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.
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