Howie’s Pick – Fabian Johnson (TSG Hoffenheim – German Bundesliga)
Fabian Johnson got the start at left midfield and had an assist in Hoffenheim’s 2-1 win over Nurnberg.
Matt’s Pick – Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar – Dutch Eredivisie)
Jozy Altidore continues his tear on Eredivisie with another two goals, bringing his total to 30 across all competitions this season, although his back-heel assist might have been his best effort of the weekend (highlights here).
Fabian Johnson started at left midfield and faced off against Timothy Chandler at Nurnberg today. Johnson assisted on Hoffnehim’s first goal in their 2-1 win over Chandler and Co. Here are the highlights.
Work was crazy today (and will be tomorrow), so here are some quick links.
US Soccer officially announced the friendly against Belgium for May 29 in Cleveland. The US will be playing in Cleveland for only the second time ever for an official match. And the US is 1-3-0 all-time against Belgium.
While we are still waiting for an official announcement on the rumored friendly against Germany, now there are rumblings that there could be a third friendly during that May/June time. Add those three friendlies with three qualifiers in June and that might be a lot of games in a short period of time.
According to this article (and this tweet), it looks like Germany’s U-21 coach wants him for the 2015 U-21 Euros (and he would be eligible). Basically I am not going to get myself worked up about Brooks.
Want to see Brek Shea in a Stoke City onesie? Why not.
According to Hoffenheim’s manager Marco Kurz, Fabian Johnson is unlikely to play this weekend. I think he will still get called in for the US.
Todd Marshall breaks down which Americans in Mexico have a good shot of being called in for the upcoming qualifiers.
Jurgen Klinsmann took over US Soccer’s twitter account yesterday and while he didn’t answer any of Howie’squestions, he did give us some good news on Clint Dempsey, Fabian Johnson and Steve Cherundolo.
Spoke with Clint. Back in training & hopes to play v Inter. All good for WCQs RT: @mrhoffman02 When will we know if Dempsey is able to play
And while it has been mentioned before, Bruce Arena gave an update on Landon Donovan and he should return to the Galaxy the last week in March.
Costa Rica released their roster for the qualifiers. Good news for USMNT fans, and most Red Bulls fans can confirm this, Roy Miller made their roster. Also, I just noticed tonight that the US is winless in its last five games (3L, 2D) against Costa Rica and haven’t won a game since a qualifier in 2005.
The US U-20 team will be playing in the Toulon Tournament in late May/early June.
One of those players, Juan Ocegueda, is still going to play for Chivas Guadalajara despite playing for the US. Chivas have a policy of “Mexican only” players, but they are apparently going to look the other way with Ocegueda.
Conor O’Brien got the start and went he full 90 minutes in Nordsjaelland’s 1-1 draw to FC Midtjylland yesterday.
I haven’t heard Charles Renken’s name since he returned to the US last year, but he and fellow American Aubrey Perry are in Sweden on trial at Umeå FC at the moment.
And finally, Etchu Tabe has returned to Finland with KuPS again.
I posted this in The OT Report, but Fabian Johnson missed Hoffenheim’s game this weekend due to a hip issue. For those counting at home, the following potential USMNT players are injured/not playing for their club team: Tim Howard, Fabian Johnson, Steve Cherundolo, Clint Dempsey, Carlos Bocanegra and Edgar Castillo.
US U-20 forward Mario Rodriguez scored two goals for Kaiserslautern in a 5-1 win in a German Junior Cup match.
I am still looking for highlights, but Joe Gyau was involved in one of St. Pauli’s goals this weekend then celebrated with a teammate.
Hertha Berlin’s website has an interview up with Anthony Brooks. Now for some fun courtesy of Google Translate:
herthabsc.de: With your consistent performance you recommended you for deployments in U20 National Team, are accumulated because of your dual citizenship in both the U.S. as well as Germany. Perhaps there will come a decision up to you, what thoughts you’ve already done it?
John Anthony Brooks: I have not ever done me no thoughts. I let it come to me and just try here at the club Hertha BSC to bring my performance, because only then can I recommend for additional nominations for the national team. Everything else will then become evident. If the decision to be taken at some point maybe really, it is an abdominal or heart decision, whatever you want.
So Jozy Altidore had himself a nice little game yesterday. Here is a post-game interview with Altidore. AZ Alkmaar is now headed to the final of the KNVB Cup on May 9 against PSV Eindhoven. Jozy has scored seven goals in five KNVB Cup matches this year, including at least one in each of the five games, becoming the first AZ player to do that since Barry van Galen in 2000-01.
Jozy wasn’t the only American who scored yesterday. Zach Pfeffer scored for Hoffenheim’s U-19 team in a 3-0 win over SC Freiburg. Russell Canouse also went the full 90 minutes for Hoffenheim.
Sticking with Hoffenheim, the team’s website has an interview up with Fabian Johnson. On a slight Johnson tangent, what if Edgar Castillo continues to play well? Maybe start Castillo at left back for the USMNT and bump Johnson up to midfield on the left side to create some width? Just spitballing here.
Sacha Kljestan and Anderlecht lost in league play yesterday, the team’s first since October 27. The team was 13-0-2 in league play over that stretch before yesterday’s loss. And Kljestan talked to Greg Seltzer about a few things as well as the possibility of becoming a captain at Anderlecht in the future.
Thanks to Armando for e-mailing this in, but here is a video on Jermaine Jones. It looks to be from last September, but I had not seen it before.
Our goal tracker has been a lot busier this month, especially in the last week. So check that out.
Fabian Johnson played all 90 minutes while Danny Williams came off the bench in the 78th minute in this 1-0 defeat to Hannover 96, who were missing captain Steve Cherundolo as he recovers from surgery.
Looking for full highlights, but here is the goal.
