Americans in European Soccer: Weekend Rewind

Good afternoon everybody (good morning to the West Coast). As great as the European soccer action was this past weekend, it was also a great weekend for American players.

Why? No, there weren't goals in bunches (though Clint Dempsey scored another clutch goal for Fulham). It was great for American players because most of them started and played good minutes. The number of "did not dress" and "did not play" announcements was the fewest I think it's been all season.

Eddie Lewis and Jonathan Spector both earned starts and Benny Feilhaber made his way onto the field as every healthy American in the English Premier League saw playing time, with Feilhaber being the only one not to start (that's not including young reserve players like Johann Smith and Eric Lichaj of course).

Before we get to how the Americans Abroad did this weekend, I need to make one more reminder for those of you who have yet to take part in the Soccer By Ives Reader Roll Call to please do so. Your input is going to go a long way toward helping me shape and set a direction for SBI as we head into 2008.

Now, back to the action. Here is how the Americans in Europe did this past weekend:

Clint Dempsey started, played 90 minutes and scored the game-tying goal in Fulham's 1-1 tie vs. Wigan on Saturday.

Carlos Bocanegra started and played 90 minutes for Fulham.

Tim Howard started, played 90 minutes and made five saves in Everton's 2-1 loss to Manchester United on Sunday.

Brad Friedel started, played 90 minutes and made five saves in Blackburn's 1-0 loss to Chelsea on Sunday.

Eddie Lewis started and played 77 minutes in Derby County's 2-2 tie with Newcastle on Sunday.

Benny Feilhaber played nine minutes for Derby County.

Jonathan Spector started, played 90 minutes and drew a yellow card in West Ham's 2-1 win against Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Marcus Hahnemann started, played 90 minutes and made four saves in Reading's 2-1 win against Sunderland on Saturday.

Bobby Convey started and played 84 minutes for Reading.

Michael Bradley started and played 90 minutes in Heerenveen's 2-1 loss to Twente Enschede.

Giuseppe Rossi played 35 minutes in Villarreal's 1-1 tie vs. Recreativo Huelva on Sunday.

Danny Szetela did not dress in Racing de Santander's 4-1 loss to Valencia on Saturday.

Freddy Adu played seven minutes and drew a yellow card in Benfica's 3-0 win against Estrela Amadora on Thursday.   

Jay DeMerit started and played 90 minutes in Watford's 1-0 win against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

Oguchi Onyewu started, played 90 minutes and drew a yellow card in Standard Liege's 3-1 win against Genk on Sunday.   

If you are wondering about the shorter than usual list, there are leagues currently in their winter breaks.

Feel free to add any that I may have missed and, as always, share your thoughts on these performances below.

Comments

[Dominghosa]

Wait for it........
here come the Rossi comments.
Anyway, good to see so many AA's getting some PT.

[TheDrizzle]

Crazy? This is FULHAM!!!

[Ben S]

How did Adu draw a yellow card in 7 min. Was he sent out with a mission or was it just simply a youthful stupid mistake?

[EssEff]

Adu got a yellow for simulation. Tapped on the shoulder in the box and fell like a ton of bricks.

[Ben S]

i'm glad then he got the yellow. Nothing bugs me more than diving...maybe now he'll be more concerned about playing than trying to win the free kick.

[Dannyc58]

Spector was brilliant, might I add...

http://www.whufc.com/page/News/0,,12562~1142878,00.html

[Matt D.]

Don't tease me, Ives. Post the Fire coaching update. I need this, man, I'm starting to get the shakes

[Matt D.]

Let me toke on that hope you're rollin'

[Ives]

Matt, I said I May post an update. It is not to report that some big-named foreign coach is being lined up, if that helps alleviate some of the stress.

[Matt D.]

I'm not sure that alleviates the stress, but it is something. Thanks for trying, Ives. I'm afraid there's only so much anyone can do for us sufferin' Chicagoans in the Winter Time

[Matt D.]

Let me toke on that hope you're rollin'

[kpugs]

Dempsey is still a starter and still playing well, where are all the geniuses that said his Fulham career was over? Who am I kidding, there's no way they bothered watching the game.

[Johnny]

DEMPSEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dave]

oh man nothing is better than watching Dempsey score. His passion for the game is so evident (see photo above), just makes me reaffirm my love for the beautiful game. Also nice to see Spector going the full 90, didn't watch the match, but does anyone know if he played DM again or in defense?

Good to see Rossi back hope he does well, I was pissed when United sold him he's a much better 3rd striker than the injury-prone Saha, hope they execute that buy back clause.

[Ives]

Sorry Matt D., no Chicago coaching search update today. Going to have to wait for Wednesday.

[Swan]

Spector played well as a center back! On the West Ham Official Site his is interviewed and it's posted above in a previous response where he says that center back is his favorite position. West Ham is the team that I support and he has been slowly working his way towards more first team action due to an injury crisis. Looked good as a center-back...he makes transitions to different positions amazingly well. He did give up the free kick that gave up the goal when he earned his yellow card. His performance was very solid and he should start again at center-back on wednesday. Just a side-note how smooth was Dempsey's finish for Fulham, but I think they may be on there way down....i hope not though cuz Dempsey's my favorite non-hammer.

[brentmcd]

really enjoy these weekly postings about our fellow countrymen playing overseas. (i'm from texas and have a hard time calling our boys yanks). anyway, thanks ives!

[sean]

id like to see bradly move to a solid premier club in a few years. the dutch league is an excelent developmental league so i dont think he should leave until hes truely competitive for a starting spot on a big team. the US youth is promising. looking forward to the next WC. we will be a dangerous dark horse

[Dannyc58]

Swan, nice to see another West Ham supporter on the blog! Got to improve our home form...

[Swan]

Dannyc-For sure man thought I might be the only one. First time i have posted, but I have stalked the blog for a while. Be nice to get 3 points on wednesday at home haven't been able to do it in a while only 2 wins in 9 i think. Would like to do the double over Reading just like this weekend against Boro'.

[Dannyc58]

Swan, there are a few of us. Maybe like 5 now! haha.

And wells said, regarding Wednesday...

UP THE IRONS!!!

[hoya]

Dave:

He played centerback and his play was described by his manager as, "absolutely outstanding." Now isnt that great to hear.

[Peter]

Reading will not be doubled. 6-0.

[Paul Lorinczi]

I have watched several Fulham games now and have concluded, THEY SUCK!

They have Dempsey playing in the wrong position and are trying to turn him into Brian McBride. When the moved guys around and put Dempsey on the right so he can face players up, he was effective.

He needs to get out of there. What a terrible team.

[DJC]

Rossi is not an "American in European Soccer" and should not be listed in this roundup. HE IS ITALIAN.