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Soccer Goals: As Ricardo Clark, Landon Donovan, and Stuart Holden garnered praise for their European moves this offseason, another MLS departure, Herculez Gomez move to Puebla, was overlooked and ignored during the holiday break.

 

Now many are paying attention.

 

Soccer Videos: Hercules debut goal and scores game winner against San Luis

 

 

After scoring his first goal in his second game for Puebla with a scintilating header, observers have taken notice, realizing that Herculez' move to the Mexican Primera Division has been fruitful.

 

Lumping myself in that bunch, those who forgot about his move to Puebla, I realized that Gomez was on the bench, while I was tuning in to observe Edgar Castillo's exploits against Puebla in Jornada 1. In his debut second-half appearance, the former Wizard impressed in 20 minutes of play, almost scoring on several dangerous attacking sequences in a 0-1 defeat. In Jornada 2, the dynamic attacker broke his goal scoring silence, that carried over since his Wizard days, exploiting his aerial prowess and netting the header.

 

Since the beginning of the season, it was evident that the the US Copa America participant belongs down south. He has scored more goals with Puebla than he tallied with the Kansas City Wizards, where he scored one goal in 34 appearances.

 

So, why the differerence? For starters, the former Galaxy standout has moved back to his preferred forward role. Secondly, the Mexican Primera Liga emphasizes the player's technical abilities, which can create multiple goal-scoring opportunities. Despite having received superior service in Mexico compared to the likes of the Wizard's Claudio Lopez and Jack Jewsbury, Gomez offensive attributes have enabled him to thrive early on, boasting a blend of speed, size, technical ability, and aerial prowess, that has tormented opposing defenses on counter attacking sequences and set-piece plays.

 

Hopefully, his move will entice other dual-citizen players with Mexican/American heritage to ply their trade down south, while, also, catching the eye of Mexican Club executives, who would like to diversify their teams by acquiring players with contrasting skill sets.

 

Chivas USA team mates Jonathon Bornstein and Sacha Kljestan comes to mind, when discussing potential prospects, who could transition from MLS to the Mexican Primera Division. The former could be a desirable candidate, because of his dual-citizenship and free-agent status after the conclusion of the 2010 season, while the latter's skill set and passing meshes well with the Mexican League's play, coupled with his imposing stature and free-agent status would make him a viable future candidate . 

 

Having not been very impressed with Herculez Gomez in Kansas City and underperforming for the Colorado Rapids, I am glad to see the US international succeeding in his new home. Perhaps, his play could inspire more clubs to survey potential North American acquisitions.

 

MLS players could learn a different style of play, improving the technical aspects of their game, while offering their own attribtues to the Mexican league. This exchange would be beneficial for both Mexico and the US. Let's hope that the trend continues.

 

What do you think of Gomez' play? Will he continue to excel in Mexico? Which MLS player would you like to see in Mexico? Share your thoughts.

 

Included are blogs that discuss Soccer Goals: Herculez Gomez experiences success in new position and league

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Soccer goals: The central midfield position is considered the deepest of the USMNT, but several injuries to key player has left the defensive-midfield cupboard empty, as the Red, White, and Blue prepare to face Netherlands on March 3rd.

 

Soccer Videos: Torres 25-yard bomb against Puebla

 

 

With injuries to Ricardo Clark, Jermaine Jones, Benny Feilhaber, and Maurice Edu (who has since returned the Ranger's first team but has seen little playing time since last April), Coach Bradley should be grateful for the remaining in-form prospects, Michael Bradley and Jose Francisco Torres, a player who could offer a different look to the team that will, also, be missing Clint Dempsey, Charlie Davies, and Oguchi Oneyewu.

 

Focusing on the central midfield that will face the likes of De Jong, Van Bommel, and Sneijder (or several other midfield scenarios), Coach Bradley might have to consider adapting a different philospy against the highly talented Oranje,  a team that should hold a majority of the possession during the game.

 

With fewer horses in the stable to corral Oranje's beautiful football, feisty and diminutive midfielder, Jose Francisco Torres, could earn a starting spot, if Bradley elects the most in-form central midfielder. The Texas native has been performing admirably in league play, where he recently admitted that he had previously rested on his laurels which caused a dip in his play. However, his game has reached new levels as he has earned back his starting position and plays with a newly found confidence evident in the 22-year old.

 

Previously, Torres' play has offered a mix-bag of reviews on the international stage, where he has been both praised and criticized for the qualifiers against Costa Rica. His major playing time started in El Salvador as a second-half substitute, offering quick exchanges and accurate crossing, while inspiring a stagnant offense to score two-late-game goals resulting in a 2-2 draw. That performance earned the respect of the coaching staff, where his starting debut unfolded tragically against Costa Rica in Saprissa Stadium, resulting in the 3-1 beat down.

 

As Torres burdened a share of the blame for the defeat, grading his debut performance based on the US' performance is unfair, when the coaching staff should shoulder the majority of the  blame for starting with an experimental 4-3-3, that included veteran Pablo Maestroni a fading component in the USMNT scene, while failing to cover ground and offering little leadership. To make matters worse, Bradley debuted two new wing-backs Marvell Wynne and newly-minted left back, DaMarcus Beasley (an experiment that was scrapped shortly after that performance). It is safe to say, that his debut performance should have received amnesty or at least an asterik for the tactical meltdown.

 

Fast forward to the final hexagonal qualifier against Costa Rica, where Gringo Torres shined brightly as a holding midfielder -- a similar style of play that Claudio Reyna demonstrated for both club and country -- sparking the offense, facilitating possession, and providing crucial defensive stops. His play will not be forgotten by US fans, and he should receive similar accolades from Catracho fans, who adore Jonathan Bornstein for his header and triumphant heroics to qualify Honduras for South Africa.

 

Now parlaying his international experience with his club play, despite his small stature but creative flair, the Tuzo midfielder assumes his primary duties as a defensive midfielder but is also in charge of jump starting the Pachuca offense. Against Puebla last week, Gringo struck a marvelous 25-yard set piece bomb for the game winner, which also witnessed an athletic celebratory back flip circa 1988 Ozzie Smith .

 

While  playing for Pachucha in this role, the feisty midfielder has offered accurate passing, astute and quick exchanges, and the requesite defensive bite to maintiain good team balance. Against Chivas USA last night, his probing runs and field-switching passes provided excellent ball movement, which is subtle reminder to why he starts for one of the elite Mexican clubs.

 

Soccer Videos: Torres shines against Chivas USA in 0-1 defeat

 

 

To suggest that Torres is currently playing at his finest is not far fetched by any stretch of the imagination. The question now remains: Will he play important role in the Netherland friendly?

 

Will Torres earn a starting spot against the Dutch? Could you envision Edu earning the nod over Gringo Torres? Share your thoughts.

 

Included are blogs that discuss Soccer Goals: Will Jose Franciso Torres earn a starting position against Netherlands

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Soccer goals: Forward Charlie Davies returned to Sochaux on Wednesday, meeting with his team mates for the first time after suffering a severe injury in October in Washington DC two days before the final hexagonal qualifier against Costa Rica.

 

Soccer Videos: The Charlie Davies returns to Sochaux

 

As many pundits suggested that a potential six month recovery would be impossible, the US forward has progressed miracously and hopes to return to Sochaux in April. Although he would not declare a comeback date, he believes that his return will sooner than most would have expected.

 

If Davies returns to good form (though it will be an uphill battle), his stunning recovery will complicate Coach Bradley's roster selection of the USMNT for the World Cup.

 

Will Davies return before the French season concludes? Will he return to a strong form? Share your thoughts.

 

Included are blogs that discuss Soccer Goals: Charlie Davies returns to Sochaux

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Soccer Goals: It appears that frequently maligned Freddy Adu has finally found a football home, after struggling to find playing time with Benefica, Monaco, and Belenenses. On Sunday, the attacking midfielder scored his first Greek League goal and game winner.

 

Soccer Videos: Adu scores against Skoda Xanthi

 

 

In his second start in Greek Cup action, the American abroad starlet netted his second consecutive goal in the quarterfinal second-leg victory against Skoda Xanthi, winning 3-0 to advance to the semi-finals. In order to improve his Greek resume, Adu set up the third goal with a superb long pass, that eventually lead to Koke's goal and the 3-0 victory.

 

What was most impressive is that Freddy Adu has embraced Coach Kuper's philosophy and has demonstrated his fair share of defensive work, as well. If the U-20 standout hopes to earn a callup for the Netherland friendly on March 3rd, he must continue to impress as a two-way player, an attribute that hindered him at the club and international level over the past two years.

 

 What is your take on the recent improvement in the Yank's abroad game? Is he willing to grind it out defensively, while remaining engaged offensively? Share your thoughts.

 

Included are blogs that discuss Soccer Goals: Freddy Adu scores again in Greek Cup

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Soccer Goals: Could it be that Jozy Altidore opened the goal-scoring flood gates after he scored his first Barclays Premiere League goal? It seems that his play is contagious and has spread faster than H1N1(swine flu), as Jose Francisco Torres and Freddy Adu scored goals this weekend.

 

Midfielder Freddy Adu took full advantage of his starting role scoring the game winner in Aris Salonika's 2-1 win vs. Ergotelis on Sunday, playing 62 minutes. Aris Salonika's win moves them within a point from the top four of the Greek Super League.

 

In Mexican Primera Division play, Jose Francisco scored a beautiful 25-yard free kick goal,  which stunned the keeper and allowed Pachucha to defeat Hercules Gomez and Puebla 5-3.

 

Michael Bradley continues to impress with Borrussia Moenchengladbach setting up the first goal on a beautiful through ball, which helped secure a 2-1 victory against Nurenberg on Friday.

 

Let's take a look at who impressed this weekend and who did not for the Top Five American's Abroad February 7-14th.

 

1. Jose Francisco Torres, Pachuca - Playing a more holding role for Pachuca which has limited his offensive output, El Gringo Torres shined brightly with a superb set-piece kick that left the goal keeper stunned and American supporters delighted. After the diminutive forward scored the fanatstic goal, his celebration demonstrated his joy and offered a glimpse of athleticism as he back flipped, as if he were Ozzie Smith circa 1987 in the World Series.  It appears that the hamstring has recovered to full strength, and he could make a strong case for a starting position against the Netherlands, with the recent injuries to Edu, Jones, Feilhaber, and Clark.

 

 

2. Freddy Adu, Aris Salonika - Now with his second consecutive start and his first Greek League goal, it seems that the fallen-star has caught a break, as his playing time has increased tremendously since moving to Aris where he earned 62 minutes on Sunday. His game winning goal was set up nicely by Neto, who crossed the ball to a streaking Adu, who capitalized on poor marking in their 2-1 victory over Ergotelis.

With injuries galore plaguing the US midfield, could Adu receive a call up for the Netherland's friendly, if he can maintain his form and starting position for Aris?

 

 

3. Michael Bradley, Borrusia Mochengladbach - As many of our top central midfielders are sidelined due to injuries, it is promising to see at least one of our starters producing in the top European leagues this week. The US midfielder is doing just that, as he earned praise from announcers in their 2-1 victory over Nurenberg. His sublime through ball set up the first goal, and his abundant energy kept the Nurenberg offense at bay.

 

4. Eddie Johnson, Aris Salonika - Earned a starting role in 62 minutes of play, holding up the ball and setting up the first goal for Aris in a 2-1 victory over Ergotelis. Keeping his starting role and scoring goals could go along way to his inclusion for the Netherland's friendly.

 

5. Daniel Williams, SC Freiburg - If Daniel Williams, SC Freiburg's starting right back, who holds both German and US nationality doesn't ring a bell, you might want to take notice, as he has began to garner attention in US supporter's circles. Besides recently earning four starts for the relegation dwellars, SC Freiburg, Williams has earned a Best Xl award already this season. He told Yanks Abroad that he would consider playing for the USA, since the German Federation has yet to call him up after playing with the U-15s.

 

Although William's natural position is defensive midfielder, he has proven his versatility by transitioning to right back, a position that could be weakened for the USMNT, if Steve Cherundolo does not return healthy from injury. SAN will monitor his progress and address any potential headlines of his future allegiance.

 

Relegation Bound (Due to poor form or lack of playing time)

1.Jermaine Jones, Schalke 04 - It is great to ponder the idea of an in-form Jones representing the USMNT in South Africa. However, his return from injury has been prolonged much longer than anyone would have expected.  Will Bradley consider him, if he is fully fit, despite not playing with his team mates before the World Cup?

 

2. Carlos Bocanegra, Rennes - Lost his starting role in a 1-0 defeat to AJ Auxerre on Saturday. Will this loss propel him back into his former starting role?

 

3. Stuart Holden, Bolton Wanderers - Bolton faced Tottenham in the FA Cup in a 1-1 draw, while Holden remained on the bench despite there being one substitution remaining. With Bolton fighting their way out of relegation, playing time could avoid the American rookie.

 

What did you think of Torres' goal? Will Adu continue to earn playing time? Do you hope that Bradley will call Williams to the Netherland Camp? Share your thoughts.

 

Included are blogs that discuss Soccer Goals: Top Five American's Abroad February 7-14th - Torres and Adu score

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 Soccer Goals: Landon Donovan's loan with Everton has proven a successful venture, as his play has catapulted the Blues up the table, when early in the season they remained in the realm of the relegation zone, a period too long for Manager Moyes' tastes.

 

Soccer Videos: LD Highlights against Chelsea in a 2-1 victory

 

Now that the English media and supporters have taken notice of Donovan's ability exploits, another player has offered his vote of confidence, after Tim Cahill earlier declared that Landon Donovan should remain with his newly-adopted team mates.

 

Praising Donovan's play during his short loan stin, right back Phil Neville has now clamored for a permanent deal to make the American Abroad a regular fixture at Everton. He spoke with Everton's official website complimenting his recent play. Here is an excerpt of his conversation.

 

Landon Donovan set up Saha’s first against Chelsea and has impressed since arriving at Goodison in January. And the Blues the Club captain says England will have singled out the American as the danger man in the USA line up when they two sides meet in the World Cup this summer.

The on-loan LA Galaxy player has a string of impressive performances under his belt in recent weeks.

But Neville says his showing against Chelsea is his best so far.

The skipper says Fabio Capello will have paid close attention to Donovan and the way he kept Ashely Cole out of the game before the left-bacl was forced off with a serios ankle injury.

"Landon was asked to do a job against Ashley Cole. The question the manager asked Landon before the game was ‘can you pose Ashley Cole a problem?’" revealed Neville.

"Well he did that, he totally nullified Ashley Cole and he posed the whole back four a problem. He was outstanding."

Donovan must return to the States next month and join back up with the Galaxy for the start of the MLS season.

But Neville hopes he could return to Everton in the future.

"For me playing at right back with him in front of me has made my job easier,” he revealed.

 

"It has been a pleasure to play with him. We just hope that maybe this kind of loan arrangement can be done again next season because he has fitted in superbly."

 

What do you think of Donovan's loan spell? Will MLS and Everton work out a deal to keep Donovan in England? Has his play surprised you?

 

Included are blogs that discuss Soccer Goals: Neville praises Donovan's Efforts

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