102512_bradleymichael_isi_usmntjt1015123587 John Todd/isiphotos.com
ASN 100 Weekly Update

Here's How the ASN 100 Fared This Weekend

Every Monday we’ll provide updates on how key ASN players performed in their most recent matches. Here’s a quick look at 13 U.S. players, with lots of embedded videos.
BY Josh Deaver Posted
November 19, 2012
6:55 AM
Michael Bradley—ASN Rank No. 2
In Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Russia, Michael Bradley scored his 11th national team goal with a picture perfect volley. Yeah, it was a pretty nice goal. Bradley and Roma take on Torino Monday afternoon with a chance to correct some inconsistent recent form and jump from the midtable of Serie A into the top six.

Steve Cherundolo—ASN Rank No. 4
The ultra-reliable Cherundolo missed Hannover's weekend match with what his club is calling “a distortion to his cervical vertebrae.” Whatever that is, it doesn’t sound good.

Danny Williams—ASN Rank No. 7
The young German-American defensive midfielder has impressed in 2012. This, however, was not been his finest week. He posted a substandard performance for the national team on Wednesday, gifting Russia a goal after a poorly taken free kick. Williams was equally ineffective in Bundesliga action on Sunday, being subbed off at halftime of a 3-1 loss to Wolfsburg.

Carlos Bocanegra—ASN Rank No. 12
If there weren’t enough questions about the U.S national team defense, incumbent centerback Carlos Bocanegra will miss at least six weeks with a hamstring tear. The U.S captain picked up the injury early in the first half against Russia on Wednesday. While the injury timetable puts his return shortly before the opening game of the Hexagonal on February 6th, it will now be imperative for Jurgen Klinsmann to strengthen backline depth provided there is any delay in Bocanegra’s recovery.

Eddie Johnson—ASN Rank No. 14
In a valiant effort on Sunday, Johnson scored Seattle's opening goal. It was his 15th of the year, but it was not enough. The Sounders were eliminated from the MLS Cup playoffs, 4-2 on aggregate. The forward got emotional after the match. “Sometimes in life you work so hard, you put everything out there and things just don’t go your way," he said. "We all cry, we all have feelings, we’re all human beings. That hurt today. It still hurts. I’ll probably cry some more afterward. There’s no success without failure and hopefully we can get it right for next year.”

Terrence Boyd—ASN Rank No. 16
The 21-year old forward is enjoying a breakout first professional season for Austrian giant Rapid Vienna. Boyd netted his seventh league goal on Saturday in a 4-1 win over Mattersberg. The goal, his 10th in all competitions, puts him fifth in scoring in the Bundesliga.

Brad Guzan—ASN Rank No. 21 and Eric Lichaj—ASN Rank No. 32
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan has been one of the few bright spots for Aston Villa. He picked up October player of the month honors for the club, but his prowess couldn’t make up for defensive lapses in a 5-0 loss to Manchester City on Saturday. Guzan was hardly at fault for a majority of the scoreline as the Villa defense struggled. Eric Lichaj was available for this match after missing last week due to yellow card suspension, but was not included in the game day roster.

Stuart Holden—ASN Rank No. 29
Only two weeks after returning to on-field training, there are reports (although no confirmation) that the Bolton midfielder would begin participating in first team training sessions on Monday. If true, this marks a significant milestone in Holden’s long road to recovery from a devastating knee injury which has kept him sidelined since September 2011. Bolton Manager Dougie Freedman rightfully remains cautious, saying, “There’s no rush. I’m not going to put a guy’s career in jeopardy just because we need a result. It’s only fair that if he trains with us for a period of time after he comes back, that positivity rubs off on people, and then it’s time to pick him.”

Mix Diskerud—ASN Rank No. 38
In Russia, Diskerud scored his first goal in a U.S jersey with a 93rd minute equalizer in a hard fought 2-2 draw with Russia. On Sunday Diskerud was back in Norway for Rosenborg, playing 90 minutes and setting up a goal, in a 4-1 season ending win over Honefoss.

Brad Davis—ASN Rank No. 42
Davis recorded his 12th assist of the year in Sunday’s series clinching win against D.C United. The wily midfielder found a cutting Boniek Garcia with a deft pass to take the lead and effectively usher Houston into a rematch with LA Galaxy for the MLS Cup.

Juan Agudelo—ASN Rank No. 47
Following an impressive return to the National Team, Celtic revealed that the promised Chivas USA forward will head to Glasgow for an offseason training stint. Agudelo, who has had previous training stints with Liverpool and Stuttgart, will be looking to impress in 2013 after an up and down season. His confident play in Krasnodar, where he earned an assist, should help his stock with Jurgen Klinsmann, but he will need to take his game to the next level and make a case for his inclusion in the run up to the World Cup.

Greg Garza—ASN Rank No. 96
On Thursday night, the 21-year old defender scored in Tijuana’s 1-0 away win against Monterrey in the opening match of the Liga MX playoff campaign. Subbed on in the 79th minute as a midfielder, Garza pounced on a rebound to net a late winner for a surprise Tijuana side which has emerged as a top team in Mexico and boasts a contingent of American players. On Sunday, Garza was once again given substitute minutes in a second leg 1-1 draw which saw Tijuana advance to the next round. Fellow American Edgar Castillo played 90 minutes while midfielder Joe Corona was an unused substitute in both games.

Josh Deaver is a former academic turned soccer obsessive. Follow him @USFootballGuy for daily updates and musings.

Post a comment