Soccer Goals: Considered a FIFA date where most leagues take a break to honor World Cup qualifying, League One marched on with league play in which Mike Grella and Jemal Johnson scored for their respective clubs, Leeds United and MK Dons.
Midfielder Jermaine Jones returns to Schalke 04 training sessions
Soccer goals: Returing back to the practice field after suffering a hairline fracture in his leg, Jermain Jones particpated in Schalke 04's practice session, monitored by their medical staff. After last week's cause for concern as Jones felt pain his leg, the medical staff felt that the soon-to-be US midfielder should take several days off but has now resumed training.
With the international dates haulting European play, Shalke 04 will face last place Cologne on September 13th. Uncertainty still exists to whether Jones will suit up in their next league game. Waiting on his approval for a national team switch from Germany to the USA, Jones hopes that he can regain his form so that he will be ready for his first callup for US national team duty.
After scoring a goal against his former team, Santos Laguna, sources told SBI that Edgar has completed and submitted his FIFA application to switch from the Mexican national team to the US national team. Since he received considerable criticism for wanting to make the switch to the USMNT, he has settled in well with Tigres under the direction of Coach Guzman who played for at Santos Laguna.
This soccer videos features Castillo's goal against Santos Laguna.
Los Tigres, U.A.N.L., started the season strong winning the Superliga on penalties against the Chicago Fire and currently sit in third place in group three with eight points in six games played. Changing allegiances won't guarantee a spot on the USMNT, even though it is considered their weakest position as Heath Pearce just signed with Turkey's Bursaspor and Jonathan Spector playing left and right back with West Ham United. A timetable of the allegiance switch has not been indicated, but the change could take place before the new year.
What do you think of Jones progress? Will he be an instant starter? Will Bradly give Castillo a callup in October if he is eligible for the US? Share your thoughts.
Soccer Goals: After the big forwards, Altidore and Cooper, starred in last weeks edition of American's Abroad Top Five, the more diminutive and obscure yanks abroad made their impression for their club teams. The recent born-again American, Edgar Castillo stole the show, scoring a magnificent 25-yard volley and game winner.
Although many barely know of his existence and that he is American, Jon-Paul Pittman scored his second goal of the season and game winner for Wycombe Wanders in a 2-1 victory over Bristol Rovers in English League One play. Scoring the equalizer for FC Roskilde from a corner kick, Jamil Fearrington and Roskilde prevailed with a last minute game winner to secure the 3-2 victory over Braband IF in Danish League Play.
For those of you concerned about Freddy Adu's club situation, fear no more. The 20-year old midfielder secured a one-year loan to Portugal's Belenenses. According to several sources close to SAN, Belenenses coach plans to utilized the creative midfielder for the season. Earning playing time will be his number one priority, as he is set to practice with the team on Tuesday, Sept 1st.
Without further Adu, Soccer Addict News presents to you who impressed and did not dress in the American's Abroad Top Five August 25th-31st.
Top Five American's Abroad:
1.Edgar Castillo (Tigres-Mexico): After earning an honorable mention last week for creating a tremendous attacking sequence, the New Mexico left back offered a clinical 25-yard volley and game winner against his former team, Santos Laguna. Although his official allegiance change has not been processed by FIFA, it is evident that he understands that he will not just waltz into the USMNT. Recognizing that his defensive skills needed improvement to receive a Coach Bradley invitation, Castillo mentioned that he is working to improve his defensive skills, while he feels that his attacking skills can contribute to the improvement and performance of the USMNT. If he keeps a humble attitude, improves his defense, and continues to score goals in this manner, the former Mexican U-23 should received consideration.
These soccer videos features highlights and Castillo's soccer goals against Santos Laguna.
2. Jon-Paul Pittman (Wycombe Wanderers, English League One): Entering as a substitute and playing for 30 minutes, the Oklahoma native scored the game winning goal and second of the season to give Wycombe Wanderers the 2-1 victory over Bristol Rovers. This soccer videos courtesyof Yanks Abroad Soccer Highlights.
3. Charlie Davies (Sochaux FC, France): After securing the penalty that gave Sochaux the game-winner against Monaco and redemption for US teammate Freddy Adu who sat idle at Monaco the whole season on loan, the former Hamarby forward offered an inspired performance, starting and playing 85 minutes. In addition, he was voted to the starting Xl by Maxifut. His club and national team future look bright.
4. Jamil Fearrington (FC Roskilde, Danish League 1): Scoring an equalizer from a corner kick in the 80th minute, Jamil Fearrington inspired his team to a 3-2 victory over Braband IF. The former FC Copenhagen defender hopes to propel his team to promotion to the Danish Superliga.
5. Jonathan Spector (West Ham United): After struggling in his 1-2 defeat to Tottenham Hotspurs facing the red-hot and speedy winger, Aaron Lennon, West Ham United defender recovered nicely, starting and playing 90 minutes. Although the Blackburn Rovers attempted to attack his area on various occasions, he appeared poised and stifled their attacks for the majority of the game, earning the Hammers a 0-0 draw.
Honorable Mention: Freddy Adu (Belenenses-Portugal): After many US supporters feared that Freddy Adu would remain at Benefica, relegated to the bench or even worse a reserve role, Benefica and Belenenses agreed to deal that would keep Adu in Lisbon, Portugal. Spending virtually the entire 2008/09 season in the SAN's American's Abroad relegation area, the creative play maker will attempt to impress on the field to earn additional USMNT call ups and earn a Top Five American's Abroad selection. Congratulations Freddy!!!
Relegation Bound: Players who are sitting or experienced a poor performance.
1. Heath Pearce (unattached): Still waiting for European suitors, the European deadline ends today. If he is unable to secure a deal, the left back will be heading back to the MLS.
2. Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach, Germany): His coach did not dress him because he did recognize his failures on the field. Will he learn from his coach? Will the lack of playing time affect him during his national team duties?
3. DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers, Scottish Premier League): With the US winger unable to secure quality playing time and reports that PSG winger, Jerome Rothen, is headed to Ibrox, Beasley appears to be the odd man out. Approaching the deadline, reports have surfaced that several suitors, FC Twente and Olympiakos have expressed interest. If he does not make the move, his USMNT hopes will dwindle even more.
What do you think of the perfomances? Will Castillo be called into the next camp in October? Where would you like Heath Pearce to go? Share your thoughts.
Included are blogs that discuss Soccer Goals and soccer videos: Americans Abroad August 25-31st - Castillo, Pittman, and Fearington score
Soccer Goals: If your Freddy Adu uniforms, such as his DC United, RSL, Benefica, and AS Monaco jerseys, are taking up space in your closet, then, make room for another one: Freddy Adu is heading Portugal's Belenenses on a year loan. With the clock ticking before the international deadline which ends on Tuesday, September 1st, US fans can breathe a deep sigh of relief with Adu's loan move, as many US supporters believed that Adu would stay with Benefica earning little playing time and riding the bench.
Moving to Lisbon rivals, Belenenses, a club and coach that wants to utilze his talents, bodes well for the US international, considering that a portion of US supporters thought that he would remain inactive with Benefica. Instead of having to ship his Benz or BMW to Denmark or Holland (or whatever he drives), Freddy Adu will be staying in Lisbon where he hopes to make a mark for his new team and reemerge on Coach Bradley's short list during the conclusion for World Cup qualifying.
With his club situation finally resolved, the former U-20 standout must focus on earning playing time and proving to critics, that those labels of demonstrating casual training habits and not being able to defend, will be dispelled in the upcoming campaign. He recently offered a statement on twitter saying that "ok for those who dont know i just completed a 1 year loan move to Belenenses. And im excited to join the team tomorrow for training."
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After negotiations broke down between Danish top-table side, Odense, over salary disparity and financial issues, Benefica agreed to facilitate Freddy Adu's loan to Belenenses by paying a portion of his salary to finalize the deal. The move signals the notion that Benefica wants to further his development to either sell him after the season or bring him back to the squad after his loan.
What do you think of his loan move. Are you excited? Do you think he will reemerge with the national team? Will Adu make an impact in the Portuguese league? Share your thoughts.
Soccer Videos: After scoring his first goal for Hull City Fc goal against Southend in the Carling Cup and playing well in all three appearances, Jozy Altidore's move to the English Premier League appears to be paying dividends, netting a goal and an assist in three appearances. What is even more important for the man-child forward is that he is receiving playing time. Soccernet further discusses his performances and American's abroad in Europe.
These soccer videos feature discusssions of Jozy Altidore and Yanks Abroad.
Netting two goals in four appearances, Charlie Davies willed his team to victoy against AS Monaco on Saturday, drawing a penalty which resulted in the game winner. Beside being voted to the starting Xl of Maxifut, a French football website, he offered several promising moves agaisnt the Monaco defense. Included in these soccer videos are his highlights.
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Will Altidore and Davies start against El Salvador? Will both players score more than ten goals this season? Share your thoughts.
Soccer Goals: After suffering a knee injury to Martin Lanig, a Bild report suggests that Stuttgart are interested in the services of Schalke defensive midfielder, Jermaine Jones. Although the soon-to-be US midfielder is still returning from a leg fracture, Stuttgart hopes to entice the Schalke midfielder to their squad.
With Schalke 04 strapped for cash, a strong offer could encourage Schalke 04 to sell Jones, who is under contract until 2014. If you were wondering the status of both Jermaine Jones and Edgar Castillo, two players who have applied to switch allegiance to the USA, here is an interesting article giving an update on their status.
Do you think that Jones should leave Schalke 04? Will we see Jones in the near future? Share your thoughts.
