Americans On The Continent: Comeback Kid Jozy

By Aaron West

Jozy Altidore was rewarded for his good performance against Recreativo Huelva with another start in Villarreal’s exciting 3-3 draw with Getafe.  Altidore went the full 90, and further cemented his reputation as one of the United States’ most exciting young talents ever.

Altidore and Villarreal began the match in a haze, falling behind to Spanish Under-21 international Esteban Granero’s 10^th minute strike from a Juan Manuel Albin pass.  Jaime Gavilan quickly wrapped another tentacle around the sinking Yellow Submarine, doubling the visitors’ lead just seven minutes later, finishing a Cosmin Contra cross with aplomb.  On 30 minutes, Gavilan turned provider, making a run to the endline and pulling it back for Francisco Casquero to hammer home from outside the box.

Villarreal retreated into the locker room shell-shocked, but emerged with a newfound vigor and resolve.  After only 10 minutes, Jozy Altidore’s powerful header forced Pato Abbondanzieri into a diving save, and after a brief scramble Santi Cazorla’s mishit attempt struck Robert Pires and wobbled into the net to begin the fightback.

Altidore and fellow New Jersey native Giuseppe Rossi showed signs of their growing understanding on and off the pitch as they nearly linked up in the 73^rd minute.  Altidore’s clever backheel from the top of the box left Rossi with a golden attempt, but the Italian international struck just wide with his right foot.  Altidore had a shout for a penalty turned down in the 81^st minute, but his muted protests fell on deaf ears. 

Villarreal continued to press, and in the 83^rd minute Diego Godin headed down pocket-sized Argentinean Ariel Ibagaza’s free kick for Sebastian Eguren to smash past Pato.  El Submarino Amarillo completed the comeback just two minutes later when Rossi controlled Euro 2008 winner Joan Capdevila’s long ball and finished off Abbondanzieri’s leg to round out the match at 3-3. 

Altidore remained on the pitch for 90 minutes, showing a bit of rust, but putting in a solid performance overall.  His runs lacked timing occasionally, but his budding understanding with Rossi is undeniable, as is his obvious promise for the future.  Altidore will not be available for the Champions League match against Celtic, but he has put himself in serious contention for a spot in Villarreal’s next league match against Sevilla.

Jozy Altidore, Villarreal C.F. (Spain)

vs. Getafe, 3-3, 90 minutes 

See above.

Next up: Away to Celtic (Champions League), Wednesday, December 10; Away to Sevilla, Sunday, December 14

Oguchi Onyewu, Standard Liege (Belgium)

vs. Sampdoria, 3-0, 90 minutes, goal; vs. Zulte-Waregem, 1-2, 90 minutes

Oguchi Onyewu continued their spate of good form in the UEFA Cup coupled with poor league play.  On Wednesday, the giant centre back helped lead his Standard side to a 3-0 win over Italian side Sampdoria.  Headed goals from Igor De Camargo and the man himself within the first 35 minutes helped assure Standard’s smooth passage to the next round and take the side three points clear on top of Group C.

Following their huge win, Standard returned home to face Zulte-Waregem in the Jupiler League.  After going into the lead just before half-time thanks to Deiudonne Mbokani, Standard allowed Zulte-Waregem to equalize in the 62^nd minute.  Just before the death, 19-year-old Swiss striker Danijel Subotic popped up in the box, stabbing home a 90^th minute goal and condemning Standard to another league loss.

Next up: Away to Club Brugge, Saturday, December 13

Michael Bradley, Borussia Monchengladbach (Germany)

vs. Bayer Leverkusen, 1-3, 27 minutes

Michael Bradley was dropped to the bench against Leverkusen on Saturday, appearing as a second-half substitute in the 63^rd minute.  Bradley’s introduction for the more defensive Patrick Paauwe nearly paid dividends immediately as his long-range strike only a minute after he stepped on the field forced Rene Adler into an uncomfortable save.  Four minutes later, Bradley threatened again from the top of the box, again making Adler work.  However, Bradley was unable to help his side come back, and the matched ended 3-1.  The loss leaves M’Gladbach in danger of relegation in 18^th position as the team heads to the Westfalenstadion to face Neven Subotic and Borussia Dortmund.

Next up: Away to Borussia Dortmund, Friday, December 12

Neven Subotic, Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

Away to Arminia Bielefeld, 0-0, 90 minutes

Dortmund came into the match on a nine-year winless streak at Arminia Bielefeld, hoping to break the trend.  Neven Subotic put in a strong performance as his side kept Bielefeld scoreless, but he was unable to pop up with another trademark headed goal to fire Dortmund to the win.  Dortmund’s best chance of the match did indeed come from Subotic around 30 minutes into the match when his powerful header was punched away by the Bielefeld goalkeeper Dennis Eilhoff.  The match ended scoreless, furthering the winless streak at Bielefeld and continuing the side’s recent up and down form.  Next up, Subotic and company face Michael Bradley’s floundering M’Gladbach side at home.

Next up: vs. Borussia Monchengladbach, Friday, December 12

Carlos Bocanegra, Rennes (France)

Away to Caen, 1-1, 90 minutes

Carlos Bocanegra and his Rennes teammates put in yet another solid defensive display, extending their unbeaten run to 15 games.  Bocanegra came within inches of scoring within the first three minutes of the match, hammering a right-footed shot off the Caen bar.  However, Caen went into the break in the lead courtesy of a 45^th minute Benjamin Nivet goal.  Moussa Sow pulled one back for Rennes in the 77^th minute, and the high-flying side held onto third position in French Ligue 1.

Next up: vs. Nantes, Saturday, December 13

Square Passes

Gregg Berhalter and 1860 Munich fell for the second time in the row in the German Bundesliga 2., losing 2-0 to Alemannia Aachen.  

Luis Robles continued his extended run in the first team for Kaiserslautern, covering for injured keeper Tobias Sippel.  Robles and the Kaiserslautern defense held MSV Duisburg scoreless in their 0-0 draw in the Bundesliga 2.

Matthew Taylor recorded two assists in FC St. Pauli’s match against TuS Koblenz, but was unable to spur his side to victory in their 3-2 in the Bundesliga 2.

Neither Steve Cherundolo nor Sal Zizzo dressed for Hannover’s 2-1 loss to Wolfsburg in the German Bundesliga.

Lee Nguyen saw 18 minutes of action for Randers FC, but was unable to help his side come back from 2-1 down against AaB.

Danny Califf played all 90 minutes for FC Midtjylland against Sonderjyske, picking up a 39^th minute yellow card as they drew 1-1. 

Finally, Freddy Adu was brought on as an 89^th minute substitute for Monaco against Sochaux, but was understandably unable to help his side break the deadlock, and the match ended 1-1.

Aaron West’s Americans on the Continent appears every Monday on Goal.com.