8715_isi_yarbroughwilliam_alvaradoventura_usmntjd07211531 John Dorton/isiphotos.com
Yanks Abroad

Americans Produce Goals, Howlers, and a Bit of Strife

The Bundesliga, English Premier League, and other top European leagues have yet to kick off but there is still plenty to discuss regarding American soccer players toiling overseas. 
BY Brian Sciaretta Posted
August 07, 2015
12:00 PM

WHILE THE MAJOR LEAGUES in Europe are still waiting to kick off, there were plenty of Americans playing abroad in the news—some of it good, some of it not so much.

Crnkic stars in Europa League upset

European competitions are always full of upsets and Thursday had a good one. Better yet, an American was front and center. After losing the opening leg at home 1-0 to FC Copenhagen, Czech Republic club Jablonec was not given much of a chance to win its series against the powerful Danish Club.

But Jablonec stunned the Parken Stadium crowd, scoring the first two goals with Crnkic assisting on the opening goal. After Copenhagen pulled one back, Martin Pospisil’s goal in the 83rd minute gave the visitors a stunning 3-1 lead. Copenhagen would score another but ultimately lose the series on away goals.

Born in Bosnia but raised in Michigan where he once starred for the Michigan Bucks of the PDL, Crnkic had a fantastic game. In addition to assisting on the opening goal, the speedy left winger also was terrific defensively, shutting down Copenhagen’s Danish international, William Kvist, for 90 minutes. 

Next up for Jablonec will be the playoff round of the Europa League where the Czech club will take on Ajax. The winner will earn a spot in the group stages.

Eintracht coach critiques Chandler

Many club coaches are not fans of seeing their players participate in international games. Generally, however, coaches in the top Europeans leagues just accept it because it is a frequent occurrence.

This isn't the case for Eintracht Frankfurt coach Armin Veh, who recently told reporters about his feelings for Timothy Chandler playing for the U.S. national team—a team that requires the right back to travel great distances in sometimes difficult conditions.

According to media at today’s practice, Veh said that for Chandler to get back into the lineup after being away for the Gold Cup, he must “wait in line.” He also said that Chandler’s international duties do nothing for Eintracht Frankfurt.

As for future U.S. men's national team involvement, Veh was blunt: “He has to ask himself what he wants.”

Rough outing for William Yarbrough

On Wednesday night Club Leon and San Luis played to a 3-3 draw in the Copa MX. To say it was a brutal outing for U.S. national team goalkeeper William Yarbrough would be a massive understatement. In just the second minute of the match, he was caught way out of position and allowed Leonardo Villagra to score easily.

In the 60th minute Yarbrough was inexcusably beaten on a 25-yard shot from Orlando Pineda Torres. If there was ever a definition of a howler, this was it.

Bad games happen but if this is a trend, Yarbrough is going to drop in the U.S. national team depth chart.

Ibarra opens his Club Leon account

While Yarbrough struggled for Club Leon, his U.S. international teammate Miguel Ibarra is settling in nicely. With the scored tied at 1-1 in the 26th minute, the former Minnesota United attacker scored on a nice counter attack. The finish was easy but the smart run into the box gave him the open chance 


Alvarado Show Improvement

Ventura Alvarado played poorly for the U.S. in the 2015 Gold Cup and he struggled over the weekend in his first game back with Club America, scoring an own-goal in a 3-1 loss to Atlas.

On Wednesday night the Phoenix, Az., native took a step in the right direction in a CONCACAF Champions League game at Azteca Stadium against CD Motagua of Honduras. With Club America starting is top lineup, Alvarado opened the scoring when he slammed home a rebound following a corner kick.

Overall, it was a very good outing for Alvarado who also completed 42 out of 47 passes as Club America secured a valuable three points.

Horvath shows well in Champions League

Ethan Horvath is quickly becoming an American player to watch after breaking into the starting lineup at Molde. The U.S. Olympic hopeful, however, deserved better than his squad’s 3-3 draw against Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday. The result sent the Norwegian team out of the Champions League on away goals. Horvath made several impressive saves to keep Molde in the game and his teammates missed two penalties in the second leg.

The good news is that Molde will get to play in the playoff stage of the Europa League against Belgium's Standard Liege, so its European dreams remain alive.

Hyndman on the move?

A big story that has emerged this week is that 2015 U.S. U-20 World Cup captain Emerson Hyndman could be on his way out at Fulham. Goal and mlssoccer.com both reported that there is transfer interest and that Hyndman has rejected various contract offers from the London club that has a long history of employing American players.

Fulham manager Kit Symons, however, spoke to the media today and indicated he is not quite willing to let the promising Hyndman go. He listed the Texan as being one of three players he wants signed to new deals in the near future. 

However it plays out, it's a story worth following.

Americans in League Cup of Ireland final

The Irish Cup final on September 19 will have an American feel to it. In the recent semifinal wins, two Americans helped lift their respective teams into the final.

Stormvill, N.Y., native Jake Keegan has been having a terrific season for Galway United where his eight goals have him tied for sixth best in the league. In Galway’s recent upset over Dundalk, Keegan went the distance and scored a goal in the shootout following a 120 scoreless minutes.

Galway United will face off against St. Patrick Athletic in the final. In its semifinal, St. Patrick’s was held scoreless against Shamrock Rovers but won in the shootout. Honolulu’s Morgan Langley came into the game for St. Patrick’s in the 112th minute.

De La Torre inks first pro deal 

San Diego native Luca De La Torre signed his first professional contract with the London club where he will look to progress toward the first team.

De La Torre, 17, is a creative midfielder and is expected to be a major part of the U.S. U-17 World Cup team this fall in Chile. 

Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Follow him on Twitter.

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