American Outposts: More Weekend USMNT Action Around Europe

The UMSNT news across the pond this weekend was a bit short on goal highlights. Nonetheless, some noteworthy updates from around Europe:

It was a solid day for Fabian Johnson with 1899 Hoffenheim in German Bundesliga action. His team fell behind 2:0 early and fought back to earn a draw vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach, thanks in no small part to Johnson’s efforts. Johnson started his second consecutive game at right back and served a critical role in helping his team pull level. He drew a penalty kick call that led to an 82nd minute game-tying goal, as Hoffenheim earned a point to pull 7 points clear of the drop zone. Fabian’s recent foray at right back adds another layer of intrigue to the USMNT depth chart. He’s been featured at both left back and left midfield by Jurgen Klinsmann, but isn’t a clear starter at either spot. The increased versatility shown by also having success on the right should even further solidify his inclusion on the World Cup roster.

Here’s the PK call and the resulting game-tying goal:

Shifting over the The Championship in England, American-born teenager Duane Holmes made his loan debut with Yeovil Town. Yeovil is in a dogfight to avoid relegation to Football League One, currently sitting last in the Championship table. The 19-year-old Holmes, in his debut on an emergency loan from Huddersfield Town, drew a critical PK call in the 57th minute against Doncaster Rovers. The resulting goal ended up being the only score of the game, as Yeovil earned a critical 1:0 victory to pull with three points of the safe zone.

Here’s the penalty call and the deciding goal.

Elsewhere in The Championship, Jonathan Spector returned to the Birmingham City lineup after a four-month injury absence. He started and played 90 minutes at right back alongside fellow American International Will Packwood in a 2:1 victory over Blackpool. Spector made his return after a long recovery from a thigh injury suffered in October.

Oguchi Onyewu returned to the lineup after missing several weeks with a calf injury. Onyewu started and went 90 minutes in a 2:0 over Huddersfield Town.

Eric Lichaj also returned from injury for Nottingham Forest, but remained on the bench in a 3:1 loss to Burnley.

Brek Shea came off the bench in the 63rd minute for Barnsley in a 1:0 win over Millwall, continuing a trend of reduced playing time, likely falling further off the World Cup radar.

And further east in Turkey, Jermaine Jones did not make the game day roster for Besiktas, who fell 1:0 in a key match at Galatasaray. It was previously thought that Jones was ready to return from injury. His availability for the upcoming Ukraine match remains in question.

USMNT Injury Updates: Some on the Mend; Some Uncertainty

DaMarcus Beasley joins a long list of recently injured USMNT players. (MexSport)

Hopefully the news on Wednesday will be more upbeat, but for now, let’s update you on the injury status of several players in the United States National Team picture:

Last weekend we reported that Nottingham Forest defender Eric Lichaj was removed from his club’s game as a precaution. Today comes word that Lichaj’s groin injury may in fact be a hernia. At the very least, this news surely pushes Lichaj even further out of the national team conversation.

South of the border in Liga MX, the news appears to be good on DaMarcus Beasley, who was subbed off over the weekend with an apparent foot injury. Beasley apparently returned to training today with Puebla FC.

In France’s Ligue 1, Alejandro Bedoya sat out Nantes’ last match against Sochaux. Bedoya told mlssoccer.com that he was dealing with a minor hamstring injury and hoped to return for next weekend.

Midfielder Jermaine Jones has resumed full training with Besiktas of the Turkish SuperLiga. There is still no timetable for his return to the lineup.

And finally, forward Aron Johannsson, who left AZ Alkmaar’s last game with what appeared be a minor thigh injury, is also ready to resume training this week.

The USMNT injury list is a long one, and leaves many questions about how the roster will shape up when the team convenes in Ukraine in just three weeks.