Yanks Abroad 2014-15
- Thread starter Titans Bastard
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soxfan121 said:
He actually managed to get into a spat with the home fans while at Barnsley.
And they say he doesn't have any talent.
Seeing what has happened with him since he went to England, do you think Klinsmann picked him this last friendly to show others players that they shouldn't be scared of going to Europe and dropping off his radar if things don't go great right away?Titans Bastard said:
wonderland said:
Things have been going poorly for Brek for over a year and a half now, so for him it's well past the "right away" stage...
I think Klinsmann brought Shea into camp simply because the player pool for the Czech friendly was drawn from Europe and Mexico and we didn't have any alternatives on the wing. We just don't have many attacking options abroad right now, particularly with Johannsson and Boyd on the shelf and with Agudelo twiddling his thumbs on the couch like an asshole. None of those guys are wingers anyway.
Shea's career so far is really built almost entirely on the first half of the 2011 season with Dallas, when he was dominant. Then he got scouted. He's never been particularly successful outside of May-July 2011, which at this point was a pretty long time ago. He wasn't nearly as good for Dallas in 2012, when he also struggled with injuries. He moved to Stoke in January 2013.
He's turning into the next Bobby Convey in terms of hubbub-to-actual good seasons ratio. (Convey had two good seasons his entire career -- one at Reading and one at San Jose.)
* Julian Green made his first start for Hamburg and was subbed off at the half.
* Brek Shea also went straight into the lineup for his on-loan club, and assisted in Birmingham City's goal.
* Emerson Hyndman started for Fulham and was subbed off at the half.
* Rubio Rubin started again for Utrecht
* Joe Gyau made the bench for Borussia Dortmund for the first team, although he didn't play
Some good things happening for young players in Europe. On the downside, last year's Freiburg U23 captain, DM Caleb Stanko, went down with a torn ACL and will probably miss the whole season. It's a shame - he just got a first team contract and was poised to make a debut.
* Brek Shea also went straight into the lineup for his on-loan club, and assisted in Birmingham City's goal.
* Emerson Hyndman started for Fulham and was subbed off at the half.
* Rubio Rubin started again for Utrecht
* Joe Gyau made the bench for Borussia Dortmund for the first team, although he didn't play
Some good things happening for young players in Europe. On the downside, last year's Freiburg U23 captain, DM Caleb Stanko, went down with a torn ACL and will probably miss the whole season. It's a shame - he just got a first team contract and was poised to make a debut.
Jozy(!) scored against Stoke in the League Cup today. First club goal since December. Damn, he needed that.
Joe Gyau debuted for Dortmund today. Impressive for a guy who was discarded by Hoffenheim several months ago. I definitely expected him to be strictly an organizational soldier for their reserve team. I think he's been helped out by a few injuries and I don't think his chances of sticking with the first team are particularly strong, but still.
Also, this is awesome:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij8n5qF6nLo
Also, this is awesome:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij8n5qF6nLo
This is one way so many players wind up in Mexico. Alianza is an organization that brings (mostly) Hispanic teenagers together for a showcase. It's a shame that MLS doesn't have a stronger partnership with them.
I'm a big fan of Juan Agudelo's talent. He and Stoke terminated his contract after his second work permit appeal was denied. Since then, strangely, he's continued to be unemployed. Unfortunately, it's been confirmed that he's a total moron who is ruining his own career:
How about finding a one-year deal while you pursue your cockamamie scheme to get to the Premier League, Juan? I'm sure if Cypriot citizenship comes through - at great expense - Premier League teams will be falling over themselves to sign a 23 year old forward who has been out of contract for an entire season.
How about finding a one-year deal while you pursue your cockamamie scheme to get to the Premier League, Juan? I'm sure if Cypriot citizenship comes through - at great expense - Premier League teams will be falling over themselves to sign a 23 year old forward who has been out of contract for an entire season.
Titans Bastard said:
But come on, Agudelo made $175k his last year with the Revs, and this year they paid $330k for Geoffrey Castillion. Even given they (shockingly) broke the bank for Jermaine Jones, they clearly wanted and were able/willing to pay for both. (Maybe this speaks volumes about the Revs........)
Unbelievable.
Billy R Ford said:
My understanding is that Agudelo only wants to go to England and is single-mindedly pursuing that option. That's a fine goal, but how about you kill it in the Eredivisie first, Juan?
More Agudelo
He turned down an offer from Werder and now he's on trial in the Championship, where he won't be able to sign because he doesn't qualify for a work permit?
What an idiot.
He turned down an offer from Werder and now he's on trial in the Championship, where he won't be able to sign because he doesn't qualify for a work permit?
What an idiot.
The Play in Europe vs. Play in MLS debate continues...
He's since deleted it. Obviously this doesn't necessarily mean LA has been pursuing Altidore, but it sure looks that way. Assuming they'd use the DP slot Donovan is vacating, this could mean (1) a substantial raise for Altidore, (2) the chance to live in Southern California as opposed to Northeast England, and (3) actual playing time week in, week out. I think he'd probably light it up in MLS too.
That being said, staying in Europe is probably what is keeping him in Klinsmann's good graces right now, and he's still performing for the national team. Jozy is 25, he has time yet to make it happen in the Premier League.
He's since deleted it. Obviously this doesn't necessarily mean LA has been pursuing Altidore, but it sure looks that way. Assuming they'd use the DP slot Donovan is vacating, this could mean (1) a substantial raise for Altidore, (2) the chance to live in Southern California as opposed to Northeast England, and (3) actual playing time week in, week out. I think he'd probably light it up in MLS too.
That being said, staying in Europe is probably what is keeping him in Klinsmann's good graces right now, and he's still performing for the national team. Jozy is 25, he has time yet to make it happen in the Premier League.
- IFK Göteborg is considering Bob Bradley for their managerial vacancy. Göteborg would be a clear step up from Stabæk in terms of club size and resources. The club finished 2nd in 2014 and will partake in the 2015-16 Europa League qualifying rounds. It looks like they fired their previous coach despite finishing 2nd.
- Shane O'Neill is training / on trial at Sheffield Wednesday. Some vague early reports indicate that he's done well so far, but who knows. He has an Irish passport so a WP would not be an issue, but then it's a question of whether Wednesday want him and whether they can work out a fee with the Rapids. I like O'Neill - if we qualify for the Olympics I see him and Brooks as the clear CB partnership.
- Joe Gyau has recovered from his injury and played for Borussia Dortmund's reserve team yesterday.
- Sebastian Lletget, who at this point must be the Premier League U21 League Greatest Of All Time after spending about 17 years playing in it, made the bench for West Ham today. I can't believe he only just turned 22, it feels like he's been around forever.
- Mix Diskerud is out of contract. I'm sure someone in MLS will take a run at him - Portland and Columbus have tried in the past - but I'm not sure where he'll end up. I think he should leave Norway if given the chance, at least.
- Shane O'Neill is training / on trial at Sheffield Wednesday. Some vague early reports indicate that he's done well so far, but who knows. He has an Irish passport so a WP would not be an issue, but then it's a question of whether Wednesday want him and whether they can work out a fee with the Rapids. I like O'Neill - if we qualify for the Olympics I see him and Brooks as the clear CB partnership.
- Joe Gyau has recovered from his injury and played for Borussia Dortmund's reserve team yesterday.
- Sebastian Lletget, who at this point must be the Premier League U21 League Greatest Of All Time after spending about 17 years playing in it, made the bench for West Ham today. I can't believe he only just turned 22, it feels like he's been around forever.
- Mix Diskerud is out of contract. I'm sure someone in MLS will take a run at him - Portland and Columbus have tried in the past - but I'm not sure where he'll end up. I think he should leave Norway if given the chance, at least.
Boyd scored a brace today. First two goals in the league after scoring in the cup in one of his first appearances back.
- Bob Bradley declined an offer from IFK Göteborg, apparently because they wouldn't let him pick his assistant.
- Will Packwood is going on loan from Birmingham City to Colchester United. Despite getting a decent run at CB last season, he's very rarely played this year so a loan to League One seems appropriate.
- The loan to Hamburg isn't going well for Julian Green. He's not making the 18 any more.
- Will Packwood is going on loan from Birmingham City to Colchester United. Despite getting a decent run at CB last season, he's very rarely played this year so a loan to League One seems appropriate.
- The loan to Hamburg isn't going well for Julian Green. He's not making the 18 any more.
- The final count on Terrence Boyd is a torn ACL, LCL, and meniscus. He'll be out for a while.
- US U20 goalkeeper Zack Steffen is leaving Maryland after two seasons to sign with Freiburg. He was eligible to sign with Philadelphia as a homegrown player, but they have been so dysfunctional in their handling of goalkeepers that I wouldn't advise him to touch them with a 10 foot pole. With their focus on bringing youth players into the first team, Freiburg is a good a landing spot as any. Steffen is supposed to be the best GK prospect we've had in a while, but predicting the trajectory of youth GKs is especially difficult.
- The US U18 team has turned up another dual national - Everton's Antonee Robinson. He's a left back.
- Bobby Wood has fallen out with 1860's manager and is expected to leave the club during the winter transfer window
- US U20 goalkeeper Zack Steffen is leaving Maryland after two seasons to sign with Freiburg. He was eligible to sign with Philadelphia as a homegrown player, but they have been so dysfunctional in their handling of goalkeepers that I wouldn't advise him to touch them with a 10 foot pole. With their focus on bringing youth players into the first team, Freiburg is a good a landing spot as any. Steffen is supposed to be the best GK prospect we've had in a while, but predicting the trajectory of youth GKs is especially difficult.
- The US U18 team has turned up another dual national - Everton's Antonee Robinson. He's a left back.
- Bobby Wood has fallen out with 1860's manager and is expected to leave the club during the winter transfer window
- Rubio Rubin scored against Ajax today:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JG0oqZ2mif4
It's his second of the season (and second in the last three games). He's been playing well outside of scoring, but it's good to see him start finding the back of the net as well.
- John Brooks apparently had another good game as Hertha shut out Dortmund. He's had a very strong month.
- Ventura Alvarado, a 22 y.o. defender from Phoenix, has been starting for Club América in the Liga MX playoffs after the club suspended Paul Aguilar. He's been starting at right back, but can also play CB. América is a big club and this could be Alvarado's break.
- Emerson Hyndman was back in Fulham's lineup for a 1-0 road win at Leeds. He's made eight starts this season.
- Nice assist for Bedoya against PSG:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2cheox_jordan-veretout-goal-1-0-nantes-vs-bordeaux_sport
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JG0oqZ2mif4
It's his second of the season (and second in the last three games). He's been playing well outside of scoring, but it's good to see him start finding the back of the net as well.
- John Brooks apparently had another good game as Hertha shut out Dortmund. He's had a very strong month.
- Ventura Alvarado, a 22 y.o. defender from Phoenix, has been starting for Club América in the Liga MX playoffs after the club suspended Paul Aguilar. He's been starting at right back, but can also play CB. América is a big club and this could be Alvarado's break.
- Emerson Hyndman was back in Fulham's lineup for a 1-0 road win at Leeds. He's made eight starts this season.
- Nice assist for Bedoya against PSG:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2cheox_jordan-veretout-goal-1-0-nantes-vs-bordeaux_sport
https://twitter.com/JimmyConrad/status/544545206688026624
More impressive a club than expected, although I have no idea what his prospects for playing time are. This is Exhibit A of why having EU passport is such a benefit for US players. No way does Verona take a flyer on Soares if they have to burn a foreigner spot on him.
More impressive a club than expected, although I have no idea what his prospects for playing time are. This is Exhibit A of why having EU passport is such a benefit for US players. No way does Verona take a flyer on Soares if they have to burn a foreigner spot on him.
Sorry to see him go but that's a great move for the guy, are there even any other Americans in Serie A since Bradley left? If he can get playing time, I would not be surprised to see Klinsmann call him up just to reinforce the message that he wants guys to make the jump to the top leagues.
EDIT: looking at Hellas Veronas matches, and one of their starting centerbacks is old "friend" Rafael Marquez of Mexico. He's 35, I hadn't even realized he'd gone back to Europe. And coincidentally, they also have a 31-year-old Brazilian centerback named Rafael Marques.
EDIT: looking at Hellas Veronas matches, and one of their starting centerbacks is old "friend" Rafael Marquez of Mexico. He's 35, I hadn't even realized he'd gone back to Europe. And coincidentally, they also have a 31-year-old Brazilian centerback named Rafael Marques.
Billy R Ford said:
Just this guy:
Hugo Perez's son Josh is also at Fiorentina in the academy, but he's very young and far away from the first team.
https://twitter.com/raulguzman/status/545649454129225728
Mix to Tijuana? Didn't see this coming.
Mix to Tijuana? Didn't see this coming.
His national team choice remains uncertain, but here's a youtube of Gedion Zelalem's touches against Galatasary in the Champions League game last week. There's nothing particularly special in the video and the game context was a snooze - he came on at halftime of a 3-0 match that didn't really matter - but overall its a pretty composed performance for a 17-year-old playing in the Champions League for the first time. I'm not really convinced that Zelalem will become starting-level player for Arsenal: He doesn't have any particular attribute that is truly exceptional, as far as I can see. But if he declares for the US I think he could be a very useful player, even by the next World Cup, because a composed passer in defensive/central midfield that can help settle the team, maintain possession, and spray the ball around is an element that we have really lacked at times, especially if Bradley is playing higher up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Npj4m38Uqo&spfreload=10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Npj4m38Uqo&spfreload=10
- Herculez Gomez has returned to Puebla. That's where his career revitalization began, when he scored 10 goals in 758 minutes in the 2010 Clausura. The dude gets around. Tigres was his sixth Liga MX club in 5.5 years and Puebla would be his seventh if he hadn't had an earlier stop there.
- Oguchi Onyewu - yes, he's still alive - has extended his contract with Charlton Athletic to the end of the season. His contract had been due to expire in a few days. Gooch has made two appearances off the bench this season.
- Cameron Carter-Vickers will sign a two-year contract with Spurs when he turned 17 in two days. It's always a good sign to see youth players offered new contracts.
- Diskerud's potential deal with Tijuana isn't done and he's playing coy again. So who knows where he'll really end up.
- Anderlecht are publicly saying that they'll sell Kljestan if they get a fair offer. For the time being, he's playing occasionally as a backup, but they have a host of talented youngsters, and Steven Defour, who have made him unnecessary.
- Oguchi Onyewu - yes, he's still alive - has extended his contract with Charlton Athletic to the end of the season. His contract had been due to expire in a few days. Gooch has made two appearances off the bench this season.
- Cameron Carter-Vickers will sign a two-year contract with Spurs when he turned 17 in two days. It's always a good sign to see youth players offered new contracts.
- Diskerud's potential deal with Tijuana isn't done and he's playing coy again. So who knows where he'll really end up.
- Anderlecht are publicly saying that they'll sell Kljestan if they get a fair offer. For the time being, he's playing occasionally as a backup, but they have a host of talented youngsters, and Steven Defour, who have made him unnecessary.
- RSL defensive midfielder Cole Grossman has signed with Bob Bradley's Stabæk.
- GK Matt Pyzdrowski, who spent the last four years at second division Ängelholm, has made a big move to Helsingborg.
- Paul Torres has moved to Sandnes Ulf in Norway. They were just relegated from the top division. Torres has previously worked his way up from lower division obscurity in Sweden to the second tier.
- GK Matt Pyzdrowski, who spent the last four years at second division Ängelholm, has made a big move to Helsingborg.
- Paul Torres has moved to Sandnes Ulf in Norway. They were just relegated from the top division. Torres has previously worked his way up from lower division obscurity in Sweden to the second tier.
Top American players are leaving Europe in droves, but that doesn't mean there isn't other, less exciting stuff going on...
- Reports that Bedoya has interest from England, Germany, and MLS but is close to re-signing with Nantes. They are still under a transfer ban so I'd imagine they'd make him a good offer.
- Tyler Miller, who was considered one of the best draft-eligible GKs, has signed a deal with SVN Zweibrücken of the German Regionalliga Südwest. It's a low level, but he should be able to play right away - if he's any good, at least. Seattle drafted him a few days before he signed knowing he was trialing overseas, so they'll be waiting if he comes back.
- Heath Pearce signed a half-season contract with IFK Göteborg of Sweden.
- Fafà Picault signed with Sparta Prague. Picault spent time in Cagliari's academy before bouncing around with a couple NASL teams. Last year, he scored 12 goals for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Sparta will be a big jump for him.
- Alex Ramos (Tab's kid) has left Iona after his sophomore season to sign with Pachuca. Ramos isn't known as a huge prospect; breaking into Pachuca's team will be tough.
- Reports that Bedoya has interest from England, Germany, and MLS but is close to re-signing with Nantes. They are still under a transfer ban so I'd imagine they'd make him a good offer.
- Tyler Miller, who was considered one of the best draft-eligible GKs, has signed a deal with SVN Zweibrücken of the German Regionalliga Südwest. It's a low level, but he should be able to play right away - if he's any good, at least. Seattle drafted him a few days before he signed knowing he was trialing overseas, so they'll be waiting if he comes back.
- Heath Pearce signed a half-season contract with IFK Göteborg of Sweden.
- Fafà Picault signed with Sparta Prague. Picault spent time in Cagliari's academy before bouncing around with a couple NASL teams. Last year, he scored 12 goals for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Sparta will be a big jump for him.
- Alex Ramos (Tab's kid) has left Iona after his sophomore season to sign with Pachuca. Ramos isn't known as a huge prospect; breaking into Pachuca's team will be tough.
- Bobby Wood has moved to fellow 2.Bundesliga club Erzgebirge Aue. Wood badly needs a fresh start after completely falling out with management at 1860. Aue are also relegation strugglers.
- Joe Gyau suffered an injury setback and is set for another procedure that will cause him to miss the rest of the season. Dortmund's struggles were a perfect opportunity for him to make something of a mark. Just when he made a few sub appearances, he got hurt in the Ecuador friendly and the window of opportunity at Dortmund will probably never open a crack again for him.
- Defender Alex DeJohn signed for IK Start of Norway. He was once a lower-round Revs pick, but didn't sign. He went to the 3rd division of Finland in 2013, moved to Finland's top tier in 2014, and now is going to Norway's top division. That's a great year-over-year progression, though he's probably maxed out where he is.
- Former Revs CB/DM Stephen McCarthy has signed with KuPS of Finland.
- Joe Gyau suffered an injury setback and is set for another procedure that will cause him to miss the rest of the season. Dortmund's struggles were a perfect opportunity for him to make something of a mark. Just when he made a few sub appearances, he got hurt in the Ecuador friendly and the window of opportunity at Dortmund will probably never open a crack again for him.
- Defender Alex DeJohn signed for IK Start of Norway. He was once a lower-round Revs pick, but didn't sign. He went to the 3rd division of Finland in 2013, moved to Finland's top tier in 2014, and now is going to Norway's top division. That's a great year-over-year progression, though he's probably maxed out where he is.
- Former Revs CB/DM Stephen McCarthy has signed with KuPS of Finland.
- Julian Green has been demoted to Hamburg II. It's not been a good year for him.
- A.J. Soares is training at Stabæk with Bob Bradley, but will apparently be trialing at other clubs soon. Stabæk really couldn't afford to pay Soares even as much as he was making in New England.
- Christian Pulisic has been cleared to officially join Dortmund early. This is great news because he doesn't turn 18 until September 2016. As such, he just avoided basically a two-year wait for the 2016-17 winter registration window to start playing in official youth games.
- Emerson Hyndman is out for six weeks with a broken collarbone from the U20 qualifiers.
- A.J. Soares is training at Stabæk with Bob Bradley, but will apparently be trialing at other clubs soon. Stabæk really couldn't afford to pay Soares even as much as he was making in New England.
- Christian Pulisic has been cleared to officially join Dortmund early. This is great news because he doesn't turn 18 until September 2016. As such, he just avoided basically a two-year wait for the 2016-17 winter registration window to start playing in official youth games.
- Emerson Hyndman is out for six weeks with a broken collarbone from the U20 qualifiers.
- A.J. Soares is now trialing with Viking in Norway. Unlike Stabæk, Viking can actually afford him. But it's not exactly Hellas Verona.
- Center forward Robert Kristo has signed with Spezia of Serie B. He just finished his college career at Saint Louis and has options abroad because of his Croatian passport. He was drafted by the Crew in the second round on the off chance things didn't work out.
- Giuseppe Gentile signed with FC Chiasso in Switzerland. He's a forward who spent a little time with the Fire last season before being waived and playing for some minor league teams.
- Goalkeeper Kris Devaux signed with Bærum of Norway.
- Center forward Robert Kristo has signed with Spezia of Serie B. He just finished his college career at Saint Louis and has options abroad because of his Croatian passport. He was drafted by the Crew in the second round on the off chance things didn't work out.
- Giuseppe Gentile signed with FC Chiasso in Switzerland. He's a forward who spent a little time with the Fire last season before being waived and playing for some minor league teams.
- Goalkeeper Kris Devaux signed with Bærum of Norway.
Adu was told that he just needs to find a club. We should have known this would be the outcome.
EDIT: apparently this club is no strange to US soccer figures.....it's where Charlie Davies was partying the night of his car accident.
EDIT: apparently this club is no strange to US soccer figures.....it's where Charlie Davies was partying the night of his car accident.
Sounds like Julian Green is resisting his demotion to II and wants to talk with Hamburg management. Hmmm.
I would too if the first team just lost 8-0 to Bayern and the club captain's leaving at season's end
dirtynine said:
It's a lost year for Julian. It's a long road from the Regionalliga Bayern to the Bundesliga. He would have been better off going to a 2.Bundesliga club. From Bayern's perspective, they probably don't care very much. Players who can't contribute in the Bundesliga at Green's age are unlikely to be Bayern-level players. It makes sense from Bayern's perspective to throw them in the deep end, but it's not great for the 99% of players who aren't Bayern-level...like Green.
It seems to be too late to salvage this year. Hopefully he finds himself in a better situation next year. From an NT perspective, I'd like to see Klinsmann & Herzog have him focus on the U23s & the Olympics.
The young American attacker in Europe to really focus on right now is Rubio Rubin. I think he'll be NT-ready much sooner.
- A.J. Soares signed with Viking of the Norwegian league.
- Desevio Payne, a 19 year old Dutch-American right back, made his debut for FC Groningen in the Eredivisie this weekend.
- There's a report that Klinsmann gave Hamburg's 21 year old fullback Ashton Götz a call about playing for the US. Götz has an American father, although from what I understand they don't keep in touch; Götz will have track him down in order to obtain a US passport. In any case there's no rush, it's not like he's a threat to bolt for Germany. I have a healthy dose of skepticism that he'll be good enough for the US anyway.
- Brian Span signed with IFK Mariehamn of Finland
- Desevio Payne, a 19 year old Dutch-American right back, made his debut for FC Groningen in the Eredivisie this weekend.
- There's a report that Klinsmann gave Hamburg's 21 year old fullback Ashton Götz a call about playing for the US. Götz has an American father, although from what I understand they don't keep in touch; Götz will have track him down in order to obtain a US passport. In any case there's no rush, it's not like he's a threat to bolt for Germany. I have a healthy dose of skepticism that he'll be good enough for the US anyway.
- Brian Span signed with IFK Mariehamn of Finland
- Tim Howard is the last American alive in Europe after Borussia Mönchengladbach (Johnson) and Tottenham (Friedel/Yedlin, sorta) crashed out of the Europa League yesterday. Everton have Dynamo Kyiv up next.
- Aron Johannsson has shaken off another minor injury and is expected to return for AZ this weekend. I worry about him. He hasn't been right since the spring. The WC exacerbated an injury and he hasn't looked 100% since his return this winter.
- Sunderland U21 attacking midfielder Lynden Gooch has gone on loan to Gateshead in the Conference. At that level he should be able to get some good playing time, if not it's a bad sign for his future. Gooch is an active US U20 and I'd say on the bubble for the U20 WC squad this summer, especially if Zelalem goes.
- Another US U20, Andrija Novakovich has moved from the Reading U18s to the U21s after scoring five goals in five matches. It's his first year at Reading and he seems to be making good progress.
- Former UNC goalkeeper Brendan Moore has signed with Fleetwood Town in League One. Moore also has a Swiss passport, which is why he could sign in the UK.
- There's a little-known Norwegian-American striker named Bjørn Maars Johnsen who grew up in North Carolina and then moved back to Norway as a late teen and eventually found himself in the lower divisions of Spain and then Portugal. He's a 6'5" target forward who has come into his own this season at age 23, scoring 14 goals for Atlético CP in the Portuguese second division so far. Apparently Benfica were supposed to sign him for their B team [note: Benfica signs a bajillion players that they loan out or stash in the reserves, so this doesn't make him the next Angel di Maria], but Atlético CP's chairman nixed the deal. Johnsen fell out with the club and is now with Litex Lovech in Bulgaria.
Not sure what to make of him exactly, but he's had a peculiar career and I'll be curious to see how it continues. Americans tend to not last long in Eastern Europe, usually because of club "cash flow" issues.
His hair gives him another few inches:
- Aron Johannsson has shaken off another minor injury and is expected to return for AZ this weekend. I worry about him. He hasn't been right since the spring. The WC exacerbated an injury and he hasn't looked 100% since his return this winter.
- Sunderland U21 attacking midfielder Lynden Gooch has gone on loan to Gateshead in the Conference. At that level he should be able to get some good playing time, if not it's a bad sign for his future. Gooch is an active US U20 and I'd say on the bubble for the U20 WC squad this summer, especially if Zelalem goes.
- Another US U20, Andrija Novakovich has moved from the Reading U18s to the U21s after scoring five goals in five matches. It's his first year at Reading and he seems to be making good progress.
- Former UNC goalkeeper Brendan Moore has signed with Fleetwood Town in League One. Moore also has a Swiss passport, which is why he could sign in the UK.
- There's a little-known Norwegian-American striker named Bjørn Maars Johnsen who grew up in North Carolina and then moved back to Norway as a late teen and eventually found himself in the lower divisions of Spain and then Portugal. He's a 6'5" target forward who has come into his own this season at age 23, scoring 14 goals for Atlético CP in the Portuguese second division so far. Apparently Benfica were supposed to sign him for their B team [note: Benfica signs a bajillion players that they loan out or stash in the reserves, so this doesn't make him the next Angel di Maria], but Atlético CP's chairman nixed the deal. Johnsen fell out with the club and is now with Litex Lovech in Bulgaria.
Not sure what to make of him exactly, but he's had a peculiar career and I'll be curious to see how it continues. Americans tend to not last long in Eastern Europe, usually because of club "cash flow" issues.
His hair gives him another few inches:
And I think it's time for a post-winter window YA update:
England
Premier League
GK - Brad Friedel - Tottenham Hotspur
GK - Brad Guzan - Aston Villa
GK - Tim Howard - Everton
DF - DeAndre Yedlin - Tottenham Hotspur
DF/MF - Geoff Cameron - Stoke City
Championship
DF - Eric Lichaj - Nottingham Forest
DF - Oguchi Onyewu - Charlton Athletic
DF - Will Packwood - Birmingham City
DF - Tim Ream - Bolton Wanderers
DF - Zak Whitbread - Derby County
DF/MF - Jonathan Spector - Birmingham City
MF - Duane Holmes - Huddersfield Town
MF - Emerson Hyndman - Fulham
MF - Danny Williams - Reading
League One
GK - Brendan Moore - Fleetwood Town
MF - Gboly Ariyibi - Chesterfield
Conference
MF - Lynden Gooch - Gateshead (on loan from Sunderland)
Germany
Bundesliga
GK - David Yelldell - Bayer Leverkusen
DF - John Brooks - Hertha Berlin
DF - Timothy Chandler - Eintracht Frankfurt
DF/MF - Fabian Johnson - Borussia Mönchengladbach
MF - Julian Green - Hamburg (on loan from Bayern Munich)
MF - Joe Gyau - Borussia Dortmund
2.Bundesliga
MF - Alfredo Morales - Ingolstadt
FW - Terrence Boyd - RB Leipzig
FW - Bobby Wood - Erzgebirge Aue
FW - Andrew Wooten - Sandhausen
3.Liga
GK - Kenneth Kronholm - Holstein Kiel
DF - Royal-Dominique Fennell - Stuttgarter Kickers
FW - Marc Heider - Holstein Kiel
France
Ligue 1
MF - Alejandro Bedoya - Nantes
Italy
Serie B
FW - Robbie Kristo - Spezia
Netherlands
Eredivisie
DF - Travis Brent - Heracles Almelo
DF - Desevio Payne - Groningen
FW - Aron Jóhannsson - AZ Alkmaar
FW - Rubio Rubin - Utrecht
Eerste Divisie
DF - Charles Kazlauskas - Helmond Sport
FW - Dion Watson - Fortuna Sittard
Portugal
Primeira Liga
GK - Caleb Patterson-Sewell - Gil Vicente
Campeonato Nacional
DF - Steven Silva Rodrigues - Salgueiros
MF - Sérgio Duarte - Lusitanos FCV (on loan from Marítimo)
Israel
Premier League
MF - Bryan Gerzicich - Hapoel Tel Aviv
Bulgaria
A Group
FW - Bjørn Maars Johnsen - Litex Lovech
Austria
Bundesliga
MF - Conor O'Brien - Wiener Neustadt
First League
GK - Keith Cardona - FC Liefering
DF - Shawn Barry - LASK Linz
Czech Republic
First League
MF - Nermin Crnkić - Jablonec
FW - Fafà Picault - Sparta Prague
Denmark
1st Division
DF - Sebastien Ibeagha - AC Horsens
DF - Babajide Ogunbiyi - Viborg
Norway
Eliteserien
DF - Rhett Bernstein - Mjøndalen
DF - Alex DeJohn - IK Start
DF - Zarek Valentin - Bodø/Glimt
MF - Josh Gatt - Molde
MF - Cole Grossman - Stabæk
1.Division
GK - Kris Devaux - Bærum
GK - Alex Horwath - Brann
DF - Sebastian Troupe - Bærum
MF - Paul Torres - Sandnes Ulf
MF - Bobby Warshaw - Bærum
Sweden
Allsvenskan
GK - Matt Pyzdrowski - Helsingborg
DF - Heath Pearce - IFK Göteborg
Superettan
DF - Patrick Hopkins - IK Sirius
DF - Eric Pothast - Ängelholm FF
Switzerland
Challenge League
FW - Giuseppe Gentile - Chiasso
Scotland
Championship
DF - Kevin Dzierzawski - Queen of the South
Ireland
Premier Division
FW - Jake Keegan - Galway
Finland
Veikkausliiga
DF - Stephen McCarthy - KuPS
MF - Brian Span - IFK Mariehamn
FW - Jordan Seabrook - VPS
Armenia
Premier League
MF - Christian King - Ararat Yerevan
MF - Jamel Wallace - Ararat Yerevan
FW - Bryan de la Fuente - Ararat Yerevan
FW - Cesar Romero - Pyunik
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Premier League
MF - Aris Nukic - Olimpic Sarajevo
FW - Danijal Brkovic - Olimpic Sarajevo
Mexico
Liga MX
GK - William Yarbrough - León
DF - Ventura Alvarado - América
DF - Jonathan Bornstein - Querétaro (on loan from Tigres)
DF - Edgar Castillo - Atlas
DF - Greg Garza - Tijuana
DF - Michael Orozco - Puebla
MF - Paul Arriola - Tijuana
MF - Joe Corona - Tijuana
MF - Gabriel Farfan - Chiapas
MF - Alejandro Guido - Tijuana
MF - Ernest Nungaray - Veracruz
MF - Jose Torres - Tigres
MF - Jesus Vazquez - Universidad de Guadalajara
FW - Herculez Gomez - Puebla
FW - Alonso Hernandez - Monterrey
FW - Omar Salgado - Tigres
Ascenso MX
GK - Austin Guerrero - Altamira
DF - Juan Pablo Ocegueda - Alebrijes de Oaxaca (on loan from Tigres)
MF - Daniel Cuevas - Lobos BUAP
MF - Kevin Huezo - Irapuato
MF - Marco Vidal - Zacatepec
FW - Julio Morales - Deportivo Tepic (on loan from Chivas)
FW - Bruno Piceno - Dorados de Sinaloa
FW - Esteban Rodriguez - Dorados de Sinaloa (on loan from Tijuana)
Peru
Primera Division
MF - Diego Chavarri - San Simón
Uruguay
Primera Division
MF - Fabian Bastidas - River Plate (URU)
England
Premier League
GK - Brad Friedel - Tottenham Hotspur
GK - Brad Guzan - Aston Villa
GK - Tim Howard - Everton
DF - DeAndre Yedlin - Tottenham Hotspur
DF/MF - Geoff Cameron - Stoke City
Championship
DF - Eric Lichaj - Nottingham Forest
DF - Oguchi Onyewu - Charlton Athletic
DF - Will Packwood - Birmingham City
DF - Tim Ream - Bolton Wanderers
DF - Zak Whitbread - Derby County
DF/MF - Jonathan Spector - Birmingham City
MF - Duane Holmes - Huddersfield Town
MF - Emerson Hyndman - Fulham
MF - Danny Williams - Reading
League One
GK - Brendan Moore - Fleetwood Town
MF - Gboly Ariyibi - Chesterfield
Conference
MF - Lynden Gooch - Gateshead (on loan from Sunderland)
Germany
Bundesliga
GK - David Yelldell - Bayer Leverkusen
DF - John Brooks - Hertha Berlin
DF - Timothy Chandler - Eintracht Frankfurt
DF/MF - Fabian Johnson - Borussia Mönchengladbach
MF - Julian Green - Hamburg (on loan from Bayern Munich)
MF - Joe Gyau - Borussia Dortmund
2.Bundesliga
MF - Alfredo Morales - Ingolstadt
FW - Terrence Boyd - RB Leipzig
FW - Bobby Wood - Erzgebirge Aue
FW - Andrew Wooten - Sandhausen
3.Liga
GK - Kenneth Kronholm - Holstein Kiel
DF - Royal-Dominique Fennell - Stuttgarter Kickers
FW - Marc Heider - Holstein Kiel
France
Ligue 1
MF - Alejandro Bedoya - Nantes
Italy
Serie B
FW - Robbie Kristo - Spezia
Netherlands
Eredivisie
DF - Travis Brent - Heracles Almelo
DF - Desevio Payne - Groningen
FW - Aron Jóhannsson - AZ Alkmaar
FW - Rubio Rubin - Utrecht
Eerste Divisie
DF - Charles Kazlauskas - Helmond Sport
FW - Dion Watson - Fortuna Sittard
Portugal
Primeira Liga
GK - Caleb Patterson-Sewell - Gil Vicente
Campeonato Nacional
DF - Steven Silva Rodrigues - Salgueiros
MF - Sérgio Duarte - Lusitanos FCV (on loan from Marítimo)
Israel
Premier League
MF - Bryan Gerzicich - Hapoel Tel Aviv
Bulgaria
A Group
FW - Bjørn Maars Johnsen - Litex Lovech
Austria
Bundesliga
MF - Conor O'Brien - Wiener Neustadt
First League
GK - Keith Cardona - FC Liefering
DF - Shawn Barry - LASK Linz
Czech Republic
First League
MF - Nermin Crnkić - Jablonec
FW - Fafà Picault - Sparta Prague
Denmark
1st Division
DF - Sebastien Ibeagha - AC Horsens
DF - Babajide Ogunbiyi - Viborg
Norway
Eliteserien
DF - Rhett Bernstein - Mjøndalen
DF - Alex DeJohn - IK Start
DF - Zarek Valentin - Bodø/Glimt
MF - Josh Gatt - Molde
MF - Cole Grossman - Stabæk
1.Division
GK - Kris Devaux - Bærum
GK - Alex Horwath - Brann
DF - Sebastian Troupe - Bærum
MF - Paul Torres - Sandnes Ulf
MF - Bobby Warshaw - Bærum
Sweden
Allsvenskan
GK - Matt Pyzdrowski - Helsingborg
DF - Heath Pearce - IFK Göteborg
Superettan
DF - Patrick Hopkins - IK Sirius
DF - Eric Pothast - Ängelholm FF
Switzerland
Challenge League
FW - Giuseppe Gentile - Chiasso
Scotland
Championship
DF - Kevin Dzierzawski - Queen of the South
Ireland
Premier Division
FW - Jake Keegan - Galway
Finland
Veikkausliiga
DF - Stephen McCarthy - KuPS
MF - Brian Span - IFK Mariehamn
FW - Jordan Seabrook - VPS
Armenia
Premier League
MF - Christian King - Ararat Yerevan
MF - Jamel Wallace - Ararat Yerevan
FW - Bryan de la Fuente - Ararat Yerevan
FW - Cesar Romero - Pyunik
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Premier League
MF - Aris Nukic - Olimpic Sarajevo
FW - Danijal Brkovic - Olimpic Sarajevo
Mexico
Liga MX
GK - William Yarbrough - León
DF - Ventura Alvarado - América
DF - Jonathan Bornstein - Querétaro (on loan from Tigres)
DF - Edgar Castillo - Atlas
DF - Greg Garza - Tijuana
DF - Michael Orozco - Puebla
MF - Paul Arriola - Tijuana
MF - Joe Corona - Tijuana
MF - Gabriel Farfan - Chiapas
MF - Alejandro Guido - Tijuana
MF - Ernest Nungaray - Veracruz
MF - Jose Torres - Tigres
MF - Jesus Vazquez - Universidad de Guadalajara
FW - Herculez Gomez - Puebla
FW - Alonso Hernandez - Monterrey
FW - Omar Salgado - Tigres
Ascenso MX
GK - Austin Guerrero - Altamira
DF - Juan Pablo Ocegueda - Alebrijes de Oaxaca (on loan from Tigres)
MF - Daniel Cuevas - Lobos BUAP
MF - Kevin Huezo - Irapuato
MF - Marco Vidal - Zacatepec
FW - Julio Morales - Deportivo Tepic (on loan from Chivas)
FW - Bruno Piceno - Dorados de Sinaloa
FW - Esteban Rodriguez - Dorados de Sinaloa (on loan from Tijuana)
Peru
Primera Division
MF - Diego Chavarri - San Simón
Uruguay
Primera Division
MF - Fabian Bastidas - River Plate (URU)
Youth players -
England
Premier League
GK - Cody Cropper - Southampton
GK - Charlie Horton - Cardiff City
DF - Danny Barbir - West Bromwich Albion
DF - Cameron Carter-Vickers - Tottenham Hotspur
DF - Kyle Gruno - Leicester City
DF - Antonee Robinson - Everton
MF - Sebastian Lletget - West Ham United
MF - Marc Pelosi - Liverpool
MF - Kris Scott- Leicester City
MF - Kyle Scott - Chelsea
MF - Gedion Zelalem - Arsenal
Championship
GK - Arie Ammann - Watford
GK - Aleks Gogic - Reading
MF - Luca de la Torre - Fulham
FW - Andrija Novakovich - Reading
Germany
Bundesliga
GK - Zack Steffen - Freiburg
MF - Russell Canouse - Hoffenheim
MF - Junior Flores - Borussia Dortmund
MF - Abuchi Obinwa - Hannover
MF - Christian Pulisic - Borussia Dortmund
MF - Ethan Sonis - Freiburg
MF - Caleb Stanko - Freiburg
FW - Mario Rodriguez - Borussia Mönchengladbach
FW - Haji Wright - Schalke
2.Bundesliga
MF - Omar Castro - Eintracht Braunschweig
MF - Irvin Parra - Kaiserslautern
FW - Christian Albelo - FSV Frankfurt
FW - Jann George - Greuther Fürth
FW - David Spies - Nürnberg
Italy
Serie A
FW - Joshua Perez - Fiorentina
Spain
La Liga
MF - Ben Lederman - Barcelona
MF - Joshua Pynadath - Real Madrid
FW - Mukwelle Akale - Villarreal
FW - Konrad de la Fuente - Barcelona
FW - Boxi Yomba - Atlético Madrid
Netherlands
Eredivisie
GK - Benjamin Machini - Excelsior
FW - Kai Koreniuk - Vitesse
Norway
Eliteserien
GK - Ethan Horvath - Molde
FW - Ben Spencer - Molde
Argentina
Primera
MF - Joel Soñora - Boca Juniors
Mexico
Liga MX
GK - Ramon Garcia - León
GK - Carlos Lopez - Tijuana
GK - Bernabe Magaña - Pumas UNAM
GK - Sebastian Mora - Pumas UNAM
GK - Samuel Velazquez - Tijuana
DF - Jose Alfaro, Jr. - Morelia
DF - Carlo Chavez - Tijuana
DF - Cristian Cruz - Morelia
DF - Jonathan Esparza - Tijuana
DF - Luis Martir - Chivas de Guadalajara
DF - Miguel Palafox - León
DF - Juan Perez - León
DF - John Requejo, Jr. - Tijuana
DF - Victor Reyes Dominguez - Querétaro
DF - Raul Rodriguez - Tijuana
DF - Angel Uribe - Tijuana
MF - Fernando Arce, Jr. - Tijuana
MF - Dennis Flores - León
MF - Ruben Gonzalez - Tijuana
MF - Ethan Lotenero - Pachuca
MF - Lorenzo Ramirez - Tijuana
MF - Alex Ramos - Pachuca
MF - Jacobo Reyes - Monterrey
FW - Alan Cortinas - Tigres
FW - Ernesto Espinoza - Tijuana
FW - Joe Gallardo - Monterrey
FW - Emilio Garcia - Pachuca
FW - Brandon Monteon - Tijuana
FW - Jose Montes de Oca - León
FW - Amando Moreno - Tijuana
FW - Andres Muniz - Morelia
FW - Brandon Vazquez - Tijuana
England
Premier League
GK - Cody Cropper - Southampton
GK - Charlie Horton - Cardiff City
DF - Danny Barbir - West Bromwich Albion
DF - Cameron Carter-Vickers - Tottenham Hotspur
DF - Kyle Gruno - Leicester City
DF - Antonee Robinson - Everton
MF - Sebastian Lletget - West Ham United
MF - Marc Pelosi - Liverpool
MF - Kris Scott- Leicester City
MF - Kyle Scott - Chelsea
MF - Gedion Zelalem - Arsenal
Championship
GK - Arie Ammann - Watford
GK - Aleks Gogic - Reading
MF - Luca de la Torre - Fulham
FW - Andrija Novakovich - Reading
Germany
Bundesliga
GK - Zack Steffen - Freiburg
MF - Russell Canouse - Hoffenheim
MF - Junior Flores - Borussia Dortmund
MF - Abuchi Obinwa - Hannover
MF - Christian Pulisic - Borussia Dortmund
MF - Ethan Sonis - Freiburg
MF - Caleb Stanko - Freiburg
FW - Mario Rodriguez - Borussia Mönchengladbach
FW - Haji Wright - Schalke
2.Bundesliga
MF - Omar Castro - Eintracht Braunschweig
MF - Irvin Parra - Kaiserslautern
FW - Christian Albelo - FSV Frankfurt
FW - Jann George - Greuther Fürth
FW - David Spies - Nürnberg
Italy
Serie A
FW - Joshua Perez - Fiorentina
Spain
La Liga
MF - Ben Lederman - Barcelona
MF - Joshua Pynadath - Real Madrid
FW - Mukwelle Akale - Villarreal
FW - Konrad de la Fuente - Barcelona
FW - Boxi Yomba - Atlético Madrid
Netherlands
Eredivisie
GK - Benjamin Machini - Excelsior
FW - Kai Koreniuk - Vitesse
Norway
Eliteserien
GK - Ethan Horvath - Molde
FW - Ben Spencer - Molde
Argentina
Primera
MF - Joel Soñora - Boca Juniors
Mexico
Liga MX
GK - Ramon Garcia - León
GK - Carlos Lopez - Tijuana
GK - Bernabe Magaña - Pumas UNAM
GK - Sebastian Mora - Pumas UNAM
GK - Samuel Velazquez - Tijuana
DF - Jose Alfaro, Jr. - Morelia
DF - Carlo Chavez - Tijuana
DF - Cristian Cruz - Morelia
DF - Jonathan Esparza - Tijuana
DF - Luis Martir - Chivas de Guadalajara
DF - Miguel Palafox - León
DF - Juan Perez - León
DF - John Requejo, Jr. - Tijuana
DF - Victor Reyes Dominguez - Querétaro
DF - Raul Rodriguez - Tijuana
DF - Angel Uribe - Tijuana
MF - Fernando Arce, Jr. - Tijuana
MF - Dennis Flores - León
MF - Ruben Gonzalez - Tijuana
MF - Ethan Lotenero - Pachuca
MF - Lorenzo Ramirez - Tijuana
MF - Alex Ramos - Pachuca
MF - Jacobo Reyes - Monterrey
FW - Alan Cortinas - Tigres
FW - Ernesto Espinoza - Tijuana
FW - Joe Gallardo - Monterrey
FW - Emilio Garcia - Pachuca
FW - Brandon Monteon - Tijuana
FW - Jose Montes de Oca - León
FW - Amando Moreno - Tijuana
FW - Andres Muniz - Morelia
FW - Brandon Vazquez - Tijuana
- VfB Stuttgart winger/forward Jerome Kiesewetter made his Bundesliga debut last week. Kiesewetter played for our U20 team in CONCACAF qualifiers last cycle, but was cut before the World Cup after a poor showing. This year, he's been a regular with Stuttgart's reserve team in the 3. Liga and has just been called up to the first team. Stuttgart are in serious relegation trouble and have some injuries, so this may just be a desperation call.
- Birmingham center back (and Concord, MA native) Will Packwood has gone on loan to Cheltenham Town. He started 12 games down the stretch last year, but hasn't been able to get into the team this season. Jonathan Spector is actually playing CB for them these days. Hopefully Packwood can get his mojo back in League Two.
- Morgan Langley, a winger, has signed with St. Patrick's Athletic after spending four seasons in the USL with Harrisburg City Islanders.
- Birmingham center back (and Concord, MA native) Will Packwood has gone on loan to Cheltenham Town. He started 12 games down the stretch last year, but hasn't been able to get into the team this season. Jonathan Spector is actually playing CB for them these days. Hopefully Packwood can get his mojo back in League Two.
- Morgan Langley, a winger, has signed with St. Patrick's Athletic after spending four seasons in the USL with Harrisburg City Islanders.
Reading won their FA Cup replay against Bradford City 3-0. Danny Williams went 90; Reading are up against Arsenal in the semifinal.
Reading's 18 year old American forward Andrija Novakovich also made his Championship debut on Saturday when the Royals rested a bunch of starters for the FA Cup game. He's not truly first-team ready yet, but it's a good sign for his development.
Reading's 18 year old American forward Andrija Novakovich also made his Championship debut on Saturday when the Royals rested a bunch of starters for the FA Cup game. He's not truly first-team ready yet, but it's a good sign for his development.
I don´t know how to post a video, but here´s the link of John Brooks´newest defensive mistake. He lets the attacker (Schalke´s Leroy Sané) pass him without even making a move for the ball:
http://www.highlighthub.com/leroy-sane-chips-ball-past-hertha-goalkeeper-gif-video/
http://www.highlighthub.com/leroy-sane-chips-ball-past-hertha-goalkeeper-gif-video/
Schnerres said:
Ouch. Brooks has stretches of games where he looks dominant. Then he does really amateurish stuff like this. He'll always being somewhat limited if he can't be focused for 90 minutes.
It's pretty bad defending, but you make it sound a touch worse than it was. He got undressed by the guy faking inside and was wrong footed, but it's not like he just stood there looking at cloud formations.
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