Americans Abroad: Weekend Rewind

Michael Bradley is at it again.

The young midfielder scored yet another goal for Heerenveen and added even more transfer value for the line of European clubs surely sizing him up for a potential transfer move.

It was a good weekend for Americans in Europe in terms of playing time, if not results. Derby County and Fulham both lost again, putting the EPL fate of a half dozen Americans at risk as both clubs sit in the relegation zone.

No such worries for Jonathan Spector (pictured), who continues to hold on to his place for West Ham United.

Danny Szetela still hasn't seen league action for Racing de Santander but the young midfielder did make the bench and there is a possibility he could be gearing up for a loan move.

Here is how all the Americans did in the European top flight this weekend:

ENGLAND

Tim Howard started, played 90 minutes and made three saves in Everton's 1-0 win against Manchester City on Saturday.

Marcus Hahnemann started, played 90 minutes, made 12 saves and drew a yellow card in Reading's 3-1 loss to Aston Villa on Saturday.

Bobby Convey came on as a substitute and played 17 minutes for Reading.

Jonathan Spector started and played 90 minutes in West Ham's 2-1 win against Fulham on Saturday.

Clint Dempsey started and played 90 minutes for Fulham.

Carlos Bocanegra started for Fulham but came out of the match in the 14th minute after suffering what looked like a concussion.

Brad Friedel started, played 90 minutes and made five saves in Blackburn's 2-1 win against Bolton on Sunday.

Eddie Lewis dressed but did not play in Derby Couny's 1-0 loss to Wigan on Saturday.

Benny Feilhaber did not dress for Derby County.

Jay DeMerit started and played 90 minutes in Watford's 1-0 loss to Preston North End on Saturday.

HOLLAND

Michael Bradley started, played 90 minutes and scored a goal in Heerenveen's 2-2 tie against FC Utrecht on Sunday.

PORTUGAL

Freddy Adu came on as a second-half substitute and played 11 minutes in Benfica's 0-0 tie with Leixoes on Saturday.

SPAIN

Danny Szetela dressed but did not play in Racing de Santander's 2-0 win vs. Osasuna on Sunday.

SCOTLAND

Andy Dorman came on as a second-half substitute and played 29 minutes in St. Mirren's 3-0 Scottish Cup victory against Dumbarton on Saturday. (Yes, I know, Dorman isn't American, but some people want to keep tabs so I'll add him this week)

You may have noticed that I left out Giuseppe Rossi, who scored a goal for Villarreal this weekend. I'm just tired of the weekly complaints and since nobody has been defending the inclusion I'll just leave him out from now on. Now, if some of you want him to stay in the updates just say so and I'll keep him there.

Share your thoughts on this weekend's performances below.

Comments

[Rob C]

Seriously Ives, keep Dorman in the Americans Abroad updates. You could even call it the "American Product" updates, since Dorman came from the college system and through MLS. Good player, great story.

[sublicon]

yeah ives, stop apologizing for dorman stuff. we want to know what's going on with him. he may be english, but he's also a player who came up through the us college system and got out of the mls. that, to me, is interesting.

[Lee]

Ives any info on the Feilhaber move (possible move)? Any rumors going around about Bradley?

[SeaOtter]

Ives,

Didn't know if you've had time to see this, but it appears as if both Feilhaber and Bornstein are exploring their Jewish heritage as they are both at Maccabi Tel Aviv (think that's right) looking at playing opportunites there.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/derby_county/7186725.stm

There are several threads going on BS right now with links to boot.

[scott]

What role has bradley been playing, is he still primarilly a defensive midfielder? It seems like he scores a lot for a defensive midfielder.

[noname]

If you're keeping track of Dorman, you might also want to mention another great MLSer doing well in EPL... Ryan Nelson at Blackburn.

[northzax]

but if he doesn't apologize, this entire comment thread will become another arguement about who is, and isn't 'american' enough to qualify. and where's the fun in that?

[Tim Crawford]

How 'bout Giuseppe Rossi scoring a PK?

[kpugs]

I could care less about Dorman, and to be honest I don't know why anyone else would care. Having said that, I don't give a crap who is included in this segment either, so why does every little thing always have to become some childish argument?

And Scott, Bradley basically plays center mid. He has never been a true "defensive midfielder" as you put it. That's the position he played in MLS and he plays mostly a holding role for the U.S., but look at the guys playing in front of him. That's the reason he plays there, but his skillset is that of an all around true center mid in the mold of a younger Claudio Reyna (before he decided he was no longer a true center midfieldre).

[kpugs]

P.S. Dempsey didn't score! His time in Europe is finished! Aaaahhhh!

[mike]

I thought Szetela chose Santander over other clubs because of the chance to play right away? Was he mislead, been dinged up, or just hasn't fit in with their plans?

[Mark]

I agree with the other posters that it'd be interesting to have another column about other MLS alums and how they're performing. Ryan Nelson, Dorman, Stern John, etc.

Maybe even drop in a few others from time to time like Joselito Vaca, SGR, Amado Guevara, Juan Pablo Garcia, the readers may have an interest in...

[Rene]

I agree with Rob and Sublicon, keep Dorman in this, he made it through our college system so it would be worthwhile to see how he does. Just like noname said, perhaps mentioning other MLS greats like Nelson would be interesting also.

[Dominghosa]

You don't need to include Rossi. I record Ole : La Liga every week anyway.

[CACuzcatlan]

Since you're are getting rid of Giuseppe "the American Owen Hargreaves" Rossi why not add Gabriel Ferrari to the list?

[Tom]

But Ives, you did mention Rossi. Actually he got more ink than most true blue loyal americans.

BTW I would continue to report his results. He may be able to pick his own national allegience but he's still from Jersey. That's what counts.

[LA Metro]

Here's a link to what SeaOtter was talking about regarding Bornstein's possible move to Maccabi Tel Aviv:

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/944286.html

[Zungazan]

I agree with others that this should remain "Americans Abroad" whilst also having a column titled "MLS Alums Update".

Also, I would agree that "Americans" should be described as fellows who proudly wear or would proudly wear the colors for the U.S.A. internationally. In other words, f**k Rossi.

[seven]

Ives, always err on the side of providing too much info rather than too little. Keep providing Rossi info & add notable performances by other CONCACAF players.

[Joe_in_ND]

Ives, do you think if Fulham are relegated that McBride and Dempsey will seek transfers?

[Tom in Newark]

So people are more interested in Dorman than Rossi? That makes zero sense.

[Kevin]

What position did Spector play was he CB or RB?

[Pat]

Ives

What have you heard about Feilhaber moving to Maccabi Tel Aviv? I know anywhere is better than sitting on the pine at Derby, but will playing in Isreal help or hurt his standing with the nat team?

[brentmcd]

Ditto what Zungazan said. When I read under this heading, I like to think of these guys wearing the USA shirt.

[bung]

For goodness sake, keep the Rossi info in! He's a footballer of note to US fans, that's for sure. If you think he's a traitor or something...well, just skip that part of the column!

[Paul Lorinczi]

I appreciate the Rossi updates. He is still a good forward that was born in Jersey.

Actually...his story is quite amazing considering he was a youth product here that has made it to the big time in Europe.

[James]

Yeah, Ives, I appreciate the postings on Rossi and I am still hopeful that he will see the light and play for the USA. Keep up the good work.

[VictorM]

As long as the section is "Americans Abroad" this is a no-brainer: leave out Dorman and include Rossi.

[Joamiq]

I agree with the commenter who said too much is better than too little (though I really only care about players with ties to the US, not all of CONCACAF). Maybe you could have a separate section for US college/MLS products (Dorman, Nelson, Guevara, etc.) and another for deserters (Rossi).

[Charlie N.]

kpugs--- drinkin' the haterade

[Dave]

I actually do not mind the Rossie Updates. I also wonder, how serious is the Italian Nat'l team in trying to cap Rossi?

[TK]

Rossi has said in numerous occassions.
Numerous. Numerous. Numerous.

That he considers himself Italian.
He wants to play for them.

He is on their radar. He is playing for Italy.

At least this stupidity will be over in a month when it becomes official.

I consider the likes of Nelson and Dorman more American than Rossi.

Amusing part is he barely spends any time in Italy and his teammates on the Italian Nats youth teams call him the American, Mr. USA and America. They don't consider him Italian.

The teams much better than ours though, so there you go.

[Moneyball]

Rossi stays. I've found it just as easy to ignore the comments of Rossi dissenters as I'd imagine they'd find it to ignore what Ives writes about Rossi.

[hoya]

Ives,

Can we here some more about this possible loan move for Szetela or was that pure speculation? Also that article about the Feilhaber rumor seemed like it was reporting the deal as being definite, is this the case?

[TK]

Moneyball,

Don't know if that comment was for me, probably for all others, but I don't care if he is on here. What's the big deal.

I was just pointing out he irony.

Jersey kid, considers himself Italian, barely spends any time at all there, isn't considered a real Italian by most of his mates, playing for Italy.

Amusing. He is good enough and he can actually, you know, win a cup for Italy so the choice is understandable. Happens a lot.

We have a lot of players with Carribian heritage that choose the US for the same reasons.

Nery Castillo chose Mexico because they were guaranteed WC qualification, it's program is on the way up (compared to Uruguay and Greece) and it has big money. All of a sudden he feels more Mexican. I bet if he was eligble for Italy, instead of Greece, he would have felt more Italian over Mexican I would wager.

Just the way it is. Just like the old tired line "it's not about the money" when 99% of the time the player just happens to choose the best money offer. Surprise! It just happens to be the best choice besides the money too (wink, wink, nudge, nudge).

Hope Rossi gets what he wants out of life, but if he isn't in a Yank uni, then being from Jersey and being on the Italain Nats is a HUGE MINUS! He he.

[Moneyball]

TK, it wasn't specifically at you. I actually respect your logical and well thought-out perspective on the whole matter.

I just think it's ridiculous that people continue to make a stink anytime Rossi's name is mentioned. OK, so you select people don't personally care about him, we get that. But Ives doesn't write his blog just for you. If you'd rather not read about Mr. Rossi, then quietly skip over anything about him.

Unless you take your case to Washington and have his citizenship revoked, I'd rather everyone leave the issue alone.

[TK]

Won't happen because he is that good. That's why it makes so many that angry.

We need players like him and they know it, and I do also, but unfortunately I understand the reality of the world and how it works.

That's why the anger will not subside, or the unrealistic hope that he will "come to his senses" any time soon.

Still Italian Jersey kid not playing for us. That I can dislike! Hehe.

[Adam]

I'm happy to hear about Dorman, as well as any ex-MLSer in the Americans abroad section, as it is good to see what they're up to.

Also, if you ever get the scoop on what the hell happened that made him fall out of form with the Revs, I'd love to hear it.

[Joe B]

Please continue with Rossi reports.....

[Henrik]

Let Rossi stay.. He's American whoever he plays for.. Ives is from Jersey, Rossi is from Jersey and the blog has "a Jersey flavor" It would be betraying the purpose of the blog not writing about Rossi. If you hate Rossi wanting to play for Italy, then hate Adu for playing for the US..

[Dannyc58]

Kevin,

Spector played Right Back for Lucas Neill.

[Steve]

Keep the traitor in. It's interesting to hear about him.

[irishapple21]

Thank you for excluding Rossi. That traitor is not an American, no matter where he happens to have been born.

[hoya]

Enough with all the Rossi talk it is what it is, get over it.

Anyone know anything about this Maccabi Tel Aviv club Feilhaber is rumored to be going to? What kind of PT can he expect there? Hows the level of play in the league? IMO as long as hes getting on the field anythings better than Derby.

[Yo]

Who is this Rossi?

[Adam]

Keep Benedict Arnold Rossi in the column. It is always interesting to see how he is doing. Regardless of him picking the Italians, he is still from America. Keep out Dorman. This is "Americans Abroad." Not Americans and Former MLSers abroad.

[Justin O]

Has Rossi renounced his citizenship, or just said he would rather play for the Italian soccer team? If it's only the latter, then keep the updates.

If some people really can't see the difference between those 2, then they really need to get over themselves.

[Ted]

To my knowledge Rossi never renounced his citizenship. He happens to qualify as an Italian citizen through his parents.

Keep him in the picture. He is still American, and more importantly, of interest to your readers.

I also agree on an 'MLS Alums' section.

As for Feilhaber and Bornstein, Tel Aviv is a decent club, consistently playing in the qualifying rounds of European competitions. I'd put the league on the same level as Austria's or Croatia's. It will be a good place to get noticed.

[Keith]

Rossi is an American and should be included in this column.

[Tim]

The horse is mostly dead, but Rossi who? Drop him. He's "Italian" and intends on playing for the Azurri. It's not even like one of the German-military-base births where the citizenship is even more complicated. He was born here but chose to go elsewhere. Hi choice was the be "Italian". Therefore, all the Italian calcio blogs can discuss their potential man Rossi, and this blog can discuss Americans who play abroad.

As for former MLS players, seems like that would belong in a "former MLS abroad" column.

[bclvferx gzukie]

ltqzfpo gyihfb hdfper oxslazbfi kycdsl qzniacjdk xgefurn