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U.S. men's schedule, results
Cherundolo, Hannover put distance on relegation zone by blanking Schalke.
Friedel, Blackburn best Keller, Spurs in
battle for Europe.
Friedel, Rovers fail to capitalize on Everton loss, tie West Brom 1-1.
Friedel named to English Premier League "Best 11."
Keller provides heroics, but Spurs still suffer fatal 2-0 loss to Manchester City.
Lewis shines again, leading North End past Sheffield United 2-0.
Friedel leads Rovers to 1-0 decision over Charlton in more ways than one.
Keller boots Tottenham to past Birmingham City 2-1; Friedel has easy time.
Lewis continues strong play, assists late goal to give Preston a 1-1 draw with Portsmouth.
On separate continents in disparate leagues, American goalkeepers shine in shutouts.
Walker returns to Chile and quickly minds Colo Colo net.
O'Brien returns to Ajax lineup; Friedel logs another strong effort.
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Americans Abroad Hahnemann, Reading rue early end to season.By Robert Wagman
(Tuesday, May 20, 2003) -- The European season is fast winding to a close and things came to end sooner than Reading and American goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann had hoped. In England's First Division, Reading was eliminated from the in the promotion playoff semifinals 3-1on aggregate to Wolverhampton following Wednesday's 1-0 home loss. Reading was hopeful it could reverse Saturday's 2-1 loss by coming home. Hahnemann played well, but Reading's season long problem in generating offense came to the front again. Hahnemann kept the match scoreless with a fine save on Colin Cameron, but he could do nothing with a 15-yard angled drive from substitute Alex Rae in the 81st minute. At the other end, Wolves goalkeeper Matt Murray twice made stunning reaction saves. In the Premier League, Blackburn Rovers officials said they will rebuff any attempt to lure United States keeper Brad Friedel away from Ewood Park. In recent days, the media has been full of speculation that both Manchester United and Arsenal were going to come calling. The two powerful clubs are said to be in the market for a new keepers as doubts persist over the futures of Fabien Barthez at Man. U. and David Seaman at Arsenal. Today, ESPN.com reported Man. U. made an offer to Major League Soccer for MetroStars goalkeeper Tim Howard. Blackburn chief executive John Williams rejects the speculation about Friedel, insisting his long-term future is with Rovers. He recently signed a four-year extension to his contract. "Brad is not for sale," Williams told reporters. "We haven't had any enquiries from anyone for him and we wouldn't welcome any either because we don't want to sell him." Still, it remains to be seen if cash-strapped Blackburn could reject a big money offer for Friedel. The European season might be in its final matches, but at least things are exciting for one American -- defender John O'Brien of Ajax Amsterdam Ajax has been a race to stay ahead of third-place Feyenoord in order to capture the second of the Dutch Eredivisie's two European Champions League berths next season. Over the past weeks, both Ajax and Feyenoord Rotterdam have continued to win and Ajax has maintained a one-point advantage in the standings. PSV Eindhoven has occupied first place all season, but lost Sunday 3-1 at Feyenoord. Ajax (24-3-5, 77 points) destroyed De Graafschap 7-1 to pull within three points of Eindhoven (25-2-5) and maintain its one-point lead on Feyenoord (24-4-4) with two matches remaining Recovering from a foot injury, O'Brien sat on the bench, but did not play for a second consecutive outing. Ajax has won seven in a row since losing at Eindhoven 2-0 on March 23. In Germany, Hannover 96, with American Steve Cherundolo on the back line, is safe from relegation from the Bundesliga after Jiri Stajner's goal in stoppage time provided a 2-2 draw with visiting Borussia Mönchengladbach. Cherundolo had a good match as Hannover hung tough defensively. Hannover (11-15-7, 40) is 13th place with one match to go. Four points above the relegation zone, without the point from the tie, Hannover would have gone into Sunday's finale at home with Bielefeld at risk of being demoted. In a match-up of the league's bottom two teams, both who will be relegated, U.S. defender Gregg Berhalter helped set up the winning goal for last place Energie Cottbus which recorded a 2-1 decision over FC Nürnberg which was reduced to 10 men in the 57th minute. Playing in the middle, Berhalter sent a cross in the 74th minute to Andrzej Juskowiak whose header was saved by Nürnberg keeper Darius Kampa. Berhalter's corner went to Marko Topic whose cross found Juskowiak who didn't miss. Berhalter has signed a long-term deal, extending through 2006, to stay at Cottbus. "Gregg Berhalter is not only a perfect fit due to his sportive performances, but also because of his character," Cottbus manager Eduard Geyer told Kicker magazine. "I am very happy that also in the future we are able to build our defense around him." In California, U.S. defender Tony Sanneh whose Bundesliga season was ended in midseason by injury, reports that his recovery from a chronically inflamed nerve in his back is progressing slowly. Additionally, he recently had his tonsils out to prevent reoccurring sinus infections. "They wanted me to clear my body of infections which could be hampering the healing progress," he reported by e-mail. "I am without pain at the moment, but I have not tried to running a while. I will try to start strengthening in two weeks and jogging after four and hopefully I will be playing in six." In 2 Bundesliga action, St. Pauli, with American Cory Gibbs playing in the midfield, easily defeated MSV Duisburg 4-0. Still, St. Pauli is headed for relegation to the Regionalliga, so it was surprising this week when the team announced that it had extended Gibbs' contract through 2004 at 2 Bundesliga wage levels. The media speculation is that if Gibbs enjoys a good summer with the U.S. national team, he can be transferred to a 2 Bundesliga team for a nice profit. FC Union Berlin is said to be one club that is interested. There were no Americans playing in the French Cup, but in a midweek friendly, Americam Joe Cannon started in goal for Lens against CS Sedan-Ardennes and played the first half giving up a goal in a 2-0 loss. In Chile, American keeper Jonny Walker and Colo Colo had a fairly easy time at home against San Felipe, winning 4-2. Walker gave up an early goal on a Fabian Munoz header and later a penalty kick by Munoz, but otherwise had a generally uneventful day. He made nice saves on Munoz and on Ricardo Viveros. Colo Colo, with 23 points, tied for first in Group 4 and fourth overall, qualified for playoffs that start after next weekend's league finales. In Denmark, American defender Wade Barrett played the final five minutes of AGF's 2-1 win over SIF. AGF (9-12-7, 34) is ninth in the 12-team first division and two points above 11th place and the relegation zone with three matches remaining. Robert Wagman is a SoccerTimes senior correspondent and can be e-mailed at bob@soccertimes.com. Gary Davidson is a SoccerTimes managing editor and can be e-mailed at editor@soccertimes.com. |
