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Americans In The UK: Where Is The Love?
What gives? Brad Friedel and Tim Howard are the only two Americans getting regular time in England. At least the pair of Yanks at Rangers are showing well.
Sep 14, 2008 8:49:01 PM
By Matthew Braine
The new campaign has been a sputtering one for the Americans in England thus far. Only Tim Howard and Brad Friedel are getting consistent starts in the top flight while the rest of the players are either coming off the bench or recovering from injury.
Howard helped his squad get a much-needed victory over Stoke on Sunday while Friedel looks set to take on Spurs Monday. Down a division, it was a tough week, as Reading and Watford both took 2-0 losses.
Elsewhere in the UK, Maurice Edu made his Rangers debut with countryman DeMarcus Beasley on the pitch as well. The two nearly hooked up early for a goal but the Kilmarnock defense was well up to task.
English Premier League:
Tim Howard, Everton
vs. Stoke City (90 minutes, 2 goals conceded, 2 saves)
The Toffees looked like they were in complete control, taking a 2-0 lead early into the second half. However, just 12 minutes later, the score was knotted at 2-2 after an unstoppable Seyi Olofinjana strike coupled with a Phil Jagielka own goal. Howard looked sharp coming off two clean-sheet performances for the U.S. and was not responsible for either goal as the Everton defense struggled with throw-in’s and set pieces all day. Luckily for the Liverpool outfit, Tim Cahill came through with a late header that turned out to be the winner. It was a match that should not have been close at all; Everton were denied a clear penalty when a Stoke player handled in the box but a free kick was the decision instead of the deserved penalty. With the win, Howard’s team moves into the top half of the league after spending the last two weeks hanging in the relegation zone. Up Next: Thursday, home to Standard Liege (UEFA Cup), Sunday away to Hull
Brad Friedel, Brad Guzan, and Eric Lichaj, Aston Villa
vs. Tottenham (Monday evening)
Friedel and the gang will take on Spurs Monday evening which should be a tough match up for the Villans, who have looked shaky since their opening week drubbing of Manchester City. Guzan could see time during the upcoming Carling Cup ties. Lichaj played with the reserves last week and reportedly played very well as the squad beat the Spurs reserves 1-0. Up Next: Thursday away to Liteks Lovetch (UEFA Cup), Sunday away to West Brom
Clint Dempsey, Fulham
vs. Bolton (DNP)
Dempsey was on the bench for the match against Bolton. New signing Andrew Johnson made his debut as the Cottagers rolled to a 2-1 win. Dempsey netted the winner against Cuba last week and put one in against Trinidad & Tobago so fatigue may have been a factor is Roy Hodgson’s decision to not play him. Up Next: Saturday away to Blackburn
Jonathan Spector, West Ham
vs. West Brom (DNP)
Spector was not involved in the 3-2 defeat on Saturday. The Hammers have clearly been troubled by the recent management movement within the club. The loss to the newly promoted club is the low point of the season thus far especially after the brilliant 4-1 victory over Blackburn last time out. The East London club will come up against an equally troubled club next week when they take on Newcastle. Up Next: Saturday home to Newcastle
Championship Round-Up:
Jay DeMerit, Watford
DeMerit played well but saw his side defeated 2-0 on Saturday at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday. The Hornets are off to an absolute average start with two wins, two losses, and a draw this season. They have a busy week starting Tuesday when they take on Plymouth, who reside dead last in the standings. Saturday’s contest brings Reading to town which could feature three Yanks.
Frank Simek, Sheffield Wednesday
The Owls jumped into the top six after defeating Watford 2-0 on Saturday. Simek, still nursing an ankle injury was not available for the match but should be fit by the beginning of October. Wednesday have two matches this week, taking on Reading and Ipswich in league play.
Marcus Hahnemann and Bobby Convey, Reading
Reading fell to Ipswich on Saturday, a 2-0 defeat at the hands of a few Jonathans. Both Jonathan Stead and Walters tallied for the home side, beating Hahnemann in the second half. The keeper did stop six shots on the day but his counterpart, Richard Wright, was even better, keeping a clean sheet while holding nine shots back. Convey got on for the last 15 minutes but could not create much for the Royals.
Eddie Johnson, Cardiff
Johnson did not get on for Cardiff as they settled for another draw, this time against Bristol City. The Bluebirds have four draws from five games this season and cannot seem to find the net lately, going scoreless over the last 180 minutes, which makes one wonder why EJ isn’t at least getting a few late minutes.
Meanwhile Up In Scotland…
DaMarcus Beasley, Rangers
vs. Kilmarnock (45 minutes)
Beasley had some nice runs in the second half, but after producing nothing in the opening stanza, Walter Smith replaced him with Nacho Novo, looking for more attacking play. The manager’s move paid off, as Kris Boyd notched a second-half brace en route to a 2-1 victory. The win gives Rangers a firm three point lead in the league as they remain unbeaten in league play. Up Next: Sunday home to Motherwell.
Maurice Edu, Rangers
vs. Kilmarnock (65 minutes)
Rangers’ middleman Kevin Thomson failed a late fitness test, which allowed Edu to make his Rangers debut on Saturday. He found his compatriot Beasley early in the match with a crisp pass, but Beasley was not quick enough with his shot. Having just returned to Scotland from international duty, Edu was replaced midway through the second half by Charlie Adams, but by any account the former Toronto FC man certainly had a successful debut for the club. He should see some extended play this season.
Matthew Braine's "Americans in England" column appears every Monday during the season. He can be reached at matthew.braine@hotmail.com.
The new campaign has been a sputtering one for the Americans in England thus far. Only Tim Howard and Brad Friedel are getting consistent starts in the top flight while the rest of the players are either coming off the bench or recovering from injury.
Howard helped his squad get a much-needed victory over Stoke on Sunday while Friedel looks set to take on Spurs Monday. Down a division, it was a tough week, as Reading and Watford both took 2-0 losses.
Elsewhere in the UK, Maurice Edu made his Rangers debut with countryman DeMarcus Beasley on the pitch as well. The two nearly hooked up early for a goal but the Kilmarnock defense was well up to task.
English Premier League:
Tim Howard, Everton
vs. Stoke City (90 minutes, 2 goals conceded, 2 saves)
The Toffees looked like they were in complete control, taking a 2-0 lead early into the second half. However, just 12 minutes later, the score was knotted at 2-2 after an unstoppable Seyi Olofinjana strike coupled with a Phil Jagielka own goal. Howard looked sharp coming off two clean-sheet performances for the U.S. and was not responsible for either goal as the Everton defense struggled with throw-in’s and set pieces all day. Luckily for the Liverpool outfit, Tim Cahill came through with a late header that turned out to be the winner. It was a match that should not have been close at all; Everton were denied a clear penalty when a Stoke player handled in the box but a free kick was the decision instead of the deserved penalty. With the win, Howard’s team moves into the top half of the league after spending the last two weeks hanging in the relegation zone. Up Next: Thursday, home to Standard Liege (UEFA Cup), Sunday away to Hull
Brad Friedel, Brad Guzan, and Eric Lichaj, Aston Villa
vs. Tottenham (Monday evening)
Friedel and the gang will take on Spurs Monday evening which should be a tough match up for the Villans, who have looked shaky since their opening week drubbing of Manchester City. Guzan could see time during the upcoming Carling Cup ties. Lichaj played with the reserves last week and reportedly played very well as the squad beat the Spurs reserves 1-0. Up Next: Thursday away to Liteks Lovetch (UEFA Cup), Sunday away to West Brom
Clint Dempsey, Fulham
vs. Bolton (DNP)
Dempsey was on the bench for the match against Bolton. New signing Andrew Johnson made his debut as the Cottagers rolled to a 2-1 win. Dempsey netted the winner against Cuba last week and put one in against Trinidad & Tobago so fatigue may have been a factor is Roy Hodgson’s decision to not play him. Up Next: Saturday away to Blackburn
Jonathan Spector, West Ham
vs. West Brom (DNP)
Spector was not involved in the 3-2 defeat on Saturday. The Hammers have clearly been troubled by the recent management movement within the club. The loss to the newly promoted club is the low point of the season thus far especially after the brilliant 4-1 victory over Blackburn last time out. The East London club will come up against an equally troubled club next week when they take on Newcastle. Up Next: Saturday home to Newcastle
Championship Round-Up:
Jay DeMerit, Watford
DeMerit played well but saw his side defeated 2-0 on Saturday at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday. The Hornets are off to an absolute average start with two wins, two losses, and a draw this season. They have a busy week starting Tuesday when they take on Plymouth, who reside dead last in the standings. Saturday’s contest brings Reading to town which could feature three Yanks.
Frank Simek, Sheffield Wednesday
The Owls jumped into the top six after defeating Watford 2-0 on Saturday. Simek, still nursing an ankle injury was not available for the match but should be fit by the beginning of October. Wednesday have two matches this week, taking on Reading and Ipswich in league play.
Marcus Hahnemann and Bobby Convey, Reading
Reading fell to Ipswich on Saturday, a 2-0 defeat at the hands of a few Jonathans. Both Jonathan Stead and Walters tallied for the home side, beating Hahnemann in the second half. The keeper did stop six shots on the day but his counterpart, Richard Wright, was even better, keeping a clean sheet while holding nine shots back. Convey got on for the last 15 minutes but could not create much for the Royals.
Eddie Johnson, Cardiff
Johnson did not get on for Cardiff as they settled for another draw, this time against Bristol City. The Bluebirds have four draws from five games this season and cannot seem to find the net lately, going scoreless over the last 180 minutes, which makes one wonder why EJ isn’t at least getting a few late minutes.
Meanwhile Up In Scotland…
DaMarcus Beasley, Rangers
vs. Kilmarnock (45 minutes)
Beasley had some nice runs in the second half, but after producing nothing in the opening stanza, Walter Smith replaced him with Nacho Novo, looking for more attacking play. The manager’s move paid off, as Kris Boyd notched a second-half brace en route to a 2-1 victory. The win gives Rangers a firm three point lead in the league as they remain unbeaten in league play. Up Next: Sunday home to Motherwell.
Maurice Edu, Rangers
vs. Kilmarnock (65 minutes)
Rangers’ middleman Kevin Thomson failed a late fitness test, which allowed Edu to make his Rangers debut on Saturday. He found his compatriot Beasley early in the match with a crisp pass, but Beasley was not quick enough with his shot. Having just returned to Scotland from international duty, Edu was replaced midway through the second half by Charlie Adams, but by any account the former Toronto FC man certainly had a successful debut for the club. He should see some extended play this season.
Matthew Braine's "Americans in England" column appears every Monday during the season. He can be reached at matthew.braine@hotmail.com.
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