Terrence Boyd Scores for Rapid Wien; Americans in Europe Weekend Roundup

Terrence Boyd continues to show well and make his World Cup case. (Photo: GEPA)

Forward Terrence Boyd continued his strong season for Rapid Wien (Vienna) of the Austrian Bundesliga on Sunday. Boyd scored in first half stoppage time against Red Bull Salzburg to draw Rapid within a 2:1 margin at halftime. However, a late flurry of Salzburg goals put the game away for the runaway league leaders as Rapid fell 6:3. It was the 14th goal of the season for Boyd across all competitions. He’ll look to help solidify a World Cup roster spot with USMNT this week vs. Ukraine.

Aron Johannsson didn’t score on Sunday, but he did have a rather pretty assist to add to his resume. Johannsson set up teammate Steven Berghuis’s 48th minute goal on the way to AZ Alkmaar’s 4:0 win over RKC Waalwijk. Johannsson dribbled at the top of the 18-yard box, drawing the attention of several defenders before laying off to a charging Berghuis, who finished with a low blast across goal. Here’s a look at the goal sequence:

It was disappointing news for Jozy Altidore on Sunday. The USMNT starting striker was left off the game day squad for Sunderland’s massive League Cup Final contest against Manchester City. There was no word on any injury problem, so we’re left to conclude it was simply the manager’s decision. The absence continues a difficult campaign for Altidore, who has just two Premier League goals on the season.

Elsewhere in the Premier League this weekend:

Clint Dempsey was a surprise inclusion in Fulham’s starting lineup vs. Chelsea. Dempsey had been left out of the 18-man roster for each of Fulham’s previous three matches. Dempsey has several good chances on goal, but wasn’t able to find the scoring column, leaving him without a single goal in nearly 600 minutes with Fulham. His two-month loan term expired with the end of the match. He’ll return to the Seattle Sounders for the start of the MLS season after a midweek stint with the USMNT in Germany and Cyprus.

Geoff Cameron put in another solid performance for Stoke City, doing his part to deal a crushing 1:0 loss to title hopefuls Arsenal. Cameron nearly scored himself in the first half. A bouncing ball in the box found its way to Cameron’s feet, but the USMNT defender/midfielder couldn’t put the shot on frame. He projects to start at right back on Wednesday vs. Ukraine.

Tim Howard bounced back from a difficult 93rd minute own-goal last weekend to post a clean sheet in Everton’s 1:0 victory over West Ham. Howard wasn’t tested often, only requiring one save along the way. The win keeps Everton in 7th position in the league table and still very much in contention to earn a spot in the 2014-15 Europa League.

Brad Guzan‘s Aston Villa notched an important 4:1 over Norwich City. Villa surrendered an early 3rd minute goal off a corner kick, but fought back with a four-goal barrage to take a 4:1 lead into halftime. USMNT backup goalkeeper Guzan made three saves along the way for the winning side, which climbed into 11th place, a seemingly safe 7 points above the relegation zone.

American Outposts: Goals Aplenty for USMNT Players in Europe

Sacha Kljestan celebrates his winning goal today for Anderlecht. (Philippe Crochet)

Following a weekend filled with nothing but the disappointing news of injuries and absences, it was a much better couple of days on the pitch for Americans overseas. In addition to Aron Johannsson’s goal yesterday, USMNT players Terrence Boyd, Danny Williams and Sacha Kljestan all found the back of the net this weekend.

On Saturday in Austria, forward Terrence Boyd scored a 90th minute goal for Rapid WIen (Vienna). However, it did come in a losing effort, as his club fell 2:1 to Adm/Modling in the tipp3-Bundesliga. Boyd appears to have the inside track for a World Cup roster spot, and staying on the scoresheet bodes well for keeping his place on the depth chart.

Today in the English Championship, it was Danny Williams on the scoreboard once again for his new club Reading FC. Williams’ goal put Reading ahead in the 9th minute, leading his team to a big 3:1 win over Queens Park Rangers. The last USMNT call-up for Williams came in February 2013 against Honduras, and at one point was regular starter. He’s fallen way down Jurgen Klinsmann’s depth chart since then, so it will take a sustained run of strong form to get back into the roster.

Here’s a nifty .gif of Williams’ goal:

And also today in Belgium, midfielder Sacha Kljestan shined in his return to the lineup, posting both a goal and an assist as Anderlecht defeated Mons by a 2:0 margin. It was the 8th goal of the season for Kljestan, who had been sidelined with a thigh injury for most of the past two months. It’s perfect timing for Kljestan to get back on the field with a strong performance, as he figures to be in contention for one of the final USMNT rosters spots for Brazil. First and foremost, he needs to remain healthy enough to be included for the Ukraine match on March 5.

Here’s video of Kljestan’s goal (at 0:34) and assist (at 1:08):