Yanks in Europe: Relegation Battles

I'm getting ready to head out to the Philadelphia Union home opener, but I made some time to update you on how some Yanks in Europe fared today and yesterday.  Enjoy.

Yesterday, Michael Bradley played 90 minutes in Borussia Monchengladbach's 2-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.  Bradley had a good first half, helping set up BMG's opening goal in the 6th minute with a well-weighted short ball over the defense to Raul Bobadilla, whose chip over the keeper was nodded home by Marco Reus at the back post.  Later on, Bradley forced the Frankfurt keeper to make a nice diving save when he drove a low hard free kick on goal from 25 yards out.  Here's the goal:



Other than those moments, it was a fairly quiet match for Bradley, who helped maintain possession and defend in the second half after BMG opened up a two goal lead ten minutes after the break.  All in all, it was a solid game; nothing too remarkable, but contributions nonetheless.

Ricardo Clark, meanwhile, did not get off the bench once again.  However, the lackluster showings from Frankfurt's center midfielders and the loss just might be what finally gets Rico some minutes.  To this point, Frankfurt had been riding high, so a change in the lineup was unlikely, but now that they've dropped a match in a pretty unimpressive fashion, the former Dynamo star could finally make his debut.  It's part wishful thinking, part logic and analysis, but all a definite possibility at this point.

Elsewhere in Germany, Steve Cherundolo started and played 90 minutes at RB for Hannover in their shock 4-2 victory over title contenders Schalke.  Cherundolo had some nice moments getting forward into the attack, helping his side to a crucial win that suddenly gives them a lot more hope in their quest to at worst earn a 16th place finish and try their luck in a relegation playoff.

In England, Jozy Altidore started and played 90 minutes in Hull's crucial six-pointer against Burnley.  He made an impact right away, getting behind the defense with a well timed run and picking out a teammate at the first post with an accurate lofted ball to the back post:




Ultimately, however, Hull would collapse and drop a very disappointing 4-1 decision at home.  Altidore, however, was one of the few bright spots on the day, playing with some flair, confidence, and energy in the final third.  A pivotal point in the match occurred in the 30th minute when a short range Altidore shot was stopped by the face of an oncoming Brian Jensen.  Just minutes later, Burnley leveled the score, and it was all down hill from there.  Jozy's very nice first half was then capped off by a silly yellow card for some unsporting behavior.  His second half wasn't quite as successful, but overall Altidore played pretty well in comparison to the rest of his team.  After a match like today's, I'm just glad Jozy's stint at Hull is nothing more than a loan, because it looks like the Tigers are heading down (and it's hard to argue that they don't deserve it). 

Jay DeMerit started and played 90 minutes for Watford today in their match against Plymouth Argyle.  The Hornets were able to maintain a clean sheet, thanks in part to DeMerit's play at the back, eventually securing a 1-0 victory that gives them a little bit of breathing room in the Championship relegation battle.

Jonathan Spector started at LB for West Ham and went the distance in their much needed 1-0 victory over Sunderland today.  The three points pushes the Hammers out of the relegation zone, four points clear of 18th place Burnley.  Spector did well in the attack on the day, with some productive ventures forward.  He also did much better in the defensive end this time around, after last week's rough outing (though that isn't saying too much).  Though it wasn't perfect, Spector and the rest of the Hammers will be happy with how today's match turned out. 

Aarhus and Aalborg squared off in Denmark in a match brought to you by the letter "A".  Benny Feilhaber started on the bench, coming on in the 57th minute with his side trailing 1-0.  He had a bright moment right after coming on, flashing a dangerous ball across the face of goal, but he struggled to make much of an impact in his time on thanks to a lot of sloppy play from his teammates.  Meanwhile, former Chicago Fire player Chris Rolfe set up the opening goal for Aalborg, who eventually added another en route to a 2-0 win. 

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Injured/Did Not Play

Brad Guzan (unused substitute)
Frank Simek (unused substitute)
Ricardo Clark (unused substitute)
Charlie Davies (multiple injuries)
Carlos Bocanegra (minor injury; rest)

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