ASN 100 Update
Jermaine! Jozy! Rubin! Updates on 19 U.S. Players
Josh Deaver returns with his cheeky look at the players of the ASN 100, with updates from Mexico, Germany, England, the U.S, the Netherlands, and whatever planet Brek Shea currently inhabits.
Jermaine Jones—ASN rank #2
Jones worked his way up to No. 2 on the ASN 100 after a strong World Cup, but is clearly first in our collective hearts after a rollicking offseason which included so-perfectly-L.A. group shots with such 2009 luminaries as Paris Hilton and Charlie Sheen. So, off the field, at least—good times all around. Currently, the former Schalke man is looking for a home, presumably stateside were MLS sides are looking to splash the cash for some national team player name recognition. Chicago and New England have emerged as the two frontrunners, but don’t rule out the L.A. Galaxy as long as double-super-secret-DP-‘of a certain threshold’ allocation lists exist. As we await the official announcement, here’s Mr. Jones wearing some sort of dress-shirt thingy.
Oh boy, I have to do this again? Here’s the deal, guys: I had my disagreements with Altidore last season but we patched it up over the World Cup break. I said, “Hey Joze—I’m not putting you back into the ASN 100 update until you score a goal for Sunderland, cool?” He said, “I understand completely.” He came off the bench and played nine minutes in a 2-2 draw versus West Brom on Saturday. Geoff Cameron—ASN rank #9
The most peculiar Americans-in-the-EPL subplot of the weekend was the absence of defender/utility knife Geoff Cameron from the Stoke City game day roster against Aston Villa—which ended in a 1-0 loss for the Potters at the hands of Brad Guzan and Co. Now, according to new reports, Cameron has asked out of Stoke but, as of yet, no suitor has been made public. For what it’s worth: he is currently enjoying a “day off” in France. Landon Donovan—ASN rank #11
So, America’s all-time everything is retiring. This stinks, but remains a necessary step as we mark time before entering the next era of U.S. Soccer—A.D. (After Donovan). In the meantime, Donovan is continuing his campaign of passive aggression and coded Klinsmann shade, while also playing soccer for the L.A. Galaxy. During the first stop on his farewell tour against Columbus Crew this weekend, Donovan was honored before the match in which he played 90 minutes in a 4-1 loss. It wasn’t all niceties however, as the Nordecke welcomed Donovan with a not-so-subtle dig in the form of a Jurgen Klinsmann tifo under the headline “New Heroes.” #BanterZone.
After enduring post-World Cup ankle surgery, the Icelandic goal machine is set to go under the knife once again this week to fix a persistent groin injury, a procedure that will keep him out of action for an additional six weeks. In addition to missing time with AZ, Johannsson’s absence—along with an injury to Terrence Boyd—has created more than a little intrigue for Jurgen Klinsmann, who now finds himself bereft of established striking options ahead of a Euro-based national team camp scheduled for September 3 in the Czech Republic. John Brooks—ASN rank #17
Will Packwood—ASN rank #44
Brooks and Packwood, two of America’s top prospects in central defense, are both facing significant playing time worries as European seasons begin in earnest. Brooks, World Cup hero against Ghana, has been all but a spectator for Hertha Berlin since returning from Brazil. Forced out of the lineup by incumbent duo of Johnny Heitinga and Sebastian Langkamp, he has seen only scant minutes in the preseason. The trend continued Saturday, with the 21-year-old warming the bench during a 4-2 German Cup win over Viktoria Koln. It hasn’t been much better for Packwood, who has yet to feature for Birmingham City. He did, however, score a goal for the BCFC reserves on Monday. Juan Agudelo—ASN rank #23
After an off-season full of rumor, on Tuesday German reports indicated that 2.Bundesliga club Munich 1860 has shown some interest in the currently unattached striker. After netting three goals in 14 appearances on loan with FC Utrecht last season, Agudelo’s appeal for an English work permit was denied for the second time, voiding his contract with Stoke City and leaving him without a club. If the move goes through, Agudelo will join fellow American Bobby Wood on the Lions roster. Luis Gil—ASN rank #28
This just in: Luis Gil is still only 20-years-old. He’s also very good at soccer. Here are two of his goals in the last two weeks. First, there was this perfectly placed free kick (1:38 mark) with the U.S. under-23 national team against the Bahamas… …followed up by this lovely piece of skill in a friendly match with Tijuana last week. Joe Corona—ASN rank #33
Coming off his first league goal since last February, the 24-year-old has been making a push for a bigger role with the Xolos. Against Chiapas on Friday, Corona got the start, playing his first 90-minute shift of the season and registering the eventual game-winning assist in a 2-1 victory. The three points were the first of the season for Tijuana, which will look to keep its momentum with a mid-week Copa MX tilt and a weekend date with against similarly struggling Pumas. Edgar Castillo—ASN rank #36
Jose Torres—ASN rank #42
Don’t sleep on the Liga MXAmerican contingent. Both Torres and Castillo have started every match of the Apertura for their respective clubs. Torres featured for 62 minutes over the weekend in a 1-1 draw with Puebla, while Castillo—a constant at left back for second-place Atlas—put in a another 90-minute shift on Saturday in a 1-0 win over Universidad Guadalajara. Shane O’Neill—ASN rank #56
Due to a severe right knee sprain, the talented under-23 defender will miss the rest of the MLS season. O’Neill started 16 games for Colorado Rapids this season.
For some time now I have been preaching the underrated-ness of Will Bruin. In terms of goals created over the past two years, the Dynamo forward has put himself on an elite list that includes names like Donovan, Keane, Henry and few others. Despite questions of efficiency last season, Bruin is currently on a goal-scoring tear, finding the back of the net three times in his last four games. On Saturday, he notched his ninth of the season during a 2-0 win over Philadelphia. Brek Shea—ASN rank #65
Seemingly doomed from the start, the Telegraph reported over the weekend that Brek Shea will be allowed to leave Stoke City. The 24-year-old winger is currently featuring with the reserves but, after failing to impress in his limited appearances, will now reportedly seek greener pastures. "We need to trim our squad down and let some players go to get some games,” manager Mark Hughes said. "We're satisfied with our business this summer in terms of incomings and now the focus will be on players leaving." Shea had been training with Orlando City in the offseason, sparking rumors of a return to MLS. Gyasi Zardes—ASN rank #95
#Facts:
I’ll just leave this here… Rubio Rubin—ASN rank #98
On Saturday, former U.S. Soccer Young Male Athlete of the Year Rubio Rubin kicked off his first professional season in style, making a surprise start and playing 90 minutes for new club FC Utrecht on the opening weekend of the Eredivisie campaign. Wearing no. 45, the big stage failed to eclipse Rubin, who put in a tidy performance during a 2-1 win over Wilhelm II and was credited for an assist after his miss-hit volley fell for Jens Toornstra who netted the game’s opening goal.
Joining the legions of Americans already thriving in England’s second division, the crafty 18-year-old drew immense praise over the first two weeks of the Championship campaign thanks to his composed and cultured performances in the heart of Fulham’s midfield—including a 90-minute performance on Saturday in a 1-0 loss to Milwall. There is lots of work yet to do, but if these performances are any indication we will be seeing Hyndman for some time to come.
Emerson Hyndman vs. Ipswich by Chance612
Jones worked his way up to No. 2 on the ASN 100 after a strong World Cup, but is clearly first in our collective hearts after a rollicking offseason which included so-perfectly-L.A. group shots with such 2009 luminaries as Paris Hilton and Charlie Sheen. So, off the field, at least—good times all around. Currently, the former Schalke man is looking for a home, presumably stateside were MLS sides are looking to splash the cash for some national team player name recognition. Chicago and New England have emerged as the two frontrunners, but don’t rule out the L.A. Galaxy as long as double-super-secret-DP-‘of a certain threshold’ allocation lists exist. As we await the official announcement, here’s Mr. Jones wearing some sort of dress-shirt thingy.
Buddy ran into Jermaine Jones. Too much. Discuss pic.twitter.com/bnjmFLXLPJ
— Alex Olshansky (@tempofreesoccer) August 17, 2014Oh boy, I have to do this again? Here’s the deal, guys: I had my disagreements with Altidore last season but we patched it up over the World Cup break. I said, “Hey Joze—I’m not putting you back into the ASN 100 update until you score a goal for Sunderland, cool?” He said, “I understand completely.” He came off the bench and played nine minutes in a 2-2 draw versus West Brom on Saturday. Geoff Cameron—ASN rank #9
The most peculiar Americans-in-the-EPL subplot of the weekend was the absence of defender/utility knife Geoff Cameron from the Stoke City game day roster against Aston Villa—which ended in a 1-0 loss for the Potters at the hands of Brad Guzan and Co. Now, according to new reports, Cameron has asked out of Stoke but, as of yet, no suitor has been made public. For what it’s worth: he is currently enjoying a “day off” in France. Landon Donovan—ASN rank #11
So, America’s all-time everything is retiring. This stinks, but remains a necessary step as we mark time before entering the next era of U.S. Soccer—A.D. (After Donovan). In the meantime, Donovan is continuing his campaign of passive aggression and coded Klinsmann shade, while also playing soccer for the L.A. Galaxy. During the first stop on his farewell tour against Columbus Crew this weekend, Donovan was honored before the match in which he played 90 minutes in a 4-1 loss. It wasn’t all niceties however, as the Nordecke welcomed Donovan with a not-so-subtle dig in the form of a Jurgen Klinsmann tifo under the headline “New Heroes.” #BanterZone.
Crew fans' tribute to Donovan: pic.twitter.com/Y4WqFIsiPt
— Brian Straus (@BrianStraus) August 17, 2014After enduring post-World Cup ankle surgery, the Icelandic goal machine is set to go under the knife once again this week to fix a persistent groin injury, a procedure that will keep him out of action for an additional six weeks. In addition to missing time with AZ, Johannsson’s absence—along with an injury to Terrence Boyd—has created more than a little intrigue for Jurgen Klinsmann, who now finds himself bereft of established striking options ahead of a Euro-based national team camp scheduled for September 3 in the Czech Republic. John Brooks—ASN rank #17
Will Packwood—ASN rank #44
Brooks and Packwood, two of America’s top prospects in central defense, are both facing significant playing time worries as European seasons begin in earnest. Brooks, World Cup hero against Ghana, has been all but a spectator for Hertha Berlin since returning from Brazil. Forced out of the lineup by incumbent duo of Johnny Heitinga and Sebastian Langkamp, he has seen only scant minutes in the preseason. The trend continued Saturday, with the 21-year-old warming the bench during a 4-2 German Cup win over Viktoria Koln. It hasn’t been much better for Packwood, who has yet to feature for Birmingham City. He did, however, score a goal for the BCFC reserves on Monday. Juan Agudelo—ASN rank #23
After an off-season full of rumor, on Tuesday German reports indicated that 2.Bundesliga club Munich 1860 has shown some interest in the currently unattached striker. After netting three goals in 14 appearances on loan with FC Utrecht last season, Agudelo’s appeal for an English work permit was denied for the second time, voiding his contract with Stoke City and leaving him without a club. If the move goes through, Agudelo will join fellow American Bobby Wood on the Lions roster. Luis Gil—ASN rank #28
This just in: Luis Gil is still only 20-years-old. He’s also very good at soccer. Here are two of his goals in the last two weeks. First, there was this perfectly placed free kick (1:38 mark) with the U.S. under-23 national team against the Bahamas… …followed up by this lovely piece of skill in a friendly match with Tijuana last week. Joe Corona—ASN rank #33
Coming off his first league goal since last February, the 24-year-old has been making a push for a bigger role with the Xolos. Against Chiapas on Friday, Corona got the start, playing his first 90-minute shift of the season and registering the eventual game-winning assist in a 2-1 victory. The three points were the first of the season for Tijuana, which will look to keep its momentum with a mid-week Copa MX tilt and a weekend date with against similarly struggling Pumas. Edgar Castillo—ASN rank #36
Jose Torres—ASN rank #42
Don’t sleep on the Liga MXAmerican contingent. Both Torres and Castillo have started every match of the Apertura for their respective clubs. Torres featured for 62 minutes over the weekend in a 1-1 draw with Puebla, while Castillo—a constant at left back for second-place Atlas—put in a another 90-minute shift on Saturday in a 1-0 win over Universidad Guadalajara. Shane O’Neill—ASN rank #56
Due to a severe right knee sprain, the talented under-23 defender will miss the rest of the MLS season. O’Neill started 16 games for Colorado Rapids this season.
Looks like O’Neill’s done. Mastroeni on Shane O’Neill: “My expectations are [that] we won’t see Shane for the rest of the year.” #Rapids96
— Chris Bianchi (@Rapids_News) August 19, 2014For some time now I have been preaching the underrated-ness of Will Bruin. In terms of goals created over the past two years, the Dynamo forward has put himself on an elite list that includes names like Donovan, Keane, Henry and few others. Despite questions of efficiency last season, Bruin is currently on a goal-scoring tear, finding the back of the net three times in his last four games. On Saturday, he notched his ninth of the season during a 2-0 win over Philadelphia. Brek Shea—ASN rank #65
Seemingly doomed from the start, the Telegraph reported over the weekend that Brek Shea will be allowed to leave Stoke City. The 24-year-old winger is currently featuring with the reserves but, after failing to impress in his limited appearances, will now reportedly seek greener pastures. "We need to trim our squad down and let some players go to get some games,” manager Mark Hughes said. "We're satisfied with our business this summer in terms of incomings and now the focus will be on players leaving." Shea had been training with Orlando City in the offseason, sparking rumors of a return to MLS. Gyasi Zardes—ASN rank #95
#Facts:
Gyasi Zardes is the first MLS player 22 or younger to score 9+ goals over a 10-game span since a 21 year old Landon Donovan in 2003.
— Over There (@socceroverthere) August 17, 2014I’ll just leave this here… Rubio Rubin—ASN rank #98
On Saturday, former U.S. Soccer Young Male Athlete of the Year Rubio Rubin kicked off his first professional season in style, making a surprise start and playing 90 minutes for new club FC Utrecht on the opening weekend of the Eredivisie campaign. Wearing no. 45, the big stage failed to eclipse Rubin, who put in a tidy performance during a 2-1 win over Wilhelm II and was credited for an assist after his miss-hit volley fell for Jens Toornstra who netted the game’s opening goal.
Happy to have made my Pro European Debut with @fcutrecht . Win over Willem II. 3 points. Onto the next one. pic.twitter.com/IpgjxyUlOp
— Rubio Mendez Rubin (@RubioRubin) August 17, 2014Joining the legions of Americans already thriving in England’s second division, the crafty 18-year-old drew immense praise over the first two weeks of the Championship campaign thanks to his composed and cultured performances in the heart of Fulham’s midfield—including a 90-minute performance on Saturday in a 1-0 loss to Milwall. There is lots of work yet to do, but if these performances are any indication we will be seeing Hyndman for some time to come.
Emerson Hyndman vs. Ipswich by Chance612
