Ives Galarcep @SoccerByIves Jozy Altidore breaks his recent Dutch League goal drought to give AZ Alkmaar a 1-0 lead on FC Zwolle just TWO minutes into today's match.
U.S. Soccer @ussoccer #USMNT forward @JozyAltidore is on the board twice for @wwwAZnl, as they lead 2-1 against Zwolle
Jozy's goals http://www.soccerbyives.net/2012/12/altidore-ends-drought-scores-twice-to-lift-az-to-victory.html American's Abroad weekend rewind http://www.soccerbyives.net/2012/12/americans-abroad-weekend-rewind-55.html
Postcard from Europe: Who could make a January move? DECEMBER 12, 2012 Greg Seltzer MLSsoccer.com Getty Images AMSTERDAM – As most European leagues head into their holiday slumber, thoughts are dancing in the heads of those in need of an talent influx via the transfer market. Of course, it wouldn't be a winter window without several Americans potentially up for acquisition. We're here to cut through the silly season barrage so you have an early warning on who will actually be picking up stakes in January. Jozy Altidore The AZ Alkmaar hit man (right) has drawn plenty of scouts by scoring 23 goals so far this year, the top total from Americans playing in European top flights. While it's conceivable someone could make Earnie Stewart an offer he can't refuse, a source told MLSsoccer.com it's most likely Altidore is sold at season's end. The club already rejected sizable offers from Rubin Kazan and Sporting CP this past summer. Fiorentina, though, may be one to watch; they've been out to see the power forward a number of times and very well could wave goodbye to their top two scorers in June. Alejandro Bedoya The US midfielder is out of contract with Helsingborg, who have put an extension offer on the table. Meanwhile, MLSsoccer.com has learned that Swedish champs Elfsborg are trying to lure him away. Bedoya also has a few admirers on the continent, but none has made a serious approach to date. John Anthony Brooks The 19-year-old has put in string of strong displays since breaking into the Hertha Berlin backline, drawing reported interest from the likes of Eintracht Frankfurt and Stuttgart. Unsurprisingly, sources told MLSsoccer.com that the Old Lady has been running onto the porch with a shotgun every time a suitor approaches. Steve Clark As one might imagine, being named goalkeeper of the year by official Tippeligaen broadcaster TV2 has gained the Hønefoss man some offseason attention. However, none of it is so enticing as to pull him away from the final year of his contract. Or as HBK manager Leif Gunnar succinctly told Norwegian paper Ringerikes Blad, "There is no one who can afford to get him." Mikkel Diskerud Rosenborg have already submitted an extension offer for the free agent midfielder (right), but they have some competition from abroad. The man known as Mix already had fans in the Low Land countries before a standout half-season with the Troll Kids. Austrian outlet Krone reported on Wednesday that Rapid Vienna have joined the race at the suggestion of USMNT assistant coach Andreas Herzog. Of course, the Green-Whites got two good looks at Diskerud during Europa League group-stage play. Brad Friedel Having now apparently lost the top job to Hugo Lloris, the veteran Tottenham Hotspur backstop is most prominently being linked with a return to Blackburn. Southampton have also been mentioned as a possible suitor. Nevertheless, Friedel recently stated that he's content playing out the last half-season of his deal at Spurs and our sensors have yet to detect signs of life in these rumors. Clarence Goodson There's been some chatter in Denmark that the Brøndby captain – who was recently benched for three games – was pondering a return home to America. However, sources close to the defender told MLSsoccer.com that this is not the case. In fact, Goodson has some interest over on the continent, where he's wanted to end up all along. Ryan Miller The free-agent right back is still weighing a return to promoted Halmstad against offers from the German second and third flights. Miller also has interest in MLS, but his agent recently stated that the defender prefers staying in Europe at this time. Conor O'Brien Fresh off a top-shelf season with SønderjyskE, the central midfielder is also a winter freebie. As previously reported by MLSsoccer.com, O'Brien has been the target of serious overtures from two clubs up the food chain in Denmark, plus one each in Belgium and the Netherlands. On Wednesday, his agent told Danish outlet Bold that O'Brien had rejected one of the Danish bidders and one foreign club. He is scheduled to meet with the two teams left holding auction paddles next week. Michael Parkhurst The FC Nordsjælland right back (right) has whipped up a small free-agent feeding frenzy with his Champions League group-stage performances. And with the interest coming out of the four biggest leagues, the Wild Tigers know he's leaving. MLSsoccer.com has learned that Parkhurst is being courted by relegation fighters in the Bundesliga and Serie A, as well as one team in both the EPL and La Liga. He also has some second-division interest in those countries, so this scene could take a while to play out.
Jozy's nice Dutch Cup goal today: http://eredivisielive.nl/video/102947-piero-altidore-koelbloedig-met-afwerken.html
Good move for Parkhurst. If he impresses and Augsburg do get relegated, I'm sure another Bundesliga team would come in for him.
I have heard that one but I probably hear Lux Luthor the most. The Roma announcer has called him that multiple times.
wow gotta feel for Guzan after that...his backline, which was solid the past 10 or so games got thrased by chelsea...lichaj didn't do all that bad Clark and Bennett got shredded
Holden closer to return to action for Bolton Posted on December 29, 2012 by Ives Galarcep By IVES GALARCEP It has been 15 months since Stuart Holden suffered the knee injury that sidelined him and derailed his playing career, but he is starting to draw closer to a comeback. Holden played more than 60 minutes in a recent indoor game for Bolton and came through with no setbacks, leaving Bolton manager Dougie Freedman confident that Holden could be back playing with the first team in less than a month. “We had an indoor game last week against Wigan in which Stuart played 60- 70 minutes. He played very well and came through it,” Freedman told the Bolton News. “He probably needs another two or three behind-closed doors games, but hopefully he will be ready by the middle of January. “It is difficult but we are doing our best to squeeze games in.” Holden has struggled to recover from the knee injury suffered on March 19th, 2011 when Johnny Evans delivered a studs-up tackle that caused major damage. He was forced to undergo multiple surgeries, and more than a year on the sidelines, but he looks ready to return to action for the Trotters. “The plan is that he is back by the end of the month and then I don’t have to go and get a central midfielder in,” Freedman added.
if he's even 75% of what he was he's starting for us in 2014... he was downright dominating in the EPL before he got hurt
Jurgen def likes him a lot, he was actually at the game where Stu came back and reinjured himself in earlier this year Obviously with serious injuries like these you never know if they can come back but at least Holden isn't a player like Davies who greatly relied on his speed. If he can come back and play the second half of this season he could def work his way into the national team by the summer if not sooner. If he's close to old form of course
ESPN.com: US National Soccer [Print without images] Monday, December 31, 2012 The 2012 U.S. National Team Awards Spoiler In the final day of 2012, it's a good time dole out some year-end awards -- based on performance with the national team to the most deserving U.S. players. Most Valuable Player: Michael Bradley No surprise here after Bradley headlined our recent ranking of the Top 25 American players. In fairness, Clint Dempsey's spectacular goal-scoring record in 2012 could make him co-MVP. But Bradley's value to the U.S. team was underscored when he missed two September qualifiers, including a road loss in Jamaica. Before and after those games, Bradley established himself as the Yanks' most indispensible, irreplaceable player, and the future U.S. captain became more of a leader on and off the field along the way. He adapted to different roles seamlessly and added improved playmaking and scoring ability (see below) to his already sound defensive game. And at 25, Bradley could have a stranglehold on this award for years to come. Rookie of the Year: Graham Zusi Terrence Boyd received consideration for this award, open to any player who earned his first senior team cap in 2012. Boyd made seven appearances this year -- including minutes against top-10 teams Italy, Brazil and Russia -- but it's hard to argue against Zusi. The Sporting Kansas City midfielder scored a game-winning goal in Panama in just his second international appearance, and when he had a chance to start for the first team in a World Cup qualifier against Jamaica in September, he took full advantage. With Landon Donovan still nursing an injury, Zusi, 26, remained in the U.S. lineup for the Yanks' final three qualifiers, in which he proved a capable understudy to the Americans' career scoring leader. Most Improved Player: Geoff Cameron Cameron's eight-month rise from January camp to automatic first-team starter was nothing short of astonishing. The Rhode Island product had made only one U.S. appearance entering 2012, and it's not as if Camp Cupcake went perfectly; Cameron was sent off in the B-squad's 1-0 win in Panama. But Cameron, a dedicated student of the game, did enough to impress Jurgen Klinsmann with his intelligence and work ethic, earning him a February trip to Italy, then an invite to the May camp. Spending time with the varsity helped Cameron continue to improve. In June, he passed the ultimate test after coming off the bench in a road qualifier in Guatemala. The 27-year-old went on to start the final six matches of the year. His club career in Europe in the Prem is also flourishing. Comeback Player of the Year: Eddie Johnson Johnson won the MLS version of this award in 2012, and he's even more deserving of it with the national team. The athletic striker first burst onto the senior team scene way back in 2004, scoring five goals in his first three games. He made the World Cup squad in 2006 but had just three goals in 23 games for the Yanks from 2007 to 2010. In 2011, he wasn't called in at all. But Johnson parlayed a strong 2012 season with the Seattle Sounders into an invite from Klinsmann -- who cited EJ's aerial ability -- for a pair of crucial World Cup qualifiers in October. Not only did Johnson's two headed goals in Antigua (including the stoppage-time winner) make the coach look smart, they also eased the pressure on the Americans considerably entering their final qualifier against Guatemala, which EJ also started. Needless to say, Johnson heads into 2013 firmly in Klinsmann's plans. Golden Boot: Clint Dempsey There can be no debate about this award. Dempsey led all U.S. players with six goals in 2012, double the number of his closest challengers. (Landon Donovan and Herculez Gomez had three goals each.) The efficiency and timeliness of Dempsey's finishing was even more impressive; Deuce averaged a goal every 126 minutes in 2012, the best scoring rate for an American with at least nine appearances since Donovan netted a goal every 106 minutes in 2007. Five of Dempsey's tallies this year came in World Cup qualifying matches; the other was the game winner in February's historic friendly victory in Italy. Save of the Year: Tim Howard vs. Mexico (Aug. 15) The Yanks don't beat archrival El Tri -- and end a 25-match winless streak south of the border in the process -- if the U.S. keeper doesn't make two key saves on Manchester United striker Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez inside the final 10 minutes. Howard's first stop was particularly impressive. Hernandez pounced on a poor clearance inside the 18-yard box and sent a shot toward Howard's right, but the ball deflected off U.S defender Fabian Johnson and headed toward the goalie's left. Somehow Howard was able to change direction mid-dive, scrambling back to prevent the ball from crossing the line. In a season of superhuman saves by Howard, this one was almost certainly his best, and most timely. Goal of the Year: Michael Bradley vs. Russia (Nov. 14) Deciding between the goal Bradley scored in Krasnodar in November and the one he hit against Scotland back in May isn't easy. There's no question that both were spectacular. But since we have to choose, the strike against Russia takes the prize, if only because it came against a tougher opponent, on the road, from a full volley. Assist of the Year: Jozy Altidore and Fabian Johnson vs. Italy (Feb. 29) A well-worked goal is a thing of beauty, and assists don't come much prettier than the ones Johnson and Altidore picked up on Dempsey's game-winner in Genoa. After Bradley got the ball out wide, Johnson's cross from the left found Altidore posted up near the Azzurri's penalty spot. With his back to goal, Altidore held off his defender and found Dempsey, who coolly slotted past all-world Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon with an against-the-grain shot. A nice goal to be sure -- but it can't happen without the setup.
He had already played for the "senior team" of Houston Dynamo. I guess it's anyone who made their first career professional start in 2012. Zusi's starting on KC plus his impact on the USMNT squad made him a shoe-in.
LOL at this ever happening (especially for $5 million): http://thefootballmagazine.com/2013/01/02/wenger-keen-on-sapong/ Wenger Keen On Sapong Posted about 3 days ago | 1 comment Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is tonight mulling over a move for Kansas City forward C.J Sapong. Sapong was the 2011 rookie of the year in the MLS and scored nine times last season. He will be a surprise choice for many Arsenal fans but, at 6ft 1in and with pace to burn Sapong could prove useful as the gunners look to make up ground on the top three. A fee of £3million has been agreed with personal terms to be sorted out later this week
Holden went 65 mins...good sign...also apparently had a decent first half, "looked fit" and was "running the show" http://www.lionofviennasuite.com/20...-in-reserve-start-with-photo-bolton-wanderers
Since we are still a year and a half out, anyone confident Holden can work his way back to WC status? Guess its just nice to see him playing again after all that time out
He's def got the time if he can stay away from another injury. Again no one knows if he'll ever be able to get back to his old form but even 75% of that warrants a spot in Brazil. Maybe by the end of qualifying in the fall he'll be close enough to his old self to be called in. I'd like to se him play in gold cup this summer if he's fit enough.
wow Brian Sciaretta @BrianSciaretta Bolton manager hints Stuart Holden could make his first-team comeback in next Tuesday's FA Cup replay at Sunderlandhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/20968571 … http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/20968571 also US U18 midfielder @ZachPfeffer_27 continues his hot start on his Hoffenheim loan. Scores 2nd goal in 2nd game for club's U19 team.
good team (if he gets PT) but not so great competition...think its a good move though since he's still young
will be interesting to follow with Agudelo. we were looking at adding one young attacking piece (Rogic from Australia seemed to be the front leader); if it's Agudelo, just not sure how much time he will get with Samaras, Hooper, Watt, Forrest, and a few others (some of whom are injured, on loan, or about to be out the door) being options at wing or up top. even if we sell Hooper at the end of year (possible but not necessary with the CL money we have), he'll have some competition for PT if he comes.
from what we've been told, it's completely . Lennon is very keen on seeing what we can do versus Juve and he wouldn't sell Hooper now. his value will still be relatively high this summer.