Yanks Abroad

Salgado is only 18. I saw him score his only MLS goal at Crew stadium. A really nice header. He was the top scorer in the MLS reserve league so considering that I'm not ready to call him a homeless man's Andy Carrol.

He is not progressing enough at Vancouver; I found it perplexing that they would not play him in first team games at the end of the season after they'd been eliminated from playoff contention. But this is the problem I mentioned in a previous thread about the MLS reserve schedule not being adequate. Next season we will have another Canadian expansion team who will likely take a promising American player as the overall first draft pick and then they will not have enough means or pressure from the Canadian fans to develop him properly. These expansion teams have to put all their emphasis and money on quickly becoming competitive that there is not enough left to develop players. To make matters worse, the top prospects are all Gen Adidas signings so they become very attractive to expansion teams. I think expansion teams should only get to pick Gen Adidas signings that have played at least two years of college.

 

Goals this weekend by Robbie Findley and Clarence Goodson.

Findley:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_KhI4Ul2gs[/youtube]

Goodson (1:40 mark)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEazq0SPiSY[/youtube]

 

Timmy Chandler scores (and with his left foot) this weekend -> http://www.socceroverthere.com/?p=7434

 

Also, Jonathan Spector and Michael Parkhurst both delivered game winning assists in the closing minutes of their respective games.

 

Brad Guzan came off the bench and played 50+ minutes after Shay Given picked up an injury in Villa's 1-0 loss to Manchester United.. Here is 15 minutes worth of highlights from that game -> http://www.socceroverthere.com/?p=7495

 

And in his first start, Guzan picked up a 2-1 victory at Bolton. Villa's next two matches are at home vs. Liverpool and Arsenal. Tough but good tests for him. Hope he does well.

 

Gooch scored the one and only goal in Sporting's win this weekend. Couldnt find a link but it was a header off of a flick on a free kick. Gotta love the Gooch.

 

Here is Gooch's goal -> http://www.socceroverthere.com/?p=7573

Fabian Johnson also assisted on both of Hoffenheim's goals this weekend.

And Zak Whitbread played for the first since August for Norwich City.

 

Have to congratulate Brad Guzan for his solid showing in Aston Villa's win over the weekend. Sky Sports gave him a rating of 7 and the save of the match. Not sure how long Shay Given will be out with his hamstring injury, but hope Guzan shows his value.

 

From the highlights Guzan appeared to have a good game. He's been a real professional these past few years; waiting patiently for his time at the top levels. I hope his patience pays off over the next few weeks. Maybe this will get him back in the picture for the US MNT too.

 

Couldn't agree more, and starting from the Gold Cup camp more than a few of us have wondered what he has to do to get a lousy call up.

 

Lets hope Johnson can straighten his career out at Puebla, but I'm doubtful we'll ever see him back with the Nats, which doesnt bother me one bit. Sorry EJ, there are just so many young prospects out there that seem to have so much potential

 

Eddie Johnson resurfaces

It's being reported that Eddie Johnson will join Puebla in the Primera Division.

He's had a rough go of it, and is probably now out of the picture for the USMNT (although I wouldn't put it past JK to give him another look at some point). Here's hoping he can get himself back on track.

 

Re: Eddie Johnson resurfaces

I certainly hope he has a better experience there than he had in England. I think DaMarcus Beasley plays for Puebla so perhaps that will help EJ settle and find form.