ASN 100 Update
Magee Playing Hardball; Spector & Packwood Return
Josh Deaver’s weekly report on the top American players features a bit of everything: holdouts, benchings, transfers, loans, injury updates, news links, and multiple videos.
Jozy Altidore—ASN rank #4
Subbed off at halftime of a 4-1 loss against the Gunners last weekend, Jozy Altidore needs a big game to build some confidence and momentum. Dominated from the onset against Arsenal, the Black Cats leaked three first-half goals, forcing manager Gus Poyet to make some tactical changes at the break in hopes of containing the Gunners. While not a disaster for Altidore’s standing with the club, it was his replacement, Emanuele Giaccherini, who netted the lone tally for Sunderland. The loss moves Sunderland back into the drop zone ahead of Sunday’s Capital One Cup Final against Manchester City. Clint Dempsey—ASN rank #5
The American captain was once again left off the team sheet for Fulham last weekend, watching from the bench during a 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion. It was Dempsey’s third consecutive game missed since featuring for Fulham in a FA Cup extra time loss to Sheffield United early in the month. Despite his lack of playing time, Dempsey will stick out the remainder of his current deal under newly hired Whites boss Felix Magath, which expires after a March 1st home tilt with London rival Chelsea. Dempsey will then report to national team camp before joining the Seattle Sounders prior to the MLS season opener on March 8th. Fabian Johnson—ASN rank #7
On Monday, Borussia Monchengladbach confirmed rumors that current Hoffenheim defender Fabian Johnson would be joining the club next season on a four-year deal. Gladbach’s sporting director Max Eberl told the Bundesliga website, “Fabian Johnson is a very interesting player who is available on a free transfer," adding, "He can play on both sides of the pitch, both in defense and attack, and we're delighted he has chosen to join us.” Suiting up for Hoffenheim against his future club on Saturday, Johnson played 90 minutes and drew a late penalty kick that was converted for a 2-2 draw. Sacha Kljestan—ASN rank #13
After making his return to action last week with a goal and assist in an Anderlecht win, Kljestan put in a full 90-minute shift in a 2-1 loss to Lokeren on Saturday. Despite the loss, the 28-year-old is rounding into form at just the right time, crediting his long absence from the team sheet with keeping him motivated. Kljestan recently told a Belgian paper, “It might be weird because no one likes to miss games, but it was good to … have a break. This allowed my body some recovery. I have never felt as fresh as [I do] now." John Brooks—ASN rank #25
John Brooks made his return to the field for Hertha Berlin on Saturday, coming on in the 85th minute of a 2-1 win over Stuttgart. After a protracted recovery from a knee injury suffered in January—itself preceded by an earlier elbow injury, which also led to missed time—the match was Brooks’ third first-team appearance since October. In addition to making his return, Brooks has also reportedly been invited to join U.S. national team camp ahead of next week’s presumably still-on friendly with Ukraine. Hertha Berlin, which now sits only one point off a European spot, will face Freiburg on Friday prior to the international break. Mike Magee—ASN rank #27
Conspicuous by his absence in preseason training camp, the Chicago Daily Herald is reporting that MLS MVP Mike Magee is attempting to renegotiate his current deal. Fire technical director Brian Bliss confirmed the development but said the club had no plans to enter into formal discussions with Magee and his agent. However, Monday’s decision to deal former MLS Rookie of the Year Austin Berry (ASN #95) to Philadelphia Union shows the club may be looking to cut salary in order to keep Magee happy in the Windy City. Jonathan Spector—ASN rank #51
After making an appearance with the Birmingham City reserves early in the week, Jonathan Spector slid comfortably back into the Blues backline on Saturday, going 90 minutes in a 2-1 win over Blackpool. Spector was active in his return, leading the club in touches and contributing several key passes to the Birmingham attack. Compatriot Will Packwood (ASN #100) also got the start, playing 90 minutes and leading the backline with 20 clearances and 3 interceptions. The Blues face Ipswich Town on Saturday. Lee Nguyen—ASN rank #59
A regular in this space due to his penchant for flashy displays, Nguyen is no stranger to free-kick goals. The 26-year-old added another to his highlight reel on Saturday, driving in a low curler from the top of the box to open the scoring for the Revolution in a 3-2 preseason loss to Chivas USA on Saturday. The recently acquired Teal Bunbury also opened his account in the loss. Competing in the Desert Diamond Cup, part of MLS preseason, New England will face Chicago Fire on Wednesday. Brad Friedel—ASN rank #68
Big Bad Brad continues to taunt Father Time. However, he couldn’t keep out a late penalty kick as Tottenham fell 1-0 to Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in Europa League action on Thursday. The 42-year-old is eyeing a future in management. Putting his hours on the bench to good use, Friedel recently completed his A-license coursework over the summer. “From my standpoint it’s a great area to watch a game from and to learn from. Many moons ago people just thought the goalkeepers were crazy so they were just set aside,” Friedel told the Haringey Independent on Monday. Oguchi Onyewu—ASN rank #75
Making a quicker recovery than anticipated, Onyewu was back in the lineup for Sheffield Wednesday last weekend, playing 69 minutes in a 2-0 over Huddersfield Town. The 31-year-old defender, who suffered a calf injury early in the month, made his return in time to not only help a beleaguered Wednesday backline, but to continue to fight for his third consecutive World Cup appearance for the U.S. men’s national team—an experience Onyewu is documenting in an ongoing series for SI.com. Onyewu was not in the lineup for FA Cup quarterfinal action on Monday, in which the Owls fell 2-1 to Charlton Athletic. Duane Holmes—ASN rank #97
In a move first reported by American Soccer Now, the 19-year-old midfielder began his one-month loan stint with Yeovil Town over the weekend, playing 77 minutes in a 1-0 win over Doncaster Rovers. His late inclusion paid instant dividends for the Glovers, which found iyself up at 59 minutes when Holmes was able to draw a penalty kick after being pushed down in the box. The win—only the club’s third in 2014—was a vital one. Currently sitting last in the Championship, Yeovil remain three points from safety. ASN Contributing Editor Josh Deaver is a former academic turned soccer obsessive. Follow him on Twitter already.
Subbed off at halftime of a 4-1 loss against the Gunners last weekend, Jozy Altidore needs a big game to build some confidence and momentum. Dominated from the onset against Arsenal, the Black Cats leaked three first-half goals, forcing manager Gus Poyet to make some tactical changes at the break in hopes of containing the Gunners. While not a disaster for Altidore’s standing with the club, it was his replacement, Emanuele Giaccherini, who netted the lone tally for Sunderland. The loss moves Sunderland back into the drop zone ahead of Sunday’s Capital One Cup Final against Manchester City. Clint Dempsey—ASN rank #5
The American captain was once again left off the team sheet for Fulham last weekend, watching from the bench during a 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion. It was Dempsey’s third consecutive game missed since featuring for Fulham in a FA Cup extra time loss to Sheffield United early in the month. Despite his lack of playing time, Dempsey will stick out the remainder of his current deal under newly hired Whites boss Felix Magath, which expires after a March 1st home tilt with London rival Chelsea. Dempsey will then report to national team camp before joining the Seattle Sounders prior to the MLS season opener on March 8th. Fabian Johnson—ASN rank #7
On Monday, Borussia Monchengladbach confirmed rumors that current Hoffenheim defender Fabian Johnson would be joining the club next season on a four-year deal. Gladbach’s sporting director Max Eberl told the Bundesliga website, “Fabian Johnson is a very interesting player who is available on a free transfer," adding, "He can play on both sides of the pitch, both in defense and attack, and we're delighted he has chosen to join us.” Suiting up for Hoffenheim against his future club on Saturday, Johnson played 90 minutes and drew a late penalty kick that was converted for a 2-2 draw. Sacha Kljestan—ASN rank #13
After making his return to action last week with a goal and assist in an Anderlecht win, Kljestan put in a full 90-minute shift in a 2-1 loss to Lokeren on Saturday. Despite the loss, the 28-year-old is rounding into form at just the right time, crediting his long absence from the team sheet with keeping him motivated. Kljestan recently told a Belgian paper, “It might be weird because no one likes to miss games, but it was good to … have a break. This allowed my body some recovery. I have never felt as fresh as [I do] now." John Brooks—ASN rank #25
John Brooks made his return to the field for Hertha Berlin on Saturday, coming on in the 85th minute of a 2-1 win over Stuttgart. After a protracted recovery from a knee injury suffered in January—itself preceded by an earlier elbow injury, which also led to missed time—the match was Brooks’ third first-team appearance since October. In addition to making his return, Brooks has also reportedly been invited to join U.S. national team camp ahead of next week’s presumably still-on friendly with Ukraine. Hertha Berlin, which now sits only one point off a European spot, will face Freiburg on Friday prior to the international break. Mike Magee—ASN rank #27
Conspicuous by his absence in preseason training camp, the Chicago Daily Herald is reporting that MLS MVP Mike Magee is attempting to renegotiate his current deal. Fire technical director Brian Bliss confirmed the development but said the club had no plans to enter into formal discussions with Magee and his agent. However, Monday’s decision to deal former MLS Rookie of the Year Austin Berry (ASN #95) to Philadelphia Union shows the club may be looking to cut salary in order to keep Magee happy in the Windy City. Jonathan Spector—ASN rank #51
After making an appearance with the Birmingham City reserves early in the week, Jonathan Spector slid comfortably back into the Blues backline on Saturday, going 90 minutes in a 2-1 win over Blackpool. Spector was active in his return, leading the club in touches and contributing several key passes to the Birmingham attack. Compatriot Will Packwood (ASN #100) also got the start, playing 90 minutes and leading the backline with 20 clearances and 3 interceptions. The Blues face Ipswich Town on Saturday. Lee Nguyen—ASN rank #59
A regular in this space due to his penchant for flashy displays, Nguyen is no stranger to free-kick goals. The 26-year-old added another to his highlight reel on Saturday, driving in a low curler from the top of the box to open the scoring for the Revolution in a 3-2 preseason loss to Chivas USA on Saturday. The recently acquired Teal Bunbury also opened his account in the loss. Competing in the Desert Diamond Cup, part of MLS preseason, New England will face Chicago Fire on Wednesday. Brad Friedel—ASN rank #68
Big Bad Brad continues to taunt Father Time. However, he couldn’t keep out a late penalty kick as Tottenham fell 1-0 to Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in Europa League action on Thursday. The 42-year-old is eyeing a future in management. Putting his hours on the bench to good use, Friedel recently completed his A-license coursework over the summer. “From my standpoint it’s a great area to watch a game from and to learn from. Many moons ago people just thought the goalkeepers were crazy so they were just set aside,” Friedel told the Haringey Independent on Monday. Oguchi Onyewu—ASN rank #75
Making a quicker recovery than anticipated, Onyewu was back in the lineup for Sheffield Wednesday last weekend, playing 69 minutes in a 2-0 over Huddersfield Town. The 31-year-old defender, who suffered a calf injury early in the month, made his return in time to not only help a beleaguered Wednesday backline, but to continue to fight for his third consecutive World Cup appearance for the U.S. men’s national team—an experience Onyewu is documenting in an ongoing series for SI.com. Onyewu was not in the lineup for FA Cup quarterfinal action on Monday, in which the Owls fell 2-1 to Charlton Athletic. Duane Holmes—ASN rank #97
In a move first reported by American Soccer Now, the 19-year-old midfielder began his one-month loan stint with Yeovil Town over the weekend, playing 77 minutes in a 1-0 win over Doncaster Rovers. His late inclusion paid instant dividends for the Glovers, which found iyself up at 59 minutes when Holmes was able to draw a penalty kick after being pushed down in the box. The win—only the club’s third in 2014—was a vital one. Currently sitting last in the Championship, Yeovil remain three points from safety. ASN Contributing Editor Josh Deaver is a former academic turned soccer obsessive. Follow him on Twitter already.
