Welcome to this weekend’s edition of the Commentary Thread. I thought the photo above appropriate with the return in Sweden of the Svenska Cupen,this weekend and with Alejandro’s Helsingborg looking for a win at Varberg. Varberg begin just their second season in Superttan (2nd tier) later this year, and will be tested by by perennial Allsvenskan Powerhouse Helsingborg. In the Cup Helsingborg were held to a draw last weekend, and will want to get the world back in balance.
In the UK we have the 6th Round of the FA Cup, Everton will be facing against fellow EPL team, Wigan. Unfortunately Tim Howard will not be playing due to a back injury, it gets worse, the USA #1 keeper is probably out for a while and will miss a number of WCQ games. Get well soon Timmy. In the EPL Brad Guzan, who I will guess will be Tim’s replacement for the USMNT will be visiting Reading as Aston Villa continue to struggle and three points here will help their bid to stave off relegation. In the Championship, of late, we have more players, for varying reasons, not playing for their teams, so lets hope this weekend see’s a change in that trend. Seb Hines is back in form at Middlesbrough and Jonathan Spector seems to have reclaimed his starting spot at Birmingham. So that leaves us wondering who will make the gameday 18, and possibly start? Tim Ream and Stuart Holden are having difficulty breaking into Bolton’s starting 11, Coach Freeman has stated that he does not want to meddle with the team he has right now, which has had some success. Zak Whitbread went through an injury and is back with Leicester making the 18 the last two weeks, but failing to leave the bench, much the same for Conor Doyle at Derby, who had made only 2 appearances this season due to injury. Zak is firmly established at Leicester, so I expect that he will regain his 1st team position, but Conor looks to require a little luck to make it back on the pitch during this season.
In Germany, undoubtedly the game of the day will be, Schalke at home to Dortmund. Jermaine and Co. will be up against it right from the kick-off, but Dortmund are not unbeatable and Schalke have not lost in Bundesliga for 3 weeks. Promises to be one to watch. Mainz are at home to Leverkusen, Shawn Parker is back from suspension and although Mainz are not winning, they are not losing either, having drawn all of their last 4 games, I think another draw is on the cards for this one. If Hoffenheim are going to battle out of, what looks like, certain relegation they must beat Greuther Furth. Fabian and Danny will have to help their team shine and start the turnaround. Interestingly Greuther’s only wins this season have been away from home, so Hoffenheim have a realistic chance at points.
After the “earlier games” in the UK and Germany quite a few notable USMNT players are scheduled to take to the field. Terrence Boyd will be the first, starting in Austria for his club, Rapid, followed by Sash Kljestan and Anderlecht, looking to get back to winning ways in Belgium. Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley will start their games , for AZ Alkmaar and Roma respectively at 2.45pm ET, and that will play-out our Saturday commentary.
On Sunday, there are fewer games of interest for following US Players. But there are some potentially great game. In the EPL Stoke will visit Newcastle, Brek Shea and Geoff Cameron will be hoping for a start. Clint Dempsey will likely make the bench, but is no certainty to play, as Tottenham visit Liverpool. I’m sure that Clint would relish the idea of putting a couple past the keeper at Anfield, we will have to wait and see. Friedel who had a great game in mid-week will probably take his place on the bench for this one.
As for the rest of the clashes on Sunday, in Germany Hannover are home to Eintracht, I am not sure as to Cherundolo’s fitness (at this time) but will endeavor to find out and fill you all in. Danish Superliga continues with some US Player interest Kobenhavn are at home to Silkeborg and AGF will get a visit from Brondby and Clarence Goodson. After failing to take the field in the last 3, Carlos Bocanegra will be hoping for a change in fortune at Racing Santander. The Sunday Commentary will wind down with Maurice Edu and Bursaspor calling on Fenerbahce in the Turkish Super Lig. Fener’ (40)are just 3 points ahead of Bursa’(37) and both are chasing Besiktas(42) for the 2nd automatic UCL spot. Promises to be a good one to end our weekend follow’s.
As usual (it goes without saying I think) feel free to start a discussion or just chat and give your opinion. The commentary is here for your enjoyment and what better way, than to participate.
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Murcia tie things up (72)
Racing Santander 1 – 1 Murcia (73)
Racing Santander reclaim the lead (82)
Racing Santander 2 – 1 Murcia (83)
Liverpool take the lead (82) PK
Liverpool 3 – 2 Tottenham (83)
Final in Spain
Racing Santander 2 – 1 Real Murcia
Bocanegra did not get off the bench again (worrying for USMNT, considering injuries etc)
In Turkey
Bursaspor survives the first half
Fenerbahce 1 – 1 Bursaspor
Full Time
Liverpool defeat Tottenham
Liverpool 3 – 2 Tottenham
2nd half starts in Turkey
Fenerbahce 1 – 1 Bursaspor (46)
Clarence Goodson starts for Brondby as they visit AGF Aarhus
in Denmark Superliga
AGF 0 – 0 Brondby (4)
Fenerbahce take the lead (55)
Fenerbahce 2 – 1 Bursaspor (56)
It was coming since halfway through the first half – Fener’ are the better team today
After 20 minutes still scoreless AGF V Brondby
Manchester United and Chelsea play to a 2 – 2 draw in the FA Cup – replay in London, either Tuesday or Wednesday?
Scores Update
AGF 0 – 0 Brondby (26)
Fenerbahce 2 – 1 Bursaspor (70)
Fenerbahce extend (75)
Fenerbahce 3 – 1 Bursaspor (79)
FA CUP SEMI FINAL DRAW
Millwall or Blackburn Vs Wigan
Manchester United or Chelsea Vs Manchester City
to be played 13/14 April
So no Manchester Final ….sigh
But Utd v City or Chelsea v City will be a cracker
Scores Update
AGF 0 – 0 Brondby (43)
Fenerbahce 3 – 1 Bursaspor (86)
All subs used by Bursaspor, so Maurice Edu will go the full 90 minutes
Half Time
AGF 0 – 1 Brondby
Brondby score in 45th minute
OooF!! Fenerbahce score again (88)
Fenerbahce 4 – 1 Bursaspor (90)
That’s a final in Turkey. Bursaspor came out and surprised Fenerbahce with an early goal. Fener’ hit their stride quickly after that and never looked like losing. Maurice Edu had a solid game in a losing effort
Fenerbahce 4 – 1 Bursaspor
Brondby are pounding AGF (49, 65)
AGF 0 – 3 Brondby (71)
So, Brondby win 3 – 0 Vs AGF which gives three extremely valuable points to the hurting Brondby. At 20 points they are now 1 point away from safety, only 2 points separates the last 4 teams(2 are relegated)
USMNT Clarence Goodson put in a full 90 mins.
Not a banner day today by any means, few games, and not that exciting. Still we did get another GOAL out of it. So the weekend looks like this;
Preston Zimmerman GOAL for Darmstadt
Andy Hebler GOAL for Holstein Kiel
Hercules Gomez GOAL for Santos Laguna
Alejandro Bedoya GOAL for Helsinborg
Frank Simek – ASSIST for Carlisle
There may be a few more Assist’s that I missed.
That’s it for the Weekend Commentary Thread this week. Thank you for joining me in following our US Players all over the world, and for your comments and questions. I look forward to doing it all over again next weekend.
Matt has already posted a bunch of Video Highlights – so go see them, and remember to come back to Socceroverthere.com regularly to get the scoop on everything Soccer Over There. You can reach me @USOT_Soccerbeat on Twitter or just leave a note here, I will get to see it.
Cheers