Yanks in Europe: Bocanegra Scores the Game-Winner

What defensive miscues are to Jonathan Bornstein, Yanks in Europe posts are to Saturdays (or something like that).  Enjoy:

Jonathan Spector started and went 90 minutes for West Ham in their 2-1 loss to Bolton.  Spector was not at fault on either Bolton goal, and he did a decent job containing Chung-Yong Lee on the wing.  He got forward on a few occasions and whipped in a dangerous cross, but these offensive contributions came to nothing.  All in all, it was a game where you didn't hear Spector's name called too much, but when you did, it was because he was making a timely clearance or tackle.  In comparison to his teammates in the back line, who committed some errors on the Bolton goals, Spector was solid.

In the Championship, Jay DeMerit went the distance in Watford's 2-0 loss to Derby County.  Unfortunately, he was involved in a goal allowed once again, as he slipped while trying to take care of a long ball, allowing an opposing striker to take the loose ball in on goal and double the Derby lead.  Frank Simek, meanwhile, came on as a halftime substitute for Sheffield Wednesday in their match against Leicester City.  He did his part to preserve a clean sheet victory, and he may be in line for more minutes in the near future, as he was brought on due to an injury to RB Tommy Spurr.

Marcus Hahnemann and Wolves faced a tall task as they played host to Manchester United this afternoon.  Hahnemann made three saves on the day and was close to earning a clean sheet and a crucial point in the relegation battle, but a poor clearance in the 73rd minute by one of his defenders sent the ball right to Paul Scholes' feet inside the box.  The Manchester United midfielder made no mistake, burying the open shot from 7 yards out past a helpless Hahnemann to give the visitors a 1-0 victory.

In France, Carlos Bocanegra continued his goalscoring ways by getting the slightest of touches on a 28th minute free kick to find the back of the net in Rennes' 1-0 win over Monaco.  Bocanegra did very well in the attack on the day, nearly scoring on a cross from the wing and putting a header wide in the second half.  He got the job done on the defensive end, as well, doing his part in the shutout.  All in all, a good day at LB for Bocanegra, who was the lone Yank in Europe to get on the score sheet on a busy Saturday.  This solid showing will only enforce the belief that he should line up at that position with the national team for the World Cup. 

DaMarcus Beasley picked up where he left off with the USMNT, turning in another strong performance on the wing in a start for Rangers against St. Mirren this morning.  Beasley drew numerous fouls in the attacking third and was very lively on the wing, providing width to the Rangers attack.  He nearly scored early in the second half, but his header hit the post.  Beasley was taken off in the 64th minute, with Maurice Edu entering the game at the same time.  Edu was solid in the middle, with some good one touch passing and defensive work.  He was composed in the midfield, helping secure what would finish as a 3-1 victory for his team.

In Germany, Michael Bradley started at CM in Borussia Monchengladbach's match against Borussia Dortmund.  It was a rough game for the US international and BMG, as Dortmund controlled the match.  Bradley's touch was not at its best, though he did have a couple of nice passes in the attacking end.  He earned a yellow in the 50th minute for what seemed like an aggressive but controlled, legal tackle.  He was also guilty of a little overzealous defending in the second half when he lunged in aggressively at Mohamed Zidan at the edge of the 18.  The Dortmund player made a simple cut central, leaving Bradley behind before lashing a left-footed shot into the back of the net.  Bradley was substituted off soon thereafter (the 64th minute, to be exact), capping off a sub-par performance by his standards. 

Elsewhere, Steve Cherundolo returned to the field for Hannover after several weeks on the sidelines due to a shoulder injury.  He came on in the 79th minute and helped preserve a 2-1 win victory over Freiburg.  While he didn't do anything overly remarkable in that time, USMNT fans will just be glad that he is healthy and playing once again.

Last, but not least, Eddie Johnson came on as a sub in the 80th minute Aris' match with Kavala.  He was very active up front and made some good runs in the attacking half, but he and his teammates were unable to find a goal, as the match finished in a 1-1 draw.

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Injured/Did Not Play

Gale Agbossoumonde (unused substitute)
Stuart Holden (broken leg)
Charlie Davies (multiple injuries)
Oguchi Onyewu (knee injury)
Clint Dempsey (knee injury)
Freddy Adu (unused substitute)
Ricardo Clark (unused substitute)

As I said on Twitter yesterday, it's a great sign of progress that Agbossoumonde, at just 18 years old, got called into the match day squad for a title contender.
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