Americans in Europe: Dempsey and Bradley score

 

A week after playing key roles in the U.S. national team's impressive showing against Brazil, both Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley scored goals for their European club teams.

Dempsey scored Fulham's lone goal in a 1-1 tie with Wigan. Bradley scored the final goal for Heerenveen in a 5-2 thrashing of Excelsior.

DaMarcus Beasley was also on the scoresheet on Saturday, scoring Ranger's second goal in a 4-2 loss to Hearts.

In other Euro-based America news:

Carlos Bocanegra played his 100th match for Fulham in the tie with Wigan.

Kasey Keller was on the bench for Fulham in the same match.

Jonathan Spector failed to make the bench for West Ham United's 3-0 win against Middlesbrough.

Marcus Hahnemann made eight saves but it wasn't enough as Reading lost, 2-1, to Sunderland.

Bobby Convey came on as a sub for Reading, coming on as a 76th-minute substitute.

Brad Friedel made 13 saves in Blackburn's scoreless draw against Chelsea.

Freddy Adu failed to make the bench for Benfica's 2-1 win against Neval de Maio.

Steve Cherundolo started and played 90 minutes in Hannover 96's 2-2 tie with Nuremburg.

Heath Pearce started and played 90 minutes for Hansa Rostock in its 4-2 loss to Arminia Bielefeld

Frank Simek started and played 90 minutes for Sheffield Wednesday in a 1-0 loss to Preston North End.

Comments

[Wes Cox]

Bradley scored in front of less than 3,000 fans.

[andy b.]

Adu fails to make the bench yet again. Yikes...
It's too bad Pearce wound up signing for a team that is so totally unable to compete in the Bundesliga. Here's hoping he can get out and move up quickly, while still earning playing time at a new destination.

[Steveinho]

Must've reminded him of playing in New York.

[Steveinho]

him being bradley... zinger

[mjk]

I'm fairly certain convey got about 10 minutes for reading a couple of weeks ago, i.e., I don't think this was his first appearance of the season

[SteveJW]

Even though Adu didn't make the bench from all the press reports he has been adjusting well in practice.

[Hudson Valley]

Freddy Adu failed to make the bench for Benfica

Why am I not surprised?

[Sanjeev Dev]

Thanks for all the news, Ives. Convey's made 2 or 3 appearances for 10-20 mins like this one though.

[VictorM]

I'm currently vacationing in Portugal and, thank the big soccer lord, it's great to see soccer so dominant in the news. At midweek they had Benfica in the news and covered their training extensively. I could see Adu laughing and clowning around with his teammates. I know he's not making the first team but I remember thinking I hadn't seen Adu so upbeat. I still think he'll get his chance.

By the way, the score against Naval 1o de Maio was 3-0, not 2-1. I watched the second half on TV. Good game.

[Tony M]

The people making fun of Freddy are going to feel very foolish very soon.

[andy b.]

Tony M--
It's not making FUN of Freddy. It's worrying about his situation. Most people who follow American players in their trek across the Atlantic know what an unexpected coaching change can do for a player's fortunes, regardless of the player's abilities/work ethic. People are just hoping this isn't that kind of situation. I hope he makes his mark soon.

[eric]

i hate to say it, but my gut reaction is that Freddy would have pouted if the new coach didn't whisper sweet nothings in his ear about his future. seems like a good sign he is smiling.

but this is why we want our best players to go to Europe, right -- to HAVE to fight for a roster spot again, and get better.

[YankatOxford]

Clint Dempsey should have scored two more times for the Cottagers, but he was easily Fulham's most active offensive player. He was playing up top at #9 for Sanchez until Healy came on late. Wigan played terribly and only a poor foul in the box gave them a chance.

Convey has appeared several times for Reading already, and just missed with a wicked free kick to tie the match. He added a jumpstart to a dull afternoon for the Reading attack.

Beasley's goal was very well taken but in the last 15 minutes Rangers rarely threatened again. Beasley also picked up a card in the 34 min for handbags with Neilson. The Pen called against Gers was pretty weak, and MacGregor should have had Hearts 4th goal, as it went through him. If Gers start Barry Freguson and Darcheville, they win that match. Will be interesting to see if Beasley starts Wed. against Stuttgart. If I had to say right now, I would say yes.

Bradley's side came from two nill down to win.
Don't surprised if it takes a Adu a month or two to crack the line-up. Premature negative reaction from a few folks there.
Friedel had a monster game against Sheva and the blues, that last save at the back post was spectacular, and the save against Essien is probably the best of the season so far.
For this Champions League match I think Rangers will start Darcheville and Boyd uptop with Beasley and Lee McCulloch on the wings in support, because they are playing at Ibrox. Manager Walter Smith looks like a 4-5-1 man when playing away in Europe, so Beasley will likely feature away as well. Keep in mind this was the start of 7 games in like 15 days for Rangers.

[Johnny]

IVES, Love the Yanks abroad update, keep em coming!

[doug]

It looks like the Freddy Adu/Benfica experiment could be over. He's played in 1 CL qualifying game and 1 out of 4 league games for Benfica. He was a sub for 2 of the games, and this past weekend he didnt even make the subs bench. The change in coaches at Benfica could be curtains. It has been said the Camacho, the new Benfica coach does not take kindly to flair and individuality in his team. Sort of like Capello only without the lengthy resume

[Mayor Bloomberg]

Can all you idiots talking about Freddy at Benfica being done cut it out. Camacho has said Freddy will get his chance. In fact he said Freddy's job right now isn't to make the starting XI or the bench but to train to become a great player. Camacho has already said Freddy is a special player that has to get used to the Benfica style of play. If anything Camacho's comments about Freddy a few weeks back was a MAJOR slap at MLS and the US playing style. The press reports from Portugal have even said Adu has improved a lot since he has come there. And this week when he wasn't called up a few of the Benfica fans said they were shocked because he had a great week of training - scored a few goals. It was wrong for him to play in the Champions League match against Copenhagen. If anyone saw that match you would know that. It wasn't that he didn't have the talent but rather he didn't know when and where to pass and run. So stop with the obituaries. Look at what Benfica are doing with Freddy and hopefully we will mirror it and adapt it to our players.

[Steve W]

Why is everyone getting so anxious that he isn't playing? He's not even 20 years old...Benfica has guys ten years his senior who are on the reserve team.

Relax.

[Tommy H]

Mayor, What did Camacho say, I didn't see it. Was it insulting? Re: MLS & USMNL.

[Joe in ND]

Does anyone think that if Dempsey keeps up these performances he might be moving to a bigger team or a different league?

[emanon]

Camacho article.

http://www.correiomanha.pt/noticia.asp?id=256115&idselect=217&idCanal=217&p=22

The babelfish translation indicates that he said "It is small a capable one to make very interesting things with the ball, but, first, it goes to have to adapt it the European soccer, that is very different of the American."

[Brian Quarstad]

Dempsey played well again, getting himself into useful positions. But so did Kamara who was a bit unlucky not to get something out of the match. Fulham is improving every aspect of their game and is a hell of a lot more entertaining to watch than last years team. I really believe in Lawrie Sanchez and what he's doing. Fulham now need to learn how to keep concentration for 90 min. and believe they can win.

If anyone wants to stop over and say hi please do. I'm the American half of "Craven Cottage Newsround", a Fulham blog that has a big American readership. We'll keep you up to-date with what's going on at Craven Cottage and our four Americans.

I always check in with Ives per my buddy Bruce at DuNord. As always, great perspective and terrific inside stuff from you Ives. Keep up the great work man! You are one of main sources for soccer info here in the States.

By the way, great news on Bradley.

[Andrew]

i agree that we should all give freddy a break. and i think that we should all be extremely excited for dempsey. He's wreaking havoc over there. All you NYRB fans should be salivating over a Deuce-Jozy forward paring with the national team someday soon.

[inkedAG]

I agree with you Andrew. :)

[Sandro]

Leave Adu Alone!!!!!
heheheehe...no seriously hope the best for Adu. Not sure why anyone would put down an American player. We need to support Adu and other players because through them our National team can only improve. Plus it is great that they are demystifying the myth that US only has good goalkeepers.

[Rick]

what's going on with feilhaber?