With the major European leagues wrapping up (some in legendary fashion), it’s time to revisit a SoccerOverThere.com favorite: the OT XI. Before discussing this year’s OT XI, let’s review the honorees from 2010-11:
Unlike the 2009-10 OT XI that saw three guys return to the States, all of last year’s honorees were in theory eligible for this year’s team, although extended injuries (Holden, Lichaj) and less than ideal club moves (Yelldell, Bedoya) played a factor. Before unveiling this year’s team, we must recognize the gentlemen who were gunning for a three-peat, having earned spots on both the 2009-10 and 2010-11 squads:
- Clarence Goodson
- Clint Dempsey
Will Clay and Deuce three-peat? The answer lies below:
Breaking down the team:
Goalkeeper
Tim Howard, Everton (England)
Did you realize that Everton finished joint-third in the goals allowed column in the Premier League this season? After a somewhat forgettable Gold Cup, Howard had one of his better club seasons, allowing his fewest goals since 2008-09 despite a record-setting offensive season in the Premier League. For just the second time in 25 years and the seventh time in the last 50 seasons, the Toffees finished ahead of rivals Liverpool (alone in 7th) despite having a transfer budget so meager they were forced to rent a winger from Major League Soccer. Howard becomes the third keeper in as many years to earn this honor.
Defenders
Jonathan Spector, Birmingham City (England)
Michael Parkhurst, FC Nordsjælland (Denmark)
Oguchi Onyewu, Sporting CP (Portugal)
Fabian Johnson, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (Germany)
It’s a story of renewed careers at the backline. Jonathan Spector, largely a reserve as West Ham United sank to relegation a year before, helped Birmingham City to the promotion playoffs despite missing several weeks with an injury. Meanwhile, Oguchi Onyewu, seemingly bound to never recover from his 2009 knee injury, landed at a surprisingly big club and surprisingly became a regular starter in Portugal’s second-best defense and a Europa League semifinalist. Michael Parkhurst’s consistency blosomed into a great year as poor little Nordsjælland are surprise title and Champions League contenders, allowing just 22 goals in 30 matches. Meanwhile, in Germany, hybrid wingback Fabian Johnson provided some quality minutes at leftback, sparking debate about whether he could in fact be the First Great American Leftback.
Midfielders
Bryan Gerzicich, Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona (Israel)
Josh Gatt, Molde (Norway)
Michael Bradley, Chievo Verona (Italy)
Sacha Kljestan, Anderlecht (Belgium)
Clint Dempsey, Fulham (England)
Bryan Gerzichich and Kiryat Shmona were surprise champions of Israel. The plucky bunch from the tiny border city, 4th in 2010-11, ran away with the Israeli Premier League by an astonishing 17 points in the regular season and holding on in the playoffs to advance to Champions League qualifying in part because of Gerzicich’s play in the midfield. Meanwhile, another Yank starred for a surprise champion in Norway, as Josh Gatt played pretty much everywhere on the right in helping Molde FK celebrate its centennial with its first top-flight title and making the would-be college sophomore a favorite of coach and Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjær. Michael Bradley rebounded from a nightmare loan spell with Aston Villa last year to put together one of his finest seasons of his career, with the now-minted “General Bradley” helping Chievo to a top-half finish despite having the league’s second-worst offense. Elsewhere, Sacha Kljestan was yet another champion in the midfield, turning in consistently strong performances as Anderlecht won its 31st title and move into the Champions League group stages. Finally, Clint Dempsey is pretty much awesome.
Forward
Jozy Altidore, AZ (Netherlands)
After a forgettable three years in Europe (six goals in 77 appearances with four different clubs), Jozy Altidore moved to the Netherlands and finally found his touch. Despite a few benchings, Altidore consistently returned to the lineup because he scored goals. He scored 15th in the Eredivisie (good for 7th in the league) and 19 in all competitions, nearly matching his career total. Additionally, playing as the center forward in AZ’s 4-3-3, he finally embraced the finer parts of the #9 role, making nice near post runs and showing the best holdup play of his career. Despite a late slump, AZ and Altidore will be in the Europa League next year, and the team’s leading scorer will be looked upon to build on a strong debut year.
2011-12 MVP
Clint Dempsey, M/F, Fulham
Whenever Dempsey retires or moves back to MLS, we might have to rename this award the Clint Dempsey Trophy. After winning deserving MVP awards the past two seasons, Deuce had his best season yet, moving from “nice/quality player” to “elite”. Dempsey finished 4th in the Premier League in goals with 17 and finished with 23 goals across the board, surpassing his total combined from the last two seasons. He blitzed past former teammate Brian McBride to become the leading scorer by an American in England, went over 50 goals for his career, and may have earned his way to a Champions League transfer. He’s a great American, my friends.
Goal of the Year
Perhaps no goal was more symbolic of Gatt’s performance than his flying, slaloming run against Start that put a defender on the ground and solidified his spot as perhaps the most exciting American youngster.
Performance of the Year
We were all impressed when Dempsey scored a hat trick in a 4-0 FA Cup win over League One’s Charlton, but we were really impressed when he went and had a hat trick two weeks later against a Premier League side. Dempsey destroyed a Champions League-contending Newcastle on January 21, even passing on a penalty kick when sitting on two goals to earn the hat trick the real way. (Indeed, had Dempsey taken Fulham’s penalty kicks that day, he could have earned himself a Golden Helmet of Mambrino five goals. Yeah, he can ball.
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For the second year in a row, Howie, you left off Charles Kazlauskas. The guy is a regular starter for his club, who by the way are in the final to reach the Eredivisie in the promotion playoffs. He also just scored two goals in two consecutive matches to put them there. What more could you ask of him???
While I agree Howard had a good season, I think Friedel had a better one. Although Everton allowed 40 goals this season, Spurs allowed 41, a miniscule difference. But the biggest difference is that Spurs qualified for the Champions league and Everton didn’t. Friedel put in some clutch performances and had an excellent start to the season. He rarely makes mistakes and is a big reason why Spurs were so successful.
Don’t know about having Spector over Chandler.
I disagree with the starting 11, there is no possible way Timothy chandler does not start at RB over spector. I also like to see Tim ream with Oguchi. and Bryan is a def no go, He never played for the Nats, so how can he be included here, I would put Torres or Jones instead..
I love Gatt an Deuce at wings…
Is Chandler a better player than Spector? Yes.
Did Spector possibly have a better 2011-12 season than Chandler? Yes.
I hope Bryan Gerzicich, Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona (Israel), is somewhat of a joke. I like he had a great season but that should get him an honorable mention. Bundesdilag squads are always deep in Europa and Champs League. This is being mocked by Gerzicich.
Champ league Jermaine Jones, bundesliga Danny, Williams, Chandler and Mayor of Hanover ??? Bundesliga staters are not mentioned.
Edu is a better CDM then Gerzicich, NO CREDIT for shutting out Italy.
Howard/Friedel
MayorDolo, Timmy Chandler, Eric Licha
Gatt, Spector, Gerzicich don’t belong, they are Honable Mentions
Spector was dumped by West Ham, they still are fighting for promotion, and are better without him. How is this over Chandler?? Don’t say cuz Chandler plays up Chandler can’t help his versatile.
Edu plays Ironman again in front of 40k home fans and no love??
I disagree with Sacha Kljestan but his club is legit.
I figured out the puzzle. Gatt is throwing everything off. He had to force Gatt on the field.
Howard/Friedal
RB: MayorDolo, Lichahj, Danny Williams, Morales, Spector
CB: Boca, Gooch, Parkhurt, Rheam, Goodson, MLS star
LB: Johnson, Chandler, Lichahj,
CDM: J. Jones, Edu, Danny Williams, Michael Bradley, Rheam
CM/LM/RM/CAM/CF/ST Dempsey, Altidore, Mix, Kljestan, Timmy Chandler, Landon
Gatt doesn’ t fit in, he would be the only non Danish Scandinavian club. You let him in you let Ricardo Clark in.
No way Spector makes it, his team signed him to make promotion and they failed, makes him a 2nd year Championship player. That’s junior to any Bundesliga staters.
Edu come on Rangers still finish 2nd, and French teams placed bids for Edu.
Gatt has great potential but Mix was awarded a transfer, they wait and see what happens in early Champs/Europa but I bet Bundesliga teams will place ahead of any Scandinavia or any 2nd rate league.
I like the list a lot.
To Gregory–it isn’t about who is the best player, but who had the best season with their club.
Yep, Trent. I should have clarified that in the post for newer readers— the OT XI is our attempt to evaluate players based on how they performed in their respective leagues (with a preference for first team players). In the past, we’ve had guys like Matt Taylor (3. Liga last year) and Ryan Guy (League of Ireland and now an MLS sub type player) honored.
More than half of this OT XI will be playing in European competition next season. In fact, pretty sure 6 of them will be playing Champion’s League football.
I don’t know, but that Crest is sweet!