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ASN 100 Update

World-Class Quality from Johannsson, Rowe & Magee

Josh Deaver's weekly roundup of the ASN 100 features some spectacular videos from three Americans—national team newbie Aron Johannsson and two uncapped Yanks, Kelyn Rowe and Mike Magee.
BY Josh Deaver Posted
October 22, 2013
12:14 PM
Editor's Note: We're updating our ASN 100 next week, so be sure to check out the current rankings and let us know who should be ranked higher, lower, or not at all.

Michael Bradley—ASN rank #1
Out of action for nearly six weeks, Michael Bradley returned to the AS Roma gameday roster on Friday as an unused substitute during the club’s 2-0 win over Napoli. Bradley will be facing some stiff competition to break back into the starting XI in coming weeks, especially given Roma’s hot start through eight games. With Barcelona and Atletico Madrid both dropping points over the weekend, Roma is currently the only club in a top European league to boast a perfect record.

DaMarcus Beasley—ASN rank #16
After being held out of the United States’ match against Panama as a precaution, DaMarcus Beasley’s hamstring injury may be worse than previously believed. On Saturday, the Puebla man tweeted “Heading to get an MRI. Hopefully I have good news after, wish me luck!!” As of Monday, no official results have been released. With Beasley sitting out on Sunday, Puebla picked up a 2-0 victory over Atlas, moving the club within three points of the final Liga MX playoff spot with only three games remaining. Compatriot Michael Orozco got the start and played 90 minutes in the win.


AZ Cam Johannsson2 by goalsandmore

Aron Johannsson—ASN rank #17
Only days removed from his scoring first international goal, a stunning stoppage-time winner against Panama, Johannsson resumed his scorching club form over the weekend. Taking on Cambuur, the 22-year-old had a hand in all three goals for AZ in the club’s first match under new manager Dick Advocaat. Down 1-0 early, Johannsson helped equalize in the 35th minute, feeding Roy Beerens on a breakaway for the goal. Beerens returned to favor in the 43rd minute, allowing Johannsson to pull the home side ahead after cooly trapping his deflected cross and expertly finishing with the outside of his left boot. The match was put of reach in the 68th minute after Johannsson notched his second of the day with a filthy cut-back/curler combination off a quickly taken free kick. Through 10 matches, Johannsson now has seven league goals—third in Eredivisie scoring.

Steve Cherundolo—ASN rank #18
With the injuries piling up for the U.S. national team, it’s a welcome sight to see Steve Cherundolo back in training with Hannover 96. Elder statesman for Die Roten, Cherundolo, 34, has not featured in a league match for the club since May, but after three off-season knee surgeries helooks poised to make his return in what would be his 12th Bundesliga campaign. Seventh-place Hannover take on Fabian Johnson and Hoffenheim on Saturday.

Terrence Boyd—ASN rank #21
After delivering the winning assist in the United States 3-2 victory over Panama, Boyd was back with Rapid Vienna this past weekend, helping spark a second-half comeback and salvage a point in a 2-2 draw with Sturm Graz. Coming on at halftime with Rapid down 2-0, Boyd converted a penalty in the 64th minute to help his team earn a share of the spoils at home. The goal was Boyd's sixth in 12 matches this season.

Nick Rimando—ASN rank #27
Nick Rimando didn't face an onslaught during Saturday night’s exciting-but-scoreless draw between Real Salt Lake and Portland Timbers, but the 34-year-old goalkeeper was in the hero in stoppage time. He palmed away a free kick from Will Johnson after the 90-minute mark before cradling Sal Zizzo’s follow-up header. Still mathematically alive for the Supporter’s Shield, Rimando and Real Salt Lake wrap up the regular season on Thursday night against Chivas USA.

John Brooks—ASN rank #30
John Brooks returned to training for Hertha Berlin this week. Coming off a dislocated elbow suffered during U.S. training camp last month, Brooks could make his on-field return as soon as next week when a surging Hertha side takes on league leaders Bayern Munich.

Alejandro Bedoya—ASN rank #31
Bedoya found the back of the net for the first time in Ligue 1 on Saturday, leading surprise squad Nantes to a 1-0 win over Ajaccio. Coming on as a late substitute in ta scoreless draw, Bedoya helped break the deadlock by finishing a cross from Filip Djordjevic off an unmarked backpost run. Winners of its last four, Nantes is in the midst of a dream run after earning promotion to the French top flight last season. Currently in fourth, the Canaries are in for a huge test on Friday, taking on third place Lille with a chance to move further up the league table.

Brek Shea—ASN rank #32
After failing to break into the Stoke City gameday roster so far this season, the Telegraph is reporting that Stoke Manager Mark Hughes is ready to send Shea out on loan to an unnamed English Championship side in order to secure some first-team minutes for the 23-year old winger. The deal is expected to be completed sometime this week. Over the weekend, Shea was again with the Stoke under-21 side, scoring a goal in a 2-0 win over Reading before being sent off with a late red card. Maurice Edu also started and played 90 minutes for the Potters.

Mike Magee—ASN rank #42
Mike Magee continues to do Mike Magee things. In a must-win matchup with Toronto FC, the hometown hero kept Chicago's playoff hopes alive , converting a 63rd-minute penalty kick in a 1-0 win to move the Fire into fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Did I mention it was an uber-classy panenka that also brought him level with Marco DiVaio at 20 goals in the race for the MLS Golden Boot? Well, it was. With the victory, Chicago now controls its playoff destiny, as a win next week against league leaders New York will secure passage into the postseason.

Jonathan Spector—ASN rank #47
Just the latest in an absurdly long list of American injuries, Birmingham City FC reported this week that utility man Jonathan Spector could miss up to three months with an aggravated thigh injury. Manager Lee Clark bemoaned the injury by highlighting Spector’s versatility: “That is a massive blow to me, not just because of the way he has been playing, but he’s played well at center-back, right-back, right wing-back, midfielder. You are basically losing the equivalent of two or three players.”

Oguchi Onyewu—ASN rank #61
On the pre-silly season rumors front, it looks like veteran defender Oguchi Onyewu may have a few suitors lined up for his services. Various reports emerged this weekend with Belgian sides Gent and Brugge apparently showing interest. Another report from MLSSoccer.com has the 31-year-old currently training with top English Championship side Queens Park Rangers.

Kelyn Rowe—ASN rank #78
Sure, New England Revolution picked up a vital three points in a dramatic 3-2 win over Columbus Crew, leaving the Revs in control of its destiny heading into the final week of the MLS regular season. And yes, the criminally underrated Rowe did pick up his seventh assist of the year when A.J. Soares turned home his free-kick effort in the 32nd minute. But did you see this world class pass from Rowe? Shame on you, Juan Agudelo!

Josh Deaver is a former academic turned soccer obsessive. Follow him on Twitter.

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