Americans Abroad

Howard does not dress for Manchester United victory.

By Robert Wagman (in Washington, D.C.)
SoccerTimes

Brian West of Fredrikstad was the only American to score a goal in Europe over the weekend. -- Fredrikstad web site photo --

(Monday, September 20, 2004) -- Several Americans saw weekend action in Europe, but it was one who didn't play tonight who garnered the most attention. Goalkeeper Tim Howard was not in uniform for Manchester United which wasted a one-goal lead, but rallied to defeat Liverpool 2-1 in the English Premier League.

Howard was a sensation in his first year with United, being named the Premier League's best keeper for 2003-04, but he admitted last week that he has been struggling to find his form in the new season. He made glaring and costly errors in a 2-2 draw at Bolton Wanderers September 11 and then again Wednesday in a 2-2 tie at Lyon in France in the European Champions League.

Against Bolton, Howard failed to hold a hard shot from Jay-Jay Okocha in the 55th minute and Kevin Nolan headed the rebound into an empty net. With the game even at 1-1 in stoppage time, Howard dropped a free kick he should have easily handled, then suffered a miscommunication with defender Mikael Silvestre, allowing the ball to sit in the penalty area before Bolton's Les Ferdinand put it away for a 2-1 lead.

Fortunately, David Bellion was able to respond for Man. U. with another goal in injury time to earn a point on the road.

In Lyon, Howard he could not hold a cross from Pernambucano Juninho, leaving the ball for Cristiano Cris to gratefully put away for a 1-0 lead in the 35th minute.

After the match Wednesday, United manager Alex Ferguson hinted Howard might be headed for the bench and tonight, Roy Carroll was in goal with Spaniard Lopez Ricardo serving as his backup.

"It could be that the second season is always a test for everyone,'' Ferguson said of Howard to Associated Press. "They go through a period when they're flying high. They don't see the bad days ahead. When you have that blip, the only way to get out of it is to come out of it altogether. And that's what we've done with Tim.'"

Defender Jonathan Spector also did not dress for United, the 18-year-old American apparently destined top join the reserve team with the return of Rio Ferdinand and Gabriel Heinze from injury.

While Howard and Spector were on the sidelines, John O'Brien, one of the stars of the highly successful U.S. 2002 World Cup effort, finally was back wearing a Ajax uniform in the Netherlands. For the first time since February 8, O'Brien was fit enough to play the first half of a reserve match at right back.

O'Brien's long recuperation from a series of leg injuries was set back with a hamstring strain suffered in training to prepare for this season. A week ago, he seemed ready, but team doctors held him out and then limited him to 45 minutes with the reserves. Yesterday, Ajax (3-0-2, 11 points) moved into second place in the Eredivisie with an easy 5-0 win at FC Den Bosch.

PSV Eindhoven (4-0-1, 13) took over first place in the Eredivisie with a 3-0 victory over NEC Nijmegen, but U.S. midfielder DaMarcus Beasley was given the day off by PSV coach Guus Hiddink.

Beasley was lackluster in visiting Eindhoven's 1-0 Champions League setback to EPL-leading Arsenal Tuesday, possibly a sign the slight American has become worn down by the high number of matches he has played since transferring from Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire in July

"We have to be careful with our players." Hiddink said.

The winning goal for Rovers (1-3-2, 5) was scored by substitute Matt Jansen who rarely played under former manager Graeme Souness. Friedel was not very busy, denying Aiyegbeni Yakubu, who was put through cleanly, for his most difficult save of the afternoon.

Friedel was involved in the most controversial play of the day. Late in the game, Ricardo Fuller came in alone on Friedel who slid out to grab the ball and send the Jamaican international flying. Portsmouth demanded a penalty kick but, instead, referee Mark Clattenburg cautioned Fuller for diving.

U.S. midfielder Claudio Reyna put in a well-rounded effort for 90 minutes, giving Manchester City (2-3-1, 7) a much-needed 2-1 decision over cellar-dwelling host Crystal Palace (0-5-1, 1) in a match that ended in heavy rain at Selhurst Park.

Reyna worked hard while Nicolas Anelka scored both City goals, one on a penalty kick. Later, with Palace threatening, Reyna turned to playing solid defense.

Manchester manager Kevin Keegan's job seemed safe for the moment, but he could be gone if the Blues don't soon live up to the high expectations for the club.

U.S. defender Carlos Bocanegra and striker Brian McBride did not play for Fulham in a 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion, a rough match which had three players shown red cards, two from Fulham.

Bocanegra suffered a hamstring strain in training and is listed as day-to-day. McBride has been coming off the bench in the second half, a role Tomasz Radzinski filled Saturday.

Paul Robinson earned another clean sheet in goal for Tottenham Hotspur which played a 0-0 draw with Chelsea. U.S. keeper Kasey Keller assumed his usual spot on Spurs' bench.

The only goal Hahnemann gave up was after a poorly-executed offside trap allowed Nicky Southall to break through alone before centering to open Darren Byfield for the tally. U.S. midfielder Bobby Convey was on the bench, but did not see action as Reading (6-3, 18) moved into a tie for second place, one point behind Wigan (5-0-4, 19).

U.S. midfielder Eddie Lewis went the distance for Preston North End (3-5-1, 10) which fell 3-1 to Sunderland. Sunderland (4-3-2, 14) remained undefeated at home and dominated the match with Preston only getting on the scoreboard with a penalty kick in the 39th minute.

U.S. defender Greg Vanney has played an integral role in Bastia's tight defense. Against Lyon, he played 90 minutes and received a yellow card in the 66th for a hard tackle.

On Saturday, Onyewu contributed a strong defensive effort in a 1-0 shutout of Lokeren in the first-division Jupiler League. Onyweu was issued a yellow card in the 75th minute for time wasting. His third caution of the year means he will be suspended for Saturday's match at third-place LaLouviere, the club he played for last season.

Standard is in 10th place at 2-2-2 with eight points.

American midfielder Brian West scored in the 10th minute for Fredrikstad in a 1-1 draw with Stabaek. American defender Wade Barrett, back from injury, played 90 minutes for Fredrikstad.

Jeremiah White, the former Wake Forest University striker, reportedly has signed with Panserraikos of the Greek second division. White started 2003-04 with OFK Beograd, but left the Serbian club before the end of the season after various personal problems. He had a tryout with Feyenoord in the Netherlands, but was not offered a contract.

Robert Wagman is a SoccerTimes senior correspondent. E-mail Robert Wagman.