Due to the FA Cup weekend and a handful of injuries to the Yanks playing overseas and South of the border, there weren’t as many chances to watch Americans do their thing this weekend.
The goals per appearance rate was pretty high, however, as four Americans danced on scoresheets in the Netherlands, Belgium, England and Austria.
Aron Johannsson continued to give Eredivisie defenses nightmares of the darkest variety, as he scored his 22nd goal across all competitions for AZ Alkmaar in a 1-1 draw against FC Utrecht. On-loan Juan Agudelo played 74 minutes for Utrecht and was unable to manager a shot on frame. Arguments against a healthy Johannsson heading to Brazil seem futile.
Sacha Kljestan was the second American to score overseas this weekend, as his headed goal lead Anderlecht past Mons at home by a 2-0 score. He later added an assist to complete his involvement on all Purple & White goals. Check both out here:
There were two other goal scorers for America this weekend, as Danny Williams opened the scoring for Reading with a free header in their 3-1 win over QPR and Terrence Boyd scored on his return for Austria’s Rapid Wien. Boyd ripped a left-footer off in traffic just inside the 18 for his 13th of the year, but it turned out to be a consolation tally in a 2-1 loss.
Jozy Altidore got the day off in Sunderland’s 1-0 win in the fifth round of the FA Cup, and wasn’t even stressed with an appearance on the bench. Tim Howard was on the bench for Everton’s 3-1 win over Swansea and was not needed.
Fabian Johnson played all 90 minutes at right back for Hoffenheim, as he returned from injury to help his club to a 4-1 win over Stuttgart. The usual left back opened the eyes of many of our readers who followed Richard Farley’s lead in wondering, “Could Johnson be the US left back for the World Cup?”
JPW laid out Freddy Adu’s trial at Blackpool and his hopes of re-entering Jurgen Klinsmann’s USMNT plans. Jermaine Jones is a little bit closer to making his on-loan debut for Besiktas, as he continues to heal from a groin injury.
In France, Ale Bedoya played 90 minutes for Nantes in a scoreless draw at Nice.
MLSSoccer.com provided a solid recap of the Yanks playing in Liga MX this weekend, including DaMarcus Beasley playing further up the field and some kind words for Michael Orozco Fiscal.
