The European season is winding down as Tim Howard got another win for Everton, Maurice Edu started for Rangers who took the lead in the SPL, and Clint Dempsey and Fulham took one step closer to European soccer next season. Meanwhile in Sweden where the season is just starting, Charlie Davies scored again and now has 4 goals. Here’s the full recap of Americans playing abroad in the top European soccer leagues.
Charlie Davies (ST) – Hammarby – Swedish Allsvenskan – Davies scored again for Hammarby as they won 1-0 against Malmo FF. He scored the goal on a long ball which he controlled with a good first touch, then a great strike to beat the keeper. The win is only Hammarby’s second in 9 games.
Clint Dempsey (LM) – Fulham – English Premier League – Dempsey and Fulham defeated Newcastle 1-0 and solidified their 7th place with a great chance of playing the UEFA Europa League next season. The American has been a consistent player for Fulham and will probably remain with the club for next season.
Tim Howard (GK) – Everton – English Premier League – Howard made 3 saves as Everton moved into 5th place with a 3-1 victory against West Ham on Saturday. The great play of Howard has helped Everton as they will have a Europa League spot for next season and still have the FA Cup Final at the end of this month.
Jonathan Spector (D/MF) – West Ham United – English Premier League – Spector played the full second half but West Ham fell to Everton 1-3. The American received a yellow card and had no shots on goal. Now healthy, Spector should have a chance to earn regular playing time next season for the club.
Brad Friedel (GK) – Aston Villa – English Premier League – Friedel made 2 saves as Villa came from behind to draw 1-1 with Middlesbrough. The club is in Europa League spot for next season and Friedel is likely to stay with the club after a solid season.
Maurice Edu (MF) – Rangers – Scottish Premier League – Edu got another start and played the full game for Rangers as they took the lead in the SPL with a 2-1 lead against Aberdeen. He had a shot on goal and has started several games in a row after sitting on the bench for most of the season. While fellow American DaMarcus Beasley has fallen out of favor with Rangers, Edu is starting to hit is stride with the club.
Michael Bradley (RCF) – Borussia Monchengladbach – German Bundesliga – Monchengladbach were dominated 5-0 by Bayer Leverkusen and the club is still 3 points clear of relegation with 1 game left. Bradley had a shot on goal but Leverkusen took control of the match and never let go. Any result next week will ensure Monchengladbach avoids relegation.
Carlos Bocanegra (LB) – Stade Rennais (Rennes) – French Ligue 1 – Bocanegra and Rennes drew with Nantes 1-1 on Sunday. He had one shot on goal and Rennes dominated possession 59-41 in the match. Bocanegra has had a good transition to Ligue 1 and has started and played every game this season.
Oguchi Onyewu (D) – Standard Liege – Belgian Jupiler Pro League – Onyewu and Standard won 1-0 against KAA Gent to finish 2nd in the Belgian Jupiler League. Onyewu will be moving onto another team as his contract with Standard Liege ends after this season and several teams from Ligue 1 and other divisions are interested.
Danny Califf (D) – FC Midtjylland – Danish SAS-Ligaen – Califf played the full game as FC Midtjylland fell to Esbjerg 0-1. The club is currently 4th in the league table. Califf should have a busy summer with the National Team.
Benny Feilhaber (MF) and Jeremiah White (MF) – AGF Aarhus – Danish SAS-Ligaen – White played 67 minutes and Feilhaber played 23 minutes at AGF drew 1-1 with Randers FC. The club is currently 6th in the table.
Michael Parkhurst (D) – FC Nordsjælland – Danish SAS-Ligaen - FC Nordsjælland beat Vejle 4-1 and Parkhurst played the full game. The win puts the club at 31 points and avoids relegation for this season.
