|
|
Americans Abroad Convey gets starting nod for Reading in loss to Plymouth.
SoccerTimes (Sunday, August 7, 2005) -- American midfielder Bobby Convey returned to Reading this season determined to show manager Steve Coppell he was ready to become a starter. Convey was in the starting 11 for the club yesterday, but the result was disappointing, a 2-1 home loss to Plymouth in the opener for both teams in the second-tier English Coca-Cola Division. Convey's start was partially the result of injuries to five Reading players, including Icelandic midfielder Brynjar Gunnarsson. Convey did not play badly. Two minutes into the second half, he sent a precise corner kick to unmarked Glen Little who put his header just over the crossbar. Convey was replaced in the 78th minute by Stephen Hunt, who arrived in the offseason as a free transfer from Brentford. He is expected to compete with Convey for a starter's role. American goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann, who is just settling in after spending almost six weeks with the United States men at the Gold Cup, was solid in goal for Reading, but was beaten for the game-winner in stoppage time. Early, Hahnemann did well to stop a well-placed free kick from Paul Wotton, but there was little he could do little to save a header from veteran striker Micky Evans to put Plymouth ahead 1-0 in the 21st minute. He made a strong save of a Akos Buzsaky shot early in the second half. Leroy Lita evened the score for Reading in the 54th minute, but in injury time, Buzsaky's free-kick was not cleared. Former Everton striker Nick Chadwick pushed it past Hahnemann from among a knot of players in front of the net for the decisive tally. United States midfielder Eddie Lewis went the distance on the left wing for a revamped Leeds United as his new team won its season opener 2-1 over visiting Millwall at Elland Road. Leeds got off to a quick start with a first half goal from Northern Ireland international David Healy. Millwall came back, but Healey's spot kick in the 78th sealed the win. Lewis had a sound match sending in several quality crosses while defending well, especially in the second half. American defender Frankie Simek got his Sheffield Wednesday career off to an interesting start, drawing a yellow card in the first three minutes of what ended up as a 0-0 opening-day draw at Stoke City. Stoke's Gerry Taggart was sent off after just 13 minutes, but Wednesday showed little offense in a dull match. Simek, who came up through the Arsenal system, played last season on loan to both Bournemouth in the third division and Queens Park Rangers of the second tier. Having signed a three-year contract with Sheffield, he had a good scoring opportunity late, but shot high and wide. In the Premier League, Fulham, still smarting from its 4-1 loss to the Major League Soccer All-Stars, won its final preseason match 3-1 over Panionios of Greece. U.S. striker Brian McBride scored once and came close several other times as he started and made a fine showing. After hitting the goal frame once and having another shot stopped by the Panionios keeper Martin Vaniak, McBride scored with a well-placed header at the start of the second half. In the 46th minute, Canadian international Thomaz Radzinski crossed to McBride, whose sharp header beat Vaniak from about 12 yards out. McBride came out in the 67th minute to an appreciative round of applause from the Craven Cottage fans. U.S. defender Carlos Bocanegra, who was roasted by some in the English media for his play against the MLS All-Stars, was held out of game by Fulham manager Chris Coleman. There has been speculation in the media that Bocanegra, who started against the MLS side in Columbus, Ohio, might be at an end of his time with Fulham. In another Premiership preseason match, Blackburn Rovers looked sharp in a 4-0 victory over RCD Espanyol of Spain. U.S. keeper Brad Friedel had it easy for Rovers, not having to make a save until the 84th minute.
Robert Wagman is a SoccerTimes senior correspondent. E-mail Robert Wagman. |
