Yanks in Europe: Spector Back, Deuce Hurt

Sunday wasn't a busy day for USMNT players in Europe, with only 3 in action, but there are some newsworthy tidbits worth bringing up.

First, after an extended absence from the West Ham lineup, Jonathan Spector got the start at left back today, as the Hammers traveled to Villa Park. Gianfranco Zola's men managed to hold sixth place Aston Villa to a 0-0 draw, with Spector playing all 90 minutes. Though he did have a tall task in marking Ashley Young and, on set pieces, Emile Heskey, Spector did his part in preserving the clean sheet and stifling the Villa attack. He also got forward on a couple of occasions, though neither side really got much in the way of offense going throughout the match. The result of which pushes West Ham out of the drop zone, and USMNT fans will be pleased to see Spector back in the lineup.

Elsewhere in England, Clint Dempsey and Fulham dropped a 2-0 decision to Blackburn at Ewood Park. Dempsey played at striker and, as hard as it seems, came very close to topping his golazo from Fulham's last match. In the first half, Dempsey received a free kick with his chest and attempted an audacious bicycle kick, but the shot smashed off the crossbar. It's incredible how often Clint comes just inches away from scoring a spectacular goal; he very well could have twice as many goals this season with a little better luck.

Later in the opening act, Dempsey did very well receiving a pass inside the box, as a quick, clever turn freed him from a defender, but his short range effort went right into the hands of Paul Robinson. Despite not getting on the score sheet, though, Dempsey had a strong half up top, which will only fuel the calls to move him up to striker from USMNT fans.

Unfortunately, the loss wasn't the only bad news for Dempsey on the day. Early in the second half, Dempsey went down with an apparent knee injury. I'll have to admit that I did not see the second half of this match, but from what I have heard, it looked like a non-contact injury, which is worrying, to say the least. Dempsey immediately signaled to be subbed off, but he did not appear to be in agonizing pain, and he was able to get off the field under his own strength. He was taken to a hospital for a scan, with the severity of the injury still unknown.

After the match, however, Roy Hodgson had this to say: "The initial prognosis for Clint is not good...It looks like cruciate knee ligament damage and if it is it will keep him out for a while." Not exactly the kind of thing that USMNT fans will want to hear.

Last, but not least, Eddie Johnson made his second appearance in Greece, coming on in the 80th minute of an eventual 1-0 win for Aris. With his team bunkering in to protect the lead, Eddie did not see the ball much, but he did win a couple of headers and help maintain possession. He got behind the Giannina defense on one occasion, but there was little he could do with a high bouncing ball and the keeper charging other than try a hopeful chip from outside the area, which went wide.

Freddy Adu looked set to enter the match early in the second half, as Aris pushed forward and looked to put the final nail in the coffin. A delay caused by several fans charging onto the field, however, took away Aris' momentum, and manager Hector Cuper opted for other players in an effort to protect the slim lead.