ASN 100 Update
Top Yanks in Top Form: Dempsey, Bradley, Altidore
Jozy Altidore's hat trick, Clint Dempsey's stoppage-time goal against Manchester United, and Michael Bradley's goal creation for AS Roma headline a busy weekend for Americans abroad.
Michael Bradley—ASN rank #1
Another week, another solid set of performances for the No.1-ranked American. On Wednesday, Bradley went 90 minutes in a 1-0 victory over Fiorentina in Coppa Italia action, contributing to the game’s lone goal with a brilliantly weighted set-up pass. Bradley started once again on Sunday versus Inter Milan, drawing a penalty kick that led to a Roma equalizer in a 1-1 draw. At this point, “solid performance” is old hat for the most consistent American abroad.
Clint Dempsey—ASN rank #2
While 2012 was hit or miss for the Texan at Tottenham, Dempsey has delivered consistently since the calendar changed. On Sunday he started and played 90 minutes for Spurs, scoring a dramatic stoppage-time strike in a 1-1 draw with league leaders Manchester United. Dempsey had several excellent chances on the night—including a one-on-one breakaway that United keeper David DeGea stopped—but finally scored after getting on the end of an Aaron Lennon pass with only one minute left to play. Dempsey now has seven goals in all competitions including four in the last 4 games.
Jozy Altidore—ASN rank #8
In a return to Eredivisie action on Saturday, Jozy Altidore continued his scintillating form by registering a hat trick in AZ’s 4-1 victory over Vitesse. Altidore started and played 90 minutes for the club, scoring his three goals in an impressive 15-minute span in the second half. Still with 16 games remaining, Altidore has nearly equaled his breakout 2011 campaign by picking up 14 league goals in only 18 appearances, a mark tying him for second in league scoring. The game was Altidore’s sixth multi-goal game of the year and, incredibly, his second hat trick of the campaign.
Clarence Goodson—ASN rank #25
Danish news outlets reported on Saturday that, citing “personal reasons”, the 30-year old centerback rejected a potential loan move to Turkish side Orduspor. In the midst of financial turmoil at current club Brondby, Goodson is facing mandatory pay cuts and an uncertain future for the beleaguered Danish club. There is reportedly interest from Germany and Switzerland but, for now, Goodson will remain with the relegation-bound side when the Danish SuperLiga resumes play in early March. Stuart Holden—ASN rank #28
On Tuesday, the former Houston Dynamo midfielder finally made his return to first-team football, coming off the bench for 14 minutes in Bolton’s 2-0 FA Cup victory over Sunderland. After the match, Holden said the grueling rehabilitation process made his return that much more special. “I was sitting in the hotel reflecting on the last year-and-a-half and how much work I’ve done and how many days I’ve spent in the gym,” said Holden. “For that to culminate now and being back with the first team, doing what I love, was a special moment for me.” The 27-year old played well despite so much time off, but the club is still taking his recovery slowly. Holden was not included in the Bolton roster for Saturday’s scoreless draw against Crystal Palace. Jose Torres—ASN rank #29
Less than a month since securing a transfer from long-time home Pachuca to UANL Tigres, the El Paso, Texas, native saw his first minutes for his new club in a 1-0 victory against Atlas on Saturday. Coming off a slight thigh injury, Torres displayed little rust and plugged right into the starting lineup, playing 71 minutes in the victory. Three games into the Clasura, Tigres remain perfect and currently sit with Tijuana and Club America at the top of the LigaMX table. Brek Shea—ASN rank #30
In a story broken by ASN 100 panelist Taylor Twellman, it appears the FC Dallas midfielder will be sold to EPL side Stoke City pending a physical and evaluation of his injured ankle. Although the terms of the deal have not been confirmed, it is believed that Stoke will commit around $3.5 million to bring the 22-year old to Britannia stadium. Currently sitting 10th, the club has scored only 22 times on the year, third fewest in the entire Premier League. Maurice Edu—ASN rank #35
In a move that should provide some badly needed playing time, on Thursday the 26-year-old midfielder completed a loan to Turkish side Bursaspor for the reminder of the season. "We need to get him some games, and a loan until the end of the season will do that," Stoke City manager Tony Pulis said. After playing only 10 minutes for Stoke City since transferring from Rangers in August, Edu came off the bench for a 25-minute debut appearance in a 2-1 victory over Kayserispor. Bursaspor currently sits 5th in the Turkish SuperLiga, only five points behind league leaders Galatasaray. Freddy Adu—ASN rank #62
During the week’s MLS draft festivities, Philadelphia Union head coach John Hackworth confirmed that the 23-year-old midfielder could be on his way out of Philadelphia. When pressed if Adu would be joining the club for preseason camp, Hackworth responded, “No”, indicating there were still “several decisions” yet to be made. Although Hackworth has previously expressed sentiment that Adu could return to the fold, following the acrimony of 2012, it seems likely he could be out the door once again. If Adu is forced to relocate to begin 2013, it will be his 8th club since leaving D.C United in 2006. Jeff Larentowicz—ASN rank #69
On Wednesday the Colorado Rapids sent midfielder Jeff Larentowicz to the Chicago Fire in exchange for the 11th draft pick and an undisclosed amount of allocation money. Larentowicz, who spent the last 3 seasons in Colorado, was a vital part of the 2010 MLS Cup winning side and should play an important role in the newly revamped Fire midfield. QUICK NOTES:
Timothy Chandler (#11) started and played 65 minutes for FC Nurnberg on Sunday, before being subbed off due to a possible concussion. Nurnberg drew 1-1 with Hamburger SV. On Saturday, Tim Ream (#51) started and played 90 minutes for Bolton in a scoreless draw against Crystal Palace. The inconsistent Ream was described as “particularly outstanding” by the Bolton News. DaMarcus Beasley (#56) came off the bench in the 68th minute for Puebla and drew a free kick which led to the winning goal in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Herculez Gomez (#12) and Santos Laguna. Club Tijuana announced this week that a reserve Xolos side would take on the U.S Men’s National Team in a closed door scrimmage on Tuesday, Jan. 22. This means Jurgen Klinsmann will likely get a look at fullback Greg Garza (#86), as well as several eligible U-20 players, who should feature in the match. Josh Deaver is a former academic turned soccer obsessive. Follow him at @USFootballGuy on Twitter.
Another week, another solid set of performances for the No.1-ranked American. On Wednesday, Bradley went 90 minutes in a 1-0 victory over Fiorentina in Coppa Italia action, contributing to the game’s lone goal with a brilliantly weighted set-up pass. Bradley started once again on Sunday versus Inter Milan, drawing a penalty kick that led to a Roma equalizer in a 1-1 draw. At this point, “solid performance” is old hat for the most consistent American abroad.
Clint Dempsey—ASN rank #2
While 2012 was hit or miss for the Texan at Tottenham, Dempsey has delivered consistently since the calendar changed. On Sunday he started and played 90 minutes for Spurs, scoring a dramatic stoppage-time strike in a 1-1 draw with league leaders Manchester United. Dempsey had several excellent chances on the night—including a one-on-one breakaway that United keeper David DeGea stopped—but finally scored after getting on the end of an Aaron Lennon pass with only one minute left to play. Dempsey now has seven goals in all competitions including four in the last 4 games.
Jozy Altidore—ASN rank #8
In a return to Eredivisie action on Saturday, Jozy Altidore continued his scintillating form by registering a hat trick in AZ’s 4-1 victory over Vitesse. Altidore started and played 90 minutes for the club, scoring his three goals in an impressive 15-minute span in the second half. Still with 16 games remaining, Altidore has nearly equaled his breakout 2011 campaign by picking up 14 league goals in only 18 appearances, a mark tying him for second in league scoring. The game was Altidore’s sixth multi-goal game of the year and, incredibly, his second hat trick of the campaign.
Clarence Goodson—ASN rank #25
Danish news outlets reported on Saturday that, citing “personal reasons”, the 30-year old centerback rejected a potential loan move to Turkish side Orduspor. In the midst of financial turmoil at current club Brondby, Goodson is facing mandatory pay cuts and an uncertain future for the beleaguered Danish club. There is reportedly interest from Germany and Switzerland but, for now, Goodson will remain with the relegation-bound side when the Danish SuperLiga resumes play in early March. Stuart Holden—ASN rank #28
On Tuesday, the former Houston Dynamo midfielder finally made his return to first-team football, coming off the bench for 14 minutes in Bolton’s 2-0 FA Cup victory over Sunderland. After the match, Holden said the grueling rehabilitation process made his return that much more special. “I was sitting in the hotel reflecting on the last year-and-a-half and how much work I’ve done and how many days I’ve spent in the gym,” said Holden. “For that to culminate now and being back with the first team, doing what I love, was a special moment for me.” The 27-year old played well despite so much time off, but the club is still taking his recovery slowly. Holden was not included in the Bolton roster for Saturday’s scoreless draw against Crystal Palace. Jose Torres—ASN rank #29
Less than a month since securing a transfer from long-time home Pachuca to UANL Tigres, the El Paso, Texas, native saw his first minutes for his new club in a 1-0 victory against Atlas on Saturday. Coming off a slight thigh injury, Torres displayed little rust and plugged right into the starting lineup, playing 71 minutes in the victory. Three games into the Clasura, Tigres remain perfect and currently sit with Tijuana and Club America at the top of the LigaMX table. Brek Shea—ASN rank #30
In a story broken by ASN 100 panelist Taylor Twellman, it appears the FC Dallas midfielder will be sold to EPL side Stoke City pending a physical and evaluation of his injured ankle. Although the terms of the deal have not been confirmed, it is believed that Stoke will commit around $3.5 million to bring the 22-year old to Britannia stadium. Currently sitting 10th, the club has scored only 22 times on the year, third fewest in the entire Premier League. Maurice Edu—ASN rank #35
In a move that should provide some badly needed playing time, on Thursday the 26-year-old midfielder completed a loan to Turkish side Bursaspor for the reminder of the season. "We need to get him some games, and a loan until the end of the season will do that," Stoke City manager Tony Pulis said. After playing only 10 minutes for Stoke City since transferring from Rangers in August, Edu came off the bench for a 25-minute debut appearance in a 2-1 victory over Kayserispor. Bursaspor currently sits 5th in the Turkish SuperLiga, only five points behind league leaders Galatasaray. Freddy Adu—ASN rank #62
During the week’s MLS draft festivities, Philadelphia Union head coach John Hackworth confirmed that the 23-year-old midfielder could be on his way out of Philadelphia. When pressed if Adu would be joining the club for preseason camp, Hackworth responded, “No”, indicating there were still “several decisions” yet to be made. Although Hackworth has previously expressed sentiment that Adu could return to the fold, following the acrimony of 2012, it seems likely he could be out the door once again. If Adu is forced to relocate to begin 2013, it will be his 8th club since leaving D.C United in 2006. Jeff Larentowicz—ASN rank #69
On Wednesday the Colorado Rapids sent midfielder Jeff Larentowicz to the Chicago Fire in exchange for the 11th draft pick and an undisclosed amount of allocation money. Larentowicz, who spent the last 3 seasons in Colorado, was a vital part of the 2010 MLS Cup winning side and should play an important role in the newly revamped Fire midfield. QUICK NOTES:
Timothy Chandler (#11) started and played 65 minutes for FC Nurnberg on Sunday, before being subbed off due to a possible concussion. Nurnberg drew 1-1 with Hamburger SV. On Saturday, Tim Ream (#51) started and played 90 minutes for Bolton in a scoreless draw against Crystal Palace. The inconsistent Ream was described as “particularly outstanding” by the Bolton News. DaMarcus Beasley (#56) came off the bench in the 68th minute for Puebla and drew a free kick which led to the winning goal in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Herculez Gomez (#12) and Santos Laguna. Club Tijuana announced this week that a reserve Xolos side would take on the U.S Men’s National Team in a closed door scrimmage on Tuesday, Jan. 22. This means Jurgen Klinsmann will likely get a look at fullback Greg Garza (#86), as well as several eligible U-20 players, who should feature in the match. Josh Deaver is a former academic turned soccer obsessive. Follow him at @USFootballGuy on Twitter.
