Yanks in Europe: Draws Galore

I hope you have been enjoying some Boxing Day EPL action. If you missed out on any of the games featuring USMNT players, here's a brief run-down on how they are doing this morning.

English Premier League

-Clint Dempsey went 90 minutes in Fulham's 0-0 draw with Tottenham. Dempsey smashed a rocket of a freekick off the bar from 30 yards out, and also created a few other scoring opportunities throughout the match, once again playing an integral role in the Cottagers' attack. He also did well defensively, working with Paul Konchesky on the left side to stifle Aaron Lennon's attacking efforts. Eddie Johnson, meanwhile, was once again not in the matchday squad.

-Tim Howard made 3 saves in Everton's 1-1 road draw with Sunderland. The Toffees went behind early after an unmarked Darren Bent headed past a helpless Howard from 7 yards out in the 17th minute. The Toffees managed to hold Sunderland for the rest of the match before eventually bagging an equalizer in the 85th minute to secure a point.

-Jonathan Spector was once more an unused substitute, as West Ham defeated Portsmouth at Upton Park by a score of 2-0. Manager Gianfranco Zola gave the starting nod at right back to Julien Faubert, who has been Spector's main competition for playing time all season.

-It was a tale of two halves for Marcus Hahnemann and Wolverhampton in their match against Liverpool. Wolves were able to keep the hosts off the scoresheet in the opening 45, aided by two quality Hahnemann saves to deny Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson. Early in the second half, however, Wolves were reduced to 10 men, and they could not withstand the offensive onslaught much longer after that point. Steven Gerrard thumped home a header from 7 yards out, and Yossi Benayoun's shot off a Wolves defender found the back of the net. Hahnemann could do little about either goal, which gave Liverpool a 2-0 lead that would end up being the final result. The former Reading goalkeeper finished the match with 6 saves in total.


English Championship

-Jay DeMerit started and played 90 minutes in Watford's home draw with 3rd place Nottingham Forest, anchoring the backline in what ended up being a scoreless match. It is Watford's first clean sheet since the Wisconsin native returned to the lineup early in December after three months on the sidelines.