Yanks Abroad 2014-15

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Titans Bastard

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He's back.
 

 
 
Adu signed for KuPS in Finland.  He'll join fellow American Stephen McCarthy, who signed there after being let go by the Revs over the winter.  It's Adu's 11th club and 8th country!  What a journeyman.
 

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Cellar-Door said:
Amazing that Adu is the same age as Altidore.
 
Supposedly, anyway.  It seems like we'll never know the truth but his career arc would make a little more sense if he were...a bit older.  But it's hard to separate that from his lack of motivation and work ethic and the way he was mismanaged by his handlers.
 
Anyway, on to the Next Young Guy:
 
https://twitter.com/JREskilson/status/582615745621823488
 
 
Love that photo of Pulisic and Klopp.
 

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- Pulisic made his official Dortmund debut, playing with the U17s.  He's finally received his official clearance to play despite not yet turning 18 (he'll be 17 in September).  Apparently he did well.  Fingers crossed, but he looks like the best talent from our current crop of U17s.
 
- Seth Moses, a central midfielder, has become the second US player to join FC Anyang in South Korea, joining Austin Berry.  Moses spent a season in Austria a few years back and was in the USL last season.  Anyang.
 
- French/American goalkeeper Quentin Westberg, who has plied his trade in the second and third divisions of France for many years, signed for Sarpsborg in Norway's top tier. Once upon a time Westberg played for our U20 team.
 

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Steve Cherundolo has been promoted to assistant manager at Hannover.  He had been assistant manager with Hannover's reserve team.
 
https://twitter.com/Hannover96/status/590248184770916353/photo/1
 
 
He's been with the club since 1999.
 

dirtynine

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I wonder if he caught the manager's eye and looked at his watch.  
 
edit - just to be clear, yeah I know this was Mathis at Hannover.   It's one of my favorite YA moments, so I thought I'd shoehorn it in here. 
 

Titans Bastard

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dirtynine said:
I wonder if he caught the manager's eye and looked at his watch.  
 
edit - just to be clear, yeah I know this was Mathis at Hannover.   It's one of my favorite YA moments, so I thought I'd shoehorn it in here. 
 

 
 
He's now an assistant coach with Chicago and looks about how you'd expect:
 
 

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- Tim Ream was named Bolton's supporters' player of the year for the second season in a row.
 
- US U17 center back Danny Barbir signed his first pro deal with WBA; he's been a scholar in their academy for a year or two
 
- US U20 forward Andrija Novakovich made another appearance off the bench for Reading yesterday.  That's not bad for an 18 year old who was playing youth soccer for the Chicago Magic this time last year, and who has moved through Reading's U18 and U21 teams.  Hopefully he moves fully into the first team rotation next year.  Big target forward type.
 
- US U20 goalkeeper Ethan Horvath made his professional debut for Molde yesterday in a cup match against a fourth-division Norwegian club.  From the highlights, his biggest challenge appeared to be when the wind actually blew his goal over (clearly, he lacks command of the box!).  He's backing up Orjan Nyland, who has recently emerged as Norway's #1 and may be picked off by a bigger club this summer.  Not sure if Horvath would be given an opportunity to start then or not.
 
- US U17 attacking midfielder Christian Pulisic has hit the ground running with Dortmund U17.  He's scored a brace in each of his last two matches.  In total, he has four goals and four assists in his first three games.
 
- US U17 midfielder Luca de la Torre is now coming off the bench for Fulham's U21s, at the age of 16.
 
- US U20 center back Cameron Carter-Vickers is playing regularly for Tottenham's U21s and has captained the team on a number of occasions despite being one of the youngest players at age 17.
 
- FREDDY ADU has started in KuPS's first two matches of the season.  Today, he even went 74 minutes, a true fitness achievement for him.  In Finland, perhaps he's finally found his level...
 
- Michael Orozco and Herculez Gomez won Copa MX, as Puebla beat Chivas 4-2.  The match also went down as the final one of 42-year-old Cuauhtemoc Blanco's career. 
 

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Another kid popped up on the radar, 17 year old midfielder Ander Egiluz at Athletic Bilbao.  He's from Boise, ID and (obviously, based on his name and his club) is of Basque decent.  I would have thought that was really random, except I recently learned that Boise has the highest concentration of Basque-Americans in the country when Athletic Bilbao announced a friendly there in July against Club Tijuana.
 
Boise even has an area called the "Basque Block", apparently.
 
 
In other YA news,
 
- Bobby Wood has returned from injury and scored last weekend for Aue.  They are in relegation trouble, though.
 
- Let's not talk about Brad Guzan's day
 
- Bedoya scored a late equalizer for Nantes
 
- Johannsson scored his 6th of the season for AZ.  Hopefully he'll stay healthy next season and can bounce back to 2013-14 levels of production.
 
- Fabian Johnson assisted on a late winner in a huge win over Wolfsburg.  This keeps Gladbach in 3rd place (and CL group stages), two points ahead of Leverkusen.  FJ only has 12 league starts this season because he missed a lot of time early in the year and then had to work his way back into the lineup.  However, I believe Gladbach is undefeated in those 12 games.
 

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- Ingolstadt need one point from their last three games to clinch promotion to the Bundesliga and three points to clinch the 2.Bundesliga.  Alfredo Morales has been a key player for them this season and as far as I can tell there's no reason to think he wouldn't go up with them.  They'd be a very small club in the Bundesliga.
 
- Despite missing some time with injury this spring, Bobby Wood has been in good form with his new club Erzgebirge Aue.  He has three goals and an assist in seven games.  Aue are in relegation trouble, though, and winding up in the 3.Liga would be very bad news for Wood.
 
- Bob Bradley's Stabæk team is off to a great start in Norway.  They are in second place after six games, three points behind Rosenborg.  Cole Grossman, who spent four seasons in MLS as a backup at Columbus and then Salt Lake, has apparently been excellent for them.
 

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- Fabian Johnson assisted on Borussia Mönchengladbach's final goal in a crucial 3-0 victory over Leverkusen.  With the win, Gladbach extended the gap between 3rd place and 4th place to five points and are now very close to clinching a place in the Champions League group stage next season.  At worst they'll be in the qualifiers.
 
- Brad Guzan has been dropped from Aston Villa's lineup for the second game in a row, after his terrible mistake against Man City.  It hasn't been an outstanding year for Brad, unfortunately.
 
- Brooks came off injured against Dortmund today, not sure what that's about.
 

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- Nice goal for Aron Johannsson yesterday, a late winner:
 
https://twitter.com/KHeneage/status/597435440975740928
 
 
 
- U-20 right back Shaquell Moore has signed with Huracan Valencia, who play in the Segunda B division, and were only founded in 2011.  A peculiar choice, but then Moore isn't super highly rated.
 

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Titans Bastard said:
- Nice goal for Aron Johannsson yesterday, a late winner:
 

https://twitter.com/KHeneage/status/597435440975740928
https://twitter.com/KHeneage/status/597435440975740928

link to tweet
 
 
 
- U-20 right back Shaquell Moore has signed with Huracan Valencia, who play in the Segunda B division, and were only founded in 2011.  A peculiar choice, but then Moore isn't super highly rated.
He's probably looking for a team where he can play and start the clock to a passport. Huracan has a good shot at moving up based on the table, so it could be a back door into the Segunda.
 

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Cellar-Door said:
He's probably looking for a team where he can play and start the clock to a passport. Huracan has a good shot at moving up based on the table, so it could be a back door into the Segunda.
 
Moore's parents are from T&T, so I'm guessing he's a dual national and doesn't count towards Spain's limit of three non-EU players because he qualifies for labor rights under the Cotonou Agreement (see: the Kolpak Ruling).  Same as Boxi Yomba (Sierra Leone) at Atletico.  If Moore gets a Spanish passport at some point, that will open doors elsewhere in Europe down the road.
 
I admittedly don't understand why certain African and Caribbean players count as "locals" in La Liga and Ligue 1 under the auspices of the Kolpak ruling, but that the Kolpak ruling doesn't seem to have an effect in other EU countries.  Although from what I can tell it is relevant in the UK, but only in rugby and cricket.
 
Speaking of American players in Spain, though, what's most impressive to me is Mukwelle Akale at Villarreal, who does not have the "right" passport, but who they want anyway.  That speaks volumes and he's one to watch.  The hype machine will start to crank up during the next U-20 cycle.
 

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Brad Friedel is retiring.  No surprise - he's about to turn 44!  One of the all-time US greats.
 
 
- Jonathan Spector signed a two year extension with Birmingham City, despite some interest from MLS.  Of note, he moved to CB towards the end of the season after spending most of his tenure at BCFC playing RB and CM.
 
- Oguchi Onyewu was released by Charlton with his contract expiring this summer.  Sometimes it's hard to remember he hasn't retired.
 
- Borussia Monchengladbach beat Werder Bremen today, which clinches them a place in the CL group stage next year.  Good news for Fabian Johnson.
 
- Hertha drew with Frankfurt 0-0 today, Brooks starting.  There's still a chance they could be dragged into a relegation playoff, but it's less likely now.
 

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https://twitter.com/BrianSciaretta/status/599939842672300034
 
AJ had a good day, two goals and an assist.  AZ won 4-1, while Feyenoord lost to Zwolle 3-0, so AZ finished third and are guaranteed a place in the 3rd qualifying round of the Europa League.  Feyenoord goes into the Eredivisie's EL playoff.
 
 
- Alfredo Morales assisted on the winning goal in Ingolstadt's 2-1 win over RB Leipzig, which clinched the 2.Bundesliga title and promotion.
 
- Ethan Horvath made his league debut for Molde when the starting GK had to be subbed.  That should take the sting out of not being released for the U20 World Cup.  Not sure how long Nyland will be out for.
 

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Jonathan Bornstein is starting tonight for Queretaro in the first leg of the Liga MX semifinals.  Ronaldinho also in the lineup.  Bornstein's four-year deal with Tigres has largely been a waste (though good money, I'm sure), but he's finally gotten some run on loan this spring.  He's out of contract at the end of June; I wouldn't be surprised to see him back in MLS somewhere.
 

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Anyone remember Josh Gatt?  He made his first appearance yesterday in around 23 months after a couple of knee injuries.  He came on as a sub and then left the game five minutes later with a non-contact injury.....
 

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Titans Bastard said:
Jonathan Bornstein is starting tonight for Queretaro in the first leg of the Liga MX semifinals.  Ronaldinho also in the lineup.  Bornstein's four-year deal with Tigres has largely been a waste (though good money, I'm sure), but he's finally gotten some run on loan this spring.  He's out of contract at the end of June; I wouldn't be surprised to see him back in MLS somewhere.
 
Queretaro lost the first leg 2-0, but won the second leg by the same score.  Liga MX playoffs don't have extra time - the higher seed advances in event of a tie.  Queretaro was the higher seed, so they move on.  Bornstein scored the winning goal, sending the club to their first ever final.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=14&v=j_uJUooX-zw
 
 
In other news, Alfredo Morales has signed a three-year extension at Ingolstadt and Geoff Cameron has signed a three-year extension at Stoke City.  Morales' contract was about to expire and Cameron had a year left.
 
Bobby Wood's club Erzegebirge Aue has been relegated from the 2.Bundesliga.
 
Chivas USA reject Cesar Romero goes into the last round of matches as the co-leading scorer of the Armenian League.  He'll play in Champions League qualifiers if he sticks around with Pyunik, though obviously, they won't get far.
 

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This sucks if it's true:
 
https://twitter.com/BrianSciaretta/status/603925221536587776
 
Again, if true - I'm surprised Dortmund extended his contract.  Gyau isn't super young at this point (22) and was someone Klopp took a flyer on.  Klopp's gone and Gyau missed most of the year with injury after debuting for BVB.
 
- Cody Cropper was released by Southampton last week.  Seltzer now reports that he's in talks with Bristol City, who have just been promoted to the Championship.  Physically, Cropper has all the tools to be a quality goalkeeper, but obviously there's a lot more to the position than that.  He needs games.
 
- Kyle Gruno, who has played with the US U-16 national team, signed scholarship papers with Leicester City.  He must have a second passport.
 
- Bosnian/American forward Danijal Brkovic won the Bosnian cup with Olimpic Sarajevo
 
- A Florida high schooler named Chris Wilkinson is apparently signing with Chesterfield.
 
- Left back Antonee Robinson at Everton was voted U18 player of the year by his team.  (Can we have a good left back prospect please?)
 

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dirtynine said:
DeAndre Yedlin's place at Spurs is already looking shaky.
It's a good thing he didn't risk his development by staying in MLS instead of jumping to Europe at the first opportunity.
 

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moly99 said:
It's a good thing he didn't risk his development by staying in MLS instead of jumping to Europe at the first opportunity.
 
For me, it's not really an MLS vs. Europe issue.  "Europe" is such a broad term as to be meaningless.  I don't think it was a mistake, necessarily, for Yedlin to leave Seattle.  It was probably a mistake to chase that irresistible EPL money and sign with Spurs.  It wasn't a very good strategic move for him, which is a concern that a lot of people had when Yedlin was sold.
 
He'd be better off in a better developmental environment.  The EPL is not a happy place for unfinished products.
 

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Titans Bastard said:
 
For me, it's not really an MLS vs. Europe issue.  "Europe" is such a broad term as to be meaningless.  I don't think it was a mistake, necessarily, for Yedlin to leave Seattle.  It was probably a mistake to chase that irresistible EPL money and sign with Spurs.  It wasn't a very good strategic move for him, which is a concern that a lot of people had when Yedlin was sold.
 
He'd be better off in a better developmental environment.  The EPL is not a happy place for unfinished products.
The article talks about a loan to Norwich or another team that was just promoted. If he goes to a lower table team in the EPL and gets playing time, that's a win for both Yedlin and Spurs, right?
 

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Titans Bastard said:
For me, it's not really an MLS vs. Europe issue. "Europe" is such a broad term as to be meaningless.
 
I was referring to Americans who want to see the USMNT players at big name clubs. And to a lesser degree Klinnsman. Yedlin would probably do well at some club like Bolton Wanderers. But American fans seem to want guys like Clint Dempsey to carry the flag overseas and prove that Americans belong at the best clubs in the world, not to slum it in the Sky Bet Championship.
 
crystalline said:
The article talks about a loan to Norwich or another team that was just promoted. If he goes to a lower table team in the EPL and gets playing time, that's a win for both Yedlin and Spurs, right?
 
Norwich is going to be in a relegation fight next year and their manager likely can't afford to let a player like Yedlin learn on the job. Yedlin needs to play in a league where he is allowed to make mistakes and learn from them.
 

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I was referring to Americans who want to see the USMNT players at big name clubs. And to a lesser degree Klinnsman. Yedlin would probably do well at some club like Bolton Wanderers. But American fans seem to want guys like Clint Dempsey to carry the flag overseas and prove that Americans belong at the best clubs in the world, not to slum it in the Sky Bet Championship.
 
 
Norwich is going to be in a relegation fight next year and their manager likely can't afford to let a player like Yedlin learn on the job. Yedlin needs to play in a league where he is allowed to make mistakes and learn from them.
 
1. It's been terrific for Tim Ream. 
2. This is generally correct and specifically useless. All players need to play, and learn from mistakes. Yedlin needs to play. If he gets that chance at Norwich, in the PL, he'll be doing more learning than he would be in the Championship with Bolton, as he'll need to matchup against guys like Eden Hazard. If Yedlin can't hack that, he won't play and he'll find himself at the next rung down the ladder...until he finds his level. 

If his level is MLS that means he's a good USMNT player but not the potentially very good player that Spurs invested in. 

The disaster scenario is that he's Bornstein 2.0 
 
I will never understand the idea that guys shouldn't want to play against the best possible competition. Yedlin, if he wins a spot at Norwich on loan or at Spurs, will have done it against real competition, not rejects from the Championship, the Brazilian leagues and the geriatrics who "star" in MLS.
 

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Job #1 is playing time. Playing anywhere is better than not playing. Look at Julian Green at Hamburg, who is in a relegation playoff. He got a whopping 5 appearances this season, none since December. They didn't have time to develop players for other teams since they were battling relegation. Then he pulls a fit and the team tried to send him back to Bayern in March. If Yedlin goes to Norwich or another relegation fighter, and doesn't get playing time because "he's on loan, who cares?", it will be a further setback to his development, since he's had one appearance since November. There are plenty of places for him to play where the quality will be better than his quality. 
 

Titans Bastard

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crystalline said:
The article talks about a loan to Norwich or another team that was just promoted. If he goes to a lower table team in the EPL and gets playing time, that's a win for both Yedlin and Spurs, right?
 
If he's not going to play at Spurs, going on loan is better than nothing.  It can be a good solution, but when you are on loan, you are with a club that doesn't have a stake in your long-term future.  There's a short leash and not a lot of investment in you.  He'd have been better off going to a club where he'd get more playing time.
 
Sadly, chances are that there will be articles in 2017 or 2018 when Yedlin signs for an MLS club about how he just followed the money and didn't really think about it, just as there were for Brek Shea this year.
 
Who knows, though - there's still time to work it out and turn it around.
 

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soxfan121 said:
2. This is generally correct and specifically useless. All players need to play, and learn from mistakes. Yedlin needs to play. If he gets that chance at Norwich, in the PL, he'll be doing more learning than he would be in the Championship with Bolton, as he'll need to matchup against guys like Eden Hazard. If Yedlin can't hack that, he won't play and he'll find himself at the next rung down the ladder...until he finds his level. 
 
How much time should he sacrifice in the meantime, though?
 
Doesn't it make a lot more sense for players like Yedlin to start off in Europe at a team in the Championship (or the Eredivisie) and then move up to tougher competition if they are successful? Would you want to hire a janitor as CEO and then demote him "until he finds his level," or would you promote him to head janitor and see if he can work his way up the ladder?
 

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moly99 said:
 
How much time should he sacrifice in the meantime, though?
 
Doesn't it make a lot more sense for players like Yedlin to start off in Europe at a team in the Championship (or the Eredivisie) and then move up to tougher competition if they are successful? Would you want to hire a janitor as CEO and then demote him "until he finds his level," or would you promote him to head janitor and see if he can work his way up the ladder?
 
You're not wrong but think of it from Yedlin's perspective: He is sought after by a big-time club and believes in himself/his ability. He gets paid. He gets a chance to prove to himself and to his NT coach (a club legend at Spurs) that he's big time. 

Would YOU stay where it's safe and you're guaranteed to be a big fish in a little pond? 

RELATED QUESTION: Are you 22? Do you remember how you felt about how good you could be if given a chance to be a CEO (instead of a janitor)?
 
I think Yedlin's in over his head at Spurs, mostly because he's a raw-er version of Kyle Walker, who isn't exactly old. Had he gone to, say, Liverpool, he'd be better positioned for playing time (given the corpse of Glen Johnson). So, I don't have great expectations of DY's success. A loan would be best, but as TB points out - it's a risk. But staying in Seattle would have been safe and it would have offered less opportunity to become "world class". 
 

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soxfan121 said:
I think Yedlin's in over his head at Spurs, mostly because he's a raw-er version of Kyle Walker, who isn't exactly old. Had he gone to, say, Liverpool, he'd be better positioned for playing time (given the corpse of Glen Johnson). So, I don't have great expectations of DY's success. A loan would be best, but as TB points out - it's a risk. But staying in Seattle would have been safe and it would have offered less opportunity to become "world class". 
 
I'm not arguing that Yedlin should have stayed in Seattle forever. But he should have waited for the right opportunity in Europe instead of signing with the first big name club that came calling.
 
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