Yanks in Europe: Goodson MOTM, Edu Goes Down

There were a couple of Wednesday matches featuring USMNT players, so here's a run down of how everyone fared:

In Norway (I think this is the first time I've ever started off a Yanks in Europe post there), Clarence Goodson got the start for IK Start and played all 90 minutes in their 1-1 draw with Odd Grenland.  Goodson's strong play against 6'6'' Hungarian striker Peter Kovacs earned him Man of the Match honors.  You can see a post-match interview with the USMNT center back here.  Goodson and the rest of the Start back line haven't had too much help from their midfield thus far this season, but he continues to be a key player in their six game unbeaten run.

Elsewhere, American goalies squared off at Villa Park, as Tim Howard and Everton traveled to take on Brad Friedel and Aston Villa.  Howard made a couple of quality saves early on to preserve a 1-0 Toffees lead, but he was unable to do much to keep a Gabriel Agbonlahor header in the 72nd minute from levelling the score.  With his side up 2-1 late in the match, teammate Phil Jagielka put one towards Howard's goal.  Timmy was able to get a hand to it, but unable to keep it out of the net, and judging by his reaction, he probably wishes he had that one back.  That let down aside, Howard finished with three saves, as the Toffees fail to gain ground in the chase for a final European spot. 

In Scotland, Maurice Edu once again got the start for Rangers, who drew 0-0 at Dundee United.  Edu had a decent performance in what was a fairly boring game.  I wouldn't have had much else to say were it not for Edu going down in the 90th minute after taking a kick to his calf, requiring a substitution.  He managed to walk off the field under his own power (though a little gingerly, shaking his head with frustration along the way), so it very well could have been nothing more than a cramp (which is what Yanks Abroad is now reporting).  Not to incite panic, but it could also be more.  Either way, it's just adding to the premature aging that we've all undergone the past couple of months with the USMNT's injury carousel.  Should this have significant World Cup implications, I'll be sure to update this post (or put up a new one if it merits it) as soon as I hear anything.  For now, though, we're just going to go with the cramp diagnosis.

DaMarcus Beasley, meanwhile, was not in the match day squad for this one.  Were it not for his strong showing against the Netherlands, Beasley's World Cup dreams might have been over thanks to the little playing time he has earned at Ibrox since then.  But that performance will not be quickly forgotten by Bob Bradley, so I still see Beasley in the picture for South Africa (though Alejandro Bedoya may have passed him on the depth chart already).

Last, some good news out of Denmark, as Benny Feilhaber started and played 90 minutes for AGF Aarhus in their 1-0 loss to FC Midtjylland.  He picked up a yellow card in the loss, but what really matters is that he appears to be back to full health.  In this interview from the Aarhus website (filmed before the match), Benny talks about his recovery, how he's feeling, and his Danish.

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