Americans Abroad

Onyewu scores in stoppage time for Málaga to salvage Copa del Rey draw.

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

(Wednesday, December 19, 2012) -- United States defender Oguchi Onyewu scored a huge goal deep into added time, giving visiting Málaga CF a 1-1 draw with SD Eibar last night in the first leg of a quarterfinal series in Spain's Copa del Rey.

Three minutes into stoppage time, Onyewu, who was issued a yellow card in the 14th minute, registered the equalizer with the second leg of the series next Tuesday at Málaga.

Onyewu did not dress Saturday when Málaga recorded a 2-0 road victory over Sevilla in La Liga.

U.S. striker Jozy Altidore found net again for AZ Alkmaar, scoring the club's second goal in a 4-2 win over FC Dordrecht to advance from the Round of 16 of KNVB Becker Cup in the Netherlands. As with his two goals in the Dutch Eredivisie Saturday, the goal came on an impressive run into the box and a sharp drive to beat the goalkeeper. It was Altidore's 15th strike in all competitions and third in four days.

Altidore scored both goals Saturday to lead Alkmaar to edge PEC Zwolle 2-1. Both goals were similar. In the second minutes, Altidore ran onto a pass and held off both a defender and keeper Diederik Boer to turn and send a left-footer into an open net from about six yards.

In the 33rd minute, he broke free and beat the keeper for a 2-0 advantage.

Altidore had not scored since November 10. His quick start this season reportedly put him on the radar of a number of large clubs looking for scoring help, but those rumors died when he went into his month-long slump. Transfer rumors might again heat up.

When U.S. defender Carlos Bocanegra injured a hamstring in the U.S. friendly against Russia in November, it was estimated he would be out for six-to eight weeks. Now, just over a month later, he is back in action, going 90 minutes on Sunday and receiving a yellow card for Racing Santander, which dropped its sixth straight 1-0 loss to Sabadell in Spain's second division.

In the English Premier League, American Brad Guzan, whom is clearly Aston Villa's first choice keeper, turned in a sterling seven-save performance in a 3-1 upset of Liverpool to stretch its Premier League unbeaten streak to five matches (2-0-3).

American defender Eric Lichaj went 90 minutes for Villa.

U.S. keeper Tim Howard also had a strong match, making four saves for Everton in a 1-1 draw with Stoke City.

U.S. defender Geoff Cameron went 90 minutes, while U.S. midfielder Maurice Edu did not dress for Stoke.

U.S. attacker Clint Dempsey had an unsatisfying start for Tottenham Hotspur in a 1-0 victory Sunday over Swansea City.

Dempsey was ineffective and was pulled from the match in the 70th minute, five minutes before Spurs scored. American Brad Friedel was on the Spurs bench as the backup keeper.

In the second division English League Championship, American defender Zak Whitbread was the only American to play, going 90 minutes for Leicester City in its 1-0 loss to Millwall.

American defender Tim Ream dressed, but did not play for Bolton Wanderers, while injured defender Jonathan Spector was inactive and defender Will Packwood did not dress for Birmingham City. Irish-American striker Conor Doyle dressed, but did not play for Derby County, while American forward Robbie Findley did not dress for Nottingham Forest.

In the third division League One, American defender Frank Simek played 90 minutes for Carlisle United in a 2-1 loss to Shrewsbury Town.

American midfielder Robbie Rogers dressed, but did not play for Stevenage while American forward Mike Grella dressed, but did not play for Scunthorpe United.

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