Filed under: USMNT, USMNT Club | Tags: brad evans, Brek Shea, c.j. sapong, Chris Wondolowski, Danny Williams, Eric Lichaj, Fabian Johnson, graham zusi, Heath Pearce, hercules gomez, jeff larentowicz, Jermaine Jones, jose torres, Jozy Altidore, Jurgen Klinsmann, Kyle Beckerman, landon donovan, nick rimando, Ricardo Clark, steve cherundolo, Tim Howard
By Katie Callaway
The USMNT Club is a weekly round-up of what your favorite National Team players have been doing at their club teams, from MLS to Mexico to the Premier League to the Europa League.
With 18 goals in all competitions this season, there’s no question that Jozy Altidore will reach the 20s before the year is out. His latest for AZ Alkmaar, a 25-yard rocket into the top corner of the net (second goal of the highlights), left PSV Eindhoven’s goalie without a chance. And it’s just one of many vital goals the young striker has produced lately – including both of Alkmaar’s in his man-of-the-match performance in last week’s 2-2 draw with FC Twente. Again, though, Altidore was subbed off before the opponent scored again, making one question whether his presence on the field would have resulted in a different result? I’d like to see him put in some 90-minute games as AZ close out its title campaign (the team is six points off of first place).
Back in the home country, Brek Shea led FC Dallas to victory with first goal of the season. And what a goal it was! The Texas native made one of his signature runs into the box as a teammate flicked it right into his path. Shea just finished off with a neat strike underneath Montreal Impact goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts and sped toward the fans for a very enthusiastic celebration. Granted, the more people involved in a celebration, the more I love it. But check out Shea’s 88th minute game-winner here, just fast-forward to 6:30. He’s already got an assist with the National Team, but let’s see one of those bullets the next time Jurgen Klinsmann calls him in.
Going the Distance: Several U.S. players went the full 90 in their weekend games: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Ricardo Clark (Stabaek), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC),Tim Howard (Everton), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Jeff Larentowicz (Colorado Rapids), Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa), Heath Pearce (Chivas USA), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), C.J. Sapong (Sporting Kansas City), Jose Torres (Pachuca), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes) and Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City).
Upcoming: Perpetually on Klinsmann’s radar but absent from his rosters, Hercules Gomez and Santos Laguna take on Monterrey in the CONCACAF Champions League tonight at 10 p.m. ET on Fox Soccer.
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[...] goals as often as they breathe, it seems. What did I say about Jozy last week? That’s right, that he’ll go over 20 goals before the end of the season. He’s currently on 19. I should have put money on that. This weekend, our unstoppable striker [...]
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