Americans in the UK: Cup Weekend Victories

By Matthew Braine

It was FA Cup fever this past weekend, as over 25 fixtures took place across England. While only five Americans participated in these contests, four of them achieved victory and a ticket to the fourth round. Tim Howard helped pace a sluggish Everton side past Macclesfield Town while Brad Friedel made a few quality stops on the way to another Villa win. Clint Dempsey blazed a trail across the pitch against Sheffield Wednesday, but it was teammate Andy Johnson who powered the Cottagers to the next round. Finally, Jay DeMerit led Watford past Scunthorpe United.

League play resumes this weekend and with both Everton and Aston Villa challenging the perennial “top four” along with Fulham and West Ham experiencing revivals, it should be an exciting 2009. Let’s not forget that both Reading and MK Dons are in tight battles for both Championship and League One titles respectively.

Premiership:

Tim Howard, Everton
vs. Macclesfield Town, 0-1, 90 minutes, 2 saves, 0 goals conceded.

Everton sleepwalked through a brutally boring game on Saturday, edging Macclesfield Town on the road in their FA Cup tie. The Toffees grabbed the lead just before the half when Leon Osman launched a powerful strike from just outside the box that managed to beat keeper Jonny Brain. Everton slowed the game down to a snail’s pace thereafter, as neither team looked anxious to score. The home squad squandered a few early opportunities before conceding to Everton and playing on their back foot for most of the day. It wasn’t until the waning seconds of stoppage time that Howard was even called into action as he made a diving, full-armed stop of a Simon Yeo strike. The Merseyside club progress to the next round, making up for an embarrassing home defeat to Oldman at this stage last season.
Up Next: Saturday, home to Hull City.

Brad Friedel, Aston Villa.
vs. Hull City, 0-1, 90 minutes, 0 saves, 0 goals conceded.
vs. Gilligham, 1-2, 90 minutes, 4 saves, 1 goal conceded.

The Villains ended 2008 in fourth place as they defeated Hull 1-0 behind a disastrous own goal by Kamil Zayatte in the 88th minute. The Tigers should have been up 1-0 due to an error by Friedel, however, Nick Barmby’s goal was disallowed for infringement. On Sunday, Villa was outplayed by Gilligham at times but James Milner’s two goals sent Villa into the next round of the FA Cup. Friedel played better yesterday, making a few clutch saves, but the squad was helped a bit by a questionable penalty decision that led to Milner’s second strike. It looked as though Ashley Young was only loosely bumped by defender Adam Miller, however, referee Keith Stroud pointed to the spot, gifting the lead and eventual win to the Birmingham outfit.
Up Next: Saturday, home to WBA.

Brad Guzan and Eric Lichaj, Aston Villa

No action for the duo over the weekend. Guzan backed up Friedel, while Lichaj continues to ply his trade with the Reserves.

Clint Dempsey, Fulham
vs. Sheffield Wednesday, 1-2, 90 minutes.

Dempsey was very aggressive on Saturday along with teammate Andy Johnson, whose brace gave Fulham a deserved 2-1 win over Wednesday in the FA Cup. Dempsey unleashed six shots on goal, troubling keeper Lee Grant multiple times and creating some havoc in the box. The U.S. International has certainly found his stride and has help guide the London club past preseason expectations thus far.
Up Next: Saturday, home to Blackburn.

Jonathan Spector, West Ham
vs. Barnsley, 3-0, DNP.

Spector was on the bench but did not get on as the Hammers dominated Barnsley 3-0 to advance in the FA Cup competition. Goals from Mark Noble, Carlton, Cole, and Herita NkongoloIlunga paced West Ham to victory as they controlled the match from the opening minute.
Up Next: Saturday, away to Newcastle United.

Championship Round-Up:

Marcus Hahnemann and Bobby Convey, Reading

Convey made a rare appearance on Saturday, starting for the Royals in their FA Cup tie against Cardiff. The winger played 74 minutes and uncorked a few shots, most of which were not on target except a well taken free kick that was stopped by Peter Enckelman. Hahnemann is still sidelined and was not dressed for the match.

Eddie Johnson, Cardiff

Johnson was not dressed for Cardiff’s 2-0 win over Reading. The striker has found it hard to break back into the squad after the return of several players sent him to the bench.

Jay DeMerit, Watford

DeMerit helped his squad progress in the FA Cup as Watford defeated Scunthorpe United 1-0 on Saturday. Grzegorz Rasiak scored the lone goal for the home side in a game that was definitively uninspiring. Although the match left much to be desired, the victory could help steer Watford in the right direction. Before Saturday’s win, they’d only won twice since mid-November.

Frank Simek, Sheffield Wednesday

Simek is still sidelined and should be for a couple more weeks. His Owls crashed out of the FA Cup to Fulham on Saturday.

Meanwhile Up In Scotland…

DaMarcus Beasley and Maurice Edu, Rangers
vs. Inverness, 0-3, both DNP.

Neither Rangers American dressed for the SPL fixture. While Edu has seen times with the Reserves, Beasley has been a bit banged up recently which could be a reason for his lack of playing time.
Up Next: Tuesday, away to St. Johnstone (Scottish Cup) and Saturday, home to Falkirk.

Matthew Braine's feature "Americans in the UK" appears every Monday on Goal.com. He can be reached at matthew.braine@hotmail.com