Americans Abroad: Boxing Day Rewind

American soccer players had a busy Boxing Day in England on Wednesday, with 10 of them playing at least a half and nine earning starts (That's including Watford's Jay DeMerit and Millwall's Zak Whitbread.)

There were mixed results, from Tim Howard posting yet another shutout for Everton to Carlos Bocanegra watching his Fulham defense be torn to shreds yet again. There were even two goal-scorers on the day, with usual suspect Clint Dempsey being joined by DeMerit.

Before I get to the rundown, I wanted to talk about Benny Feilhaber's performance for Derby County against Liverpool. It had its ups and downs, but his effort, or lack thereof, late in the match could hurt his chances for more playing time in the future.

Feilhaber's 45 minutes of playing time were action packed. He had some good tackles, sharp passes and was very active, but he also showed timidness getting forward on occasion and his biggest crime was his effort on the play that led to Liverpool's game-winning goal.

If you missed the match, or the replays, the play begins with Steven Gerrard making a run down the left flank starting from the opposite end (it actually begins with the referee missing a Liverpool foul, but I digress). Gerrard carries the ball forward and Feilhaber comes in from the center of the field to challenge Gerrard. Feilhaber's effort to close down Gerrard was, shall we say, less than total and he almost appears to be jogging toward Gerrard, who sees this and proceeds to hit another gear, leaving Feilhaber out of position and forcing Feilhaber to attempt a sliding tackle that misses badly. Gerrard gets into the area and eventually scores the game-winning goal after some ricochets.

Now, blaming Feilhaber for the goal would be wrong. As a coach once told me, most goals are the fault of many, not of one. While this is true, Feilhaber's effort on that particular play wasn't ideal, or what you would expect from a player who has been starving for minutes lately.

Does that mean he won't see more chances? That would seem harsh considering the good things he did, and the injury woes plaguing Derby, but Paul Jewell's comments after the match make me wonder if he was thinking about Feilhaber when he made them.

Ultimately, it's just one play, but good players make those plays. Here's hoping Feilhaber learns from it and gets more chances to show that he deserves more playing time.

Okay, enough about that. Here is the rundown of how Americans did on Boxing Day:

Tim Howard started, played 90 minutes and made one save in Everton's 2-0 win against Bolton.

Clint Dempsey started, played 90 minutes and scored a goal in Fulham's 5-1 loss to Tottenham.

Carlos Bocanegra started and played 90 minutes for Fulham.

Eddie Lewis started, played 90 minutes and his free kick helped set up Derby County's lone goal in a 2-1 loss to Liverpool.

Benny Feilhaber came off the bench and played 45 minutes for Derby County.

Jonathan Spector started and played 90 minutes in West Ham United's 1-1 tie vs. Reading.

Marcus Hahnemann started, played 90 minutes and made eight saves for Reading.

Bobby Convey started and played 66 minutes for Reading.

Jay DeMerit started, played 90 minutes and scored a goal in Watford's 2-2 tie against Cardiff.

Zak Whitbread started, played 90 minutes and drew a yellow card in Millwall's 3-0 win against Brighton.

European-based Americans will be busy today as well, with Blackburn's Brad Friedel and Heerenveen's Michael 'Goal Machine' Bradley both seeing action.

Share your thoughts on Feilhaber and the other Americans below.

Comments

[Craig]

Yay for Benny!

[BK (the artist formerly known as Brad)]

Thanks for the update on Feilhaber, Ives. I'm stuck at work all week and have been missing these games. When I asked on the Running Commentary yesterday, it seemed to have mixed reviews, so I appreciate your input.

[Johnny]

Benny's effort on that tackle looked poor at best. That being said I think he'll get another shot. For a guy who has only made 4 appearances this year he played alright. Given time his form can only improve.

[Johnny]

Ives have you heard about the new rumor of an Oguchi Onyewu transfer to Fulham.

These are Ray Lewington's comments after the Boxing Day debacle

“We always look small at set pieces. You go to match up before a game and there are always two or three [players from the other side] left over that are 6’3” and we don’t have anyone to match that. We’re nice on the ball and we can play some nice football but that doesn’t win matches and sometimes you have to come away from home and stop the opposition playing and that get what you can after that.”

Could these be a call for Onyewu who was spotted in London recently?

[Kosh71]

After the Ref missed that Liverpool foul I think Benny should have fouled Gerrard...get the yellow, yes, get some love from your teammates and your manager, even better. Plus, Liverpool would not have gained much if Benny had fouled Stevie G. be cause it was a few yards out. Instead he got lazy and ended up getting roasted.

[Steve]

'(it actually begins with the referee missing a Liverpool foul, but I digress).'

I'm sure Liverpool will fall further in your pathetic ranks because of a win on the road, but you'll provide plenty of excuses for Chelsea allowing four goals at Stamford Bridge to any side, yet Villa. Your a Liverpool hater.

Excuses, excuses, excuses.

Of course if you really cared about the sport, you'd be pushing for an extra official, video replay, and open mics on the refs, instead of analyzing Feilhaber, who is merely a shadow of Gerrard, figuratively and yesterday, literally. Grow up.

[Steve W]

Bobby Convey is looking **very good** for Reading. His passing has been brilliant (check out his pass to James Harper in the win over Liverpool). And his return to form (after a year) has coincided with Reading's recent good run. Reading's offense is clearly better and more dangerous when Bobby is on the pitch.

[Johnny]

Steve are you a brainwashed Liverpool Nerd?
You'll never walk alone...becuase there are plently of losers out there that are just like you. Is Ives allowed to give his opinion on things anymore? Isn't this his blog? Keep up the good work Ives!

[Andrew]

yeesh, Steve with the Ives bashing.

Steve, anyone who doesn't have love for C-Ron is crazy. Not only does he have the moves and score the goals but comon the sexual prowess of his euromullet cannot be denied.

On a serious note Steve, i think you're reading the wrong blog. This is a blog centered on American soccer. It concentrates on MLS, the US nats, and Americans playing abroad mainly. You can be moody and rude all you want but this is an American soccer blog where we talk about American soccer players. And I think you're the only one out there reading this who doesn't appreciate Ives attention to and analysis of Benny Feilhaeber. Go to Soccernet or whatever if you wanna geek out on video replays *bigek* and goalline technology. I didn't realize that to be a true fan who "really cares about the sport" you have to want to change it....

oh and PS, i'm a Liverpool fan too but Ives is not pool hater, he just speaks the truth. They're stinking it up homey. Stop kidding yourself. As far as chelsea, excuses? Ives is making excuses for chelsea? A keeper with a hip injury plus two defenders see red cards and he's making up excuses? Seems like a legit excuse to me.

Comon bro, don't come onto our blog and throw shite around like a primate unless you know what's in it.

[soulshadow]

Considering Jewell said thye look scared in the first half (in which Benny did not play) and showed fight in the second half, I don't think he was talking about him. That said, as decent as he did, I don't think he did anything to get himself into a starting spot anytime soon.

Mike

[kpugs]

I agree that most goals are the fault of many (although Petr Cech "argued" the opposite yesterday).

But if they weren't the fault of many, you could argue that Bocanegra gave one up pretty damned easily ysterday as well.

Dempsey scored...where are the box score watchers saying how awesome he is because there is a "1" in the goals scored column for December 26?

He was the hardest working cottager on the pitch yesterday, hands down. It was impressive and you have to hope his teammates recognize it. Only problem is that he is on the ground after every single time he is challenged, like he has been his whole career. He needs to ammend that; but aside from that it was another solid performance.

[groove]

not a good day for spector according to the times:

When Nicky Shorey returned the ball into the penalty area, Kitson escaped Jonathan Spector to hook the ball past Green for his sixth goal of the season. “A shocking piece of defending,” Curbishley said.

[BK (the artist formerly known as Brad)]

Aside from Dempsey and Convey's play, it sounds as if the rest of the Americans in the EPL had a pretty shite Boxing Day.

Maybe they should be boxed up and sent back to the MLS.

[VictorM]

I saw the game and liked Benny's performance. So he was burned by Gerrard on that one play but lord, Gerrard does those types of plays all the time against other EPL and even Champion's League players. Gerard has an extra burst of speed that most players get burned by very often. Benny's approach to the play can easily be attributed to him not being on the field enough against some of the very best players in the world. I can't see how that play will hurt his chances in the future; in fact, it might be the opposite. Jewell may just give him more minutes. Also, given that other Derby players were complaining about the non-call instead of chasing Gerrard, Benny might be given credit for at least trying to make the play. Again I say, getting burned by Gerrard in a play like that is common. Give Gerrard the credit.

[J]

Being the Jay Demerit fan that I am, I wanted to mention that he was recently named Watford's full-time captain, just another achievement for him. I was amazed by his story when I first read it, and it only keeps growing, really. I have to wonder where he'll fit in with the USMNT, especially during 2010 qualifying, when he'll most likely be playing in the Premier League, while Bocanegra may be relegated (or just benched). It would be hard to leave the captain of an EPL team on the bench, but Bradley, to me, had some blinders when it comes to Onyewu and Bocanegra. I just hope Demerit gets a fair chance, because every time he's gotten one throughout his career, he's made the absolute most of it.

[BK (the artist formerly known as Brad)]

I completely agree with J that Bocanegra and Onyewu should not be written in the starting lineup with a Sharpie. DeMerit should get a very long look.

[Zungazan]

I thought Feilhaber played well. He was the only player defending the middle of the park. Left, side, center, right side. Where were the other midfielders? He was running all over the place. Sure he missed that tackle but where was everyone else? Were we watching the same game?

[Sean from Stamford]

Great summary! Thanks.

[Steve W]

Hahnemann also for Reading had a good match. Reading have surrendered many goals this season (7 against Pompey!), but mostly due to wretched back play, not Marcus. He was brilliant against ManU on opening day.

[jason]

- Ives misrepresents the Jewell comments and is too hard on Benny F. He needs to make the tackle (he needs to have SG taken off on the field for that matter), yes, but he is not match fit and this is SG. Also, the keeper simply needs to hold that ball and the clearance needs to be UP and out.

-Agree with J & BK, no sharpies anywhere near B'Negra or Onyewu. DeMerit's tenacity and leadership is exactly what we need - a far cry from Gooch's perma-rabbit-in-the-headlights look. If Gibbs can return and regain form and match fitness then I think he is a lock. We also need to consider Edu and Spector back there.

-Convey is in great form

[groove]

i agree about edu. hopefully he will escape from minor league soccer soon.

[Kosh71]

Steve you keep the faith brother!

As a Man U fan I cannot state how much pleasure I get from hearing deluded Liverpool fans that are in a constant state of denial. Sweet!!

County are clearly the whipping boys of the league this year, and for Pool to go over there with that roster and steal 2 extra points off of a lousy piece of officiating (there was clearly a bad miss call before Gerrard made his run) and some unfortunate defending (Benny next time take the card, man, and you guys need to learn how to clear out a rebound) and beat your chest at Ives just makes me laugh. I guess it's also your fault, Ives, that Reading put the spanking on them and my Man U continues to own them. Sweet!!

[RFR]

When Benny made his half-hearted tackle attempt on Gerrard, you could smell the go-ahead goal coming. His apparent lack of effort in the final seconds can not help him get back in the lineup. It's a shame.

[Ives]

A few things. First, if Jewell was referring to his team's play in the first half then that was my mistake. I read it to mean the team's performance overall.

Secondly, am I really a Liverpool hater? I think I've been generous with my ranking of Liverpool all season considering they haven't exactly racked up a bunch of impressive wins against tough opponents. I actually like watching Liverpool play, though the performance against Derby was forgettable.

There are actually a bunch of Liverpool fans who read SBI. Any of you besides Steve think I'm a Liverpool hater?

[Scott A]

I'm not a Liverpool fan but no Ives you're not a Liverpool hater. You're dead on with your rankings...you're just taking actual results into account. Just because 'pool is a Big Four team doesn't place them above other teams; it's not a ranking of reputations. I'd like Steve to tell us which teams above them in the rankings he thinks are playing more poorly than Liverpool.