual game-winner in the 57th minute, following up his own blocked header and rifling a short-range effort to the lower corner to give the Owls a two-goal advantage. With the strike, Onyewu continues to add to his already-lengthy list of target="_blank" >records and accolades, becoming one of only three American players to score goals for five different European clubs (along with Gregg Berhalter and Altidore). SWFC take on Millwall in a return to league action on Tuesday. Andrew Wooten—ASN rank #94
It may only be the preseason, but Andrew Wooten is certainly making an impression on his new club. Since moving to 2.Bundesliga side FSV Frankfurt two weeks ago, Wooten has looked like a player with something to prove, scoring five goals in four halves of play during the club’s winter camp. The former under-23 forward added two to his tally in recent days, scoring the gamewinner in a rain-soaked 1-0 win against Munich 1860 before adding another on Monday in a 3-1 victory over Romanian side Universitatea Cluj. Will Packwood—ASN rank #100
A little more than one year removed from suffering a gruesome leg injury, former under-20 defender Will Packwood made his return to Birmingham City on Saturday, playing 90 minutes in a 2-1 loss to Swansea City in FA Cup action. Here’s a photo to prove it. Packwood, who recently completed a brief loan spell with Bristol Rovers, appears to be match fit once again, picking up good reviews and receiving "Man of the Match" honors. Packwood could make his return to league action on Tuesday as the Blues take on Championship leaders Leicester City. Josh Deaver is a former academic turned soccer obsessive. Follow him on Twitter.
Altidore got the start (Yay!) in FA Cup action (Oh.) against non-league side Kidderminster (Who?) this weekend, playing 90 minutes in the club’s 1-0 win. I wish I had some good news, but watching the match—along with a cursory check of social media and relevant news outlets—didn’t offer much solace regarding the travails of the 23-year-old striker. As a rule of thumb, it’s usually not the greatest sign when “out of his depth” appears in match reviews against a fifth-division side. With continued poor performances by Altidore, in addition to the news that the Black Cats have recalled loanee Connor Wickham and signed Argentine striker Ignacio Scocco, Altidore’s already-dwindling minutes may have just evaporated completely. Inconceivable only a short time ago: Is a mid-season loan now a possibility for the struggling striker? Fabian Johnson—ASN rank #7
The Hoffenheim defender continued his bad luck over the weekend, suffering a broken hand in a match with Nurnberg, a knock which could threaten his attendance for crucial World Cup preparation matches in March and April. Despite conflicting reports—Hoffenheim says he’s out until "further notice" while Klinsmann said he expected to play this weekend—Johnson is a huge part of the American squad, and may ultimately be tasked with marking some of the brightest attacking talent on display in Brazil. The U.S. is scheduled to take on Ukraine in Kiev on March 5th, while a friendly with Mexico appears in the works for April. Jermaine Jones—ASN rank #10
It’s rapidly approaching the zero hour for Jermaine Jones. “No way back” at Schalke and with the transfer deadline fast approaching, the bruising 32-year-old midfielder remains without a club. Though head coach Jurgen Klinsmann expressed optimism that Jones would find an adequate landing spot ahead of Friday’s deadline, it remains a tightrope act for the time being. Reports from earlier this week detailed failed negotiations with Greek club PAOK—now managed by former Schalke boss Huub Stevens—while also suggesting that the market is fairly limited for Jones, with both Russia and MLS (and their longer windows for player transactions) being mentioned as possibilities. Then again, stranger things have happened recently. Steve Cherundolo—ASN rank #19
The 34-year-old was once again left off the Hannover team sheet this weekend after reports surfaced last week that the veteran defender was experiencing “persistent pain” in his knee and continued to train apart from the team. After starting in the club’s final Bundesliga match before the winter break, Cherundolo’s absence is not only disappointing for fans of the national team, but could portend a hastened ending to Cherundolo’s lengthy and impressive club career. Absent a remarkable resurgence in the coming months, we may have, unfortunately, seen the last of Cherundolo in a U.S. kit. Timothy Chandler—ASN rank #26
Outcast from the U.S. national team, Nurnberg defender Timothy Chandler continues to make his case for a return under Klinsmann. Getting the start for FCN this weekend, Chandler played 90 minutes and scored his second goal of the year during a 4-0 win over Hoffenheim, helping earn Der Club its first three points of the Bundesliga campaign. The 23-year-old earned high praise for the performance, including a spot in Kicker magazine’s Bundesliga Team of the Week for the second time this season. If he can keep up his current form and help pull Nurnberg out of the relegation zone, perhaps Chandler has earned one last opportunity for Brazil. Juan Agudelo—ASN rank #34
Only days after completing a six-month loan deal from Stoke City, Agudelo made his official European debut on Saturday, suiting up and playing 32 minutes for FC Utrecht in a 1-0 loss to Roda JC. The 21-year-old was wasteful with one or two of his touches, but for the most part looked lively, featuring on the right wing during his cameo appearance. Still looking to earn a spot in the World Cup, Agudelo revealed in a recent interview that he passed up a substantial offer from a Turkish club in exchange for the striker-friendly environment of the Eredivisie. Utrecht, losers of five straight, face league leaders Ajax on Sunday. Brek Shea—ASN rank #43
Though outside official competition, Brek Shea picked up his first goal for Barnsley over the weekend, netting in a 4-1 friendly win over Irish side Dundalk. In a lovely sequence, Shea, active on the right side, wrong-footed two defenders before working a give-and-go with Tomasz Cywka, who laid off in the path of the lanky winger for the score. Shea, whose loan deal expires Tuesday, is reportedly drawing interest from the club in order to extend the agreement to the end of the season, as well as from other Championship sides looking to secure his services. Still sitting at the bottom of the table, Barnsley takes on Blackburn Rovers in league action on Tuesday. Maurice Edu—ASN rank #57
As he is apt to do, Taylor "Scoop" Twellman was dropping MLS knowledge bombs on Twitter again this weekend, indicating that reps from Philadelphia Union were on their way to England to secure the services of national team midfielder Maurice Edu from Stoke City. And so it came to pass. On Monday, the club announced the acquisition of the 27-year-old midfielder from the Potters on a one-year loan with the option to buy. Edu, who never played a minute for the club and has been featuring (at centerback) for the reserves since undergoing a hernia surgery in September, will no doubt welcome the change of scenery and the much-needed playing time as he tries to claw his way back into consideration for Brazil. Chris Klute—ASN rank #60
Tally Hall—ASN rank #73
Shane O’Neill—ASN rank #87
Somebody had to go. On Friday, Klinsmann made his final roster cuts ahead of the upcoming friendly against South Korea, releasing, among others, Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall and Colorado Rapids defenders Chris Klute and Shane O’Neill. This leaves the team with a 22-man roster heading into finale of a month-long camp which saw the group travel to Brazil in preparation for the fast-approaching World Cup. Klinsmann wasn’t done with the roster moves however; also adding recent Columbus Crew signee Michael Parkhurst to the camp ahead of Saturday’s match. Oguchi Onyewu—ASN rank #75
Onyewu commemorated his FA Cup debut in style this weekend, playing 90 minutes and scoring his first goal for new club Sheffield Wednesday in a 2-1 win over Rochdale. Onyewu grabbed the eventual game-winner in the 57th minute, following up his own blocked header and rifling a short-range effort to the lower corner to give the Owls a two-goal advantage. With the strike, Onyewu continues to add to his already-lengthy list of target="_blank" >records and accolades, becoming one of only three American players to score goals for five different European clubs (along with Gregg Berhalter and Altidore). SWFC take on Millwall in a return to league action on Tuesday. Andrew Wooten—ASN rank #94
It may only be the preseason, but Andrew Wooten is certainly making an impression on his new club. Since moving to 2.Bundesliga side FSV Frankfurt two weeks ago, Wooten has looked like a player with something to prove, scoring five goals in four halves of play during the club’s winter camp. The former under-23 forward added two to his tally in recent days, scoring the gamewinner in a rain-soaked 1-0 win against Munich 1860 before adding another on Monday in a 3-1 victory over Romanian side Universitatea Cluj. Will Packwood—ASN rank #100
A little more than one year removed from suffering a gruesome leg injury, former under-20 defender Will Packwood made his return to Birmingham City on Saturday, playing 90 minutes in a 2-1 loss to Swansea City in FA Cup action. Here’s a photo to prove it. Packwood, who recently completed a brief loan spell with Bristol Rovers, appears to be match fit once again, picking up good reviews and receiving "Man of the Match" honors. Packwood could make his return to league action on Tuesday as the Blues take on Championship leaders Leicester City. Josh Deaver is a former academic turned soccer obsessive. Follow him on Twitter.
