MLS Alums: Weekly roundup
Aston Villa's Friedel appears in record 200th consecutive EPL game
UEFA Champions League
Former Fire star DaMarcus Beasley dressed but did not play for Rangers as the Scottish giants tied 1-1 at Unirea Urziceni (Romania) in Group G action on Nov. 4. Desperate for a win to revive their slim hopes of advancing to the knockout rounds, Rangers took a 1-0 lead on a Lee McCulloch goal in the 78th minute, but a Marius Onofreas equalizer two minutes from time left Rangers at the bottom of the group with two games remaining and needing to win out and get help to qualify for the next stage.
UEFA Europa League
In match day four of Europa League action on Nov. 5, Revs alumnus Clint Dempsey played the full 90 as Fulham lost 2-1 at AS Roma in Group E action. The Cottagers took the lead on a Diomansy Kamara penalty kick in the 19th minute, but had to play most of the second half with only 10 men. Roma pressed home their advantage scoring goals in the 69th and 76th minutes before another Fulham player, Paul Konchesky, got his marching orders as well in stoppage time. Former FC Dallas and Kansas City Wizards forward Eddie Johnson did not dress for Fulham.At Goodison Park, Everton were no match for Benfica (Portugal) again. Last month Benfica trounced Tim Howard and the Toffees 5-0. On Thursday, the Lisbon giants were impressive again, winning 2-0.
In a Group C clash, Colorado Rapids alumnus Dedi Ben Dayan played the full 90 as Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israel) extended their lead at the top of the group with a 3-0 win at Rapid Vienna (Austria.) Former MLS All-Star Juan Toja was in the starting XI for Steaua Bucharest (Romania) as they dropped a 3-1 decision at Fenerbahce (Turkey).
Elsewhere Around the World
In Argentina, in the Week 11 of the Torneo Apertura, former Los Angeles Galaxy defender Eduardo Dominguez played the full 90 and scored in the fifth minute as Huracán beat Rosario Central 1-0 at home on Oct. 28. Former DC United Designated Player Marcelo Gallardo did not dress for River Plate's 2-1 win at Argentinos Juniors on Oct. 29, but was back in the starting lineup for Sunday's 1-0 home loss to Lanús. On Tuesday, Nov. 3, in Week 12 action, Dominguez was forced to leave Huracán's 3-0 loss at Colón de Santa Fe after just 16 minutes due to injury.In Australia, in Week 13 of the Hyundai A-League, on Nov. 1, the Wellington Phoenix's seven-game unbeaten streak ended at league leaders Sydney United. Former Revs defender Tony Lochhead played the full 90 for the Phoenix in the 3-0 loss. FC Dallas alumnus Victor Sikora did not dress for Perth Glory in their 2-1 home defeat to Melbourne Victory. Wellington bounced back on Nov. 4, with a 3-0 home win over the Newcastle Jets. Lochhead played the full 90 for the Phoenix.
In Bolivia, in Copa Libertadores playoff action on Nov. 4, former MetroStars midfielder Joselito Vaca left the game in the 24th minute as Oriente Petrolero tied 1-1 at Blooming. That result gave OP a 2-1 aggregate win to advance.
In Brazil, in Week 33 of the Campeonato Brasileirao, former MetroStars defender Danilo da Silva dressed but did not play as Internacional lost 1-0 at home to Botafogo on Nov. 1.
In Colombia, in Week 16 of the Copa Mustang II, former MetroStars striker Sergio Galvan Rey dressed but did not play for Atlético Nacional in their 2-1 win at Envigado on Oct. 31. In Sunday action, the Smurf -- Antony de Avila -- was back in the starting XI for America de Cali in their 2-1 home loss to Deportes Quindío.
In Costa Rica, on Oct. 31, two-team MLS veteran Douglas Sequeira played the full 90 as Saprissa lost 2-1 at Cartagines. In other Saturday action, Revs alumnus William Sunsing and former LA Galaxy defender Michael Umana both started for Liberia in their 1-1 tie at Pérez Zeledón. San Jose Clash veteran Mauricio Solis played the full 90 for Herediano in their 0-0 tie at Ramonense.
In Denmark, on Oct. 31, former LA Galaxy defender Danny Califf did not dress for FC Midtjylland in the Wolves 2-2 tie at AGF Aarhus. Former Revs defender Michael Parkhurst played the full 90 for FC Nordsjaelland as the Wild Tigers lost 1-0 at home to Brondby on Sunday, Nov. 1.
In England, on Oct. 31, former Columbus Crew goalkeeper Brad Friedel played in his 200th consecutive EPL game in Aston Villa's 1-1 tie at Everton. In a reunion of a trio of former MLS Goalkeepers of the Year, Tim Howard manned the nets as usual for the Toffees, and Brad Guzan was on the bench for Villa. In other Saturday action, former Revs striker Clint Dempsey scored for the second consecutive game, bagging Fulham's third goal in the Cottagers 3-1 home win over Liverpool. Former Kansas City Wizards striker Eddie Johnson did not dress for Fulham. Former Red Bulls striker Jozy Altidore was a 59th-minute substitute for Hull City as the Tigers season of turmoil continued with a 2-0 defeat at Burnley. Six minutes after coming into the game, Altidore picked up a yellow card. Former D.C. United skipper Ryan Nelsen was turned inside out by Dimitar Berbatov as the Bulgarian international scored Manchester United's first goal in their 2-0 home win over Nelsen's Blackburn Rovers.
Ex-Rapids goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann took his customary seat on the Wolves bench as the black and gold rallied from a two-goal deficit to tie 2-2 at Stoke City. Defender Joey Craddock scored both goals for the Wolves. On Nov. 3, Friedel's Aston Villa went down 2-1 at West Ham United. The Hammers scored goals in stoppage time at the end of both halves. Guzan was on the Villa bench.
A rung down the ladder in The Championship former New England Revolution assistant and current Plymouth Argyle head coach Paul Mariner saw his struggling Pilgrims continue their mini-revival, winning 1-0 at Middlesbrough on Oct. 31 in a game that saw former Manchester United and Scotland star Gordon Strachan make his debut as Middlesbrough manager. Also on Saturday, ex-Columbus Crew striker Stern John was a second-half substitute for Crystal Palace in the Eagles 1-1 tie at Preston North End. On Tuesday, Nov. 3, John made his first start for Palace since Opening Day in the 1-1 tie at London rivals Queens' Park Rangers.
Further down the English football food chain in League One, ex-Toronto FC midfielder Andy Welsh saw his team's upswing in fortunes come to a sudden stop as Yeovil Town lost 4-0 at league leaders Leeds United on October 31. Walsh put in a 73-minute shift and picked up a yellow card.
In France, on Oct. 31, former Fire defender Bakary Soumare played the full 90 as Boulogne lost 2-1 at home to AS Nancy-Lorraine. Ex-Fire defender Carlos Bocanegra played the full 90 and picked up a yellow card as Stade Rennes gave up a trio of second-half goals to drop a 3-0 home decision against Valenciennes.
In Germany, on Oct. 31, former MetroStars midfielder Michael Bradley played the full 90 as Borussia Moenchengladbach won their first Bundesliga game since Aug. 28, and handed Hamburg their first loss of the season in a 3-2 win at Hamburg's HSH Nordbank Arena.
In 2.Bundesliga action on Oct. 30, FSV Frankfurt went back to their losing ways, dropping a 1-0 decision at FC Union Berlin. Ex-Wizards and Chivas USA striker Matt Taylor dressed but did not play for Frankfurt. In Sunday action, former FC Dallas marksman Kenny Cooper had a 15-minute second half cameo as 1860 Munich lost 3-1 at home to Kaiserslautern. That result completed a tough week for the Lions, who lost 3-0 at Schalke 04 in the German Cup on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Cooper was a starter in that game, playing 56 minutes before being substituted.
In Israel, in Week 8 of Ligat Al, former Rapids midfielder Dedi Ben Dayan played the full 90 as Hapoel Tel Aviv beat rivals Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-0 at home on Nov. 1.
In Italy, in Serie A on Oct. 29, ex-Revs coach Walter Zenga saw his Palermo team go down at league leaders Inter Milan, but not without a fight. In a remarkable game, Inter jumped out to a 4-0 halftime lead. But Zenga's halftime team talk certainly fired up his troops. Palermo scored three goals to pull within one with 23 minutes remaining. But the champions steadied the ship and sealed the game in the 83rd minute to finish on the winning end of an eight-goal thriller, 5-3. On Nov. 1, it was a more traditional Serie A encounter back in Sicily as Zenga's side tied 0-0 at home with Genoa.
In Mexico, in Week 14 of the Torneo Apertura, on Oct. 30, former MetroStars defender Diego Jimenez went the distance as UAG blew a two-goal lead at Tigres to tie 2-2. In other Saturday action, Colorado Rapids alumnus Alain N'Kong was back in the starting lineup for Indios de Ciudad Juarez in their 2-0 home defeat to Puebla. Former MLS Golden Boot winner Carlos Ruiz came out of the game in stoppage time. Another Rapids veteran, Daniel Osorno, played the full 90 and picked up a yellow card as 10-man Atlas held on for a 1-1 tie at home to Pachuca. Two-team MLS alumnus Ramon Nunez dressed but did not play as Cruz Azul beat Atlante 3-1 at home. In a San Luis-Monterrey game that featured three goals and three red cards, ex-FC Dallas defender Duilio Davino's Monterrey came out ahead on both counts: winning the game 3-0, and receiving two reds to San Luis one.
In Sunday action, Chivas USA veteran Isaac Romo played the full 90 as Querétaro went down 2-0 at Toluca. Another Chivas USA alumus, Paco Palencia, played the full 90 and picked up a yellow card as the Pumas tied 1-1 at Santos.
In Week 15 action on Nov. 4, Diego Jimenez scored UAG's goal in a 1-1 home tie with San Luis. Carlos Ruiz went the distance as Puebla beat Atlas, 1-0, at home. Daniel Osorno played the full 90 for Atlas. Other winners on Wednesday were Duilio Davino, as his Monterrey side won 2-1 at home over Santos, and Isaac Romo, whose Querétaro team won 1-0 at home over Tigres. Ramon Nunez put in a 20-minute second-half shift as Cruz Azul won 3-1 at Pachuca. Alain N'Kong put in a 50-minute shift as Indios tied 2-2 at Chivas.
In Norway, on Nov. 1, on the last day of the league season, former Toronto FC goalkeeper Kenny Stamatopoulos posted a shutout as Fredrikstad FK demolished bottom of the table FC Lyn Oslo in the Norwegian capital. In other Sunday action, three-team MLS veteran Hunter Freeman and former FC Dallas defender Clarence Goodson, both played the full 90 as IK Start beat Valerenga 2-0, with Goodson scoring the second goal. Former D.C. United goalkeeper Troy Perkins manned the nets for Valerenga. Ex-Fire and Wizards midfielder Khari Stephenson went the distance as Aalesunds tied 1-1 at home with Stromsgodset. Former Real Salt Lake defender Willis Forko played the full 90 for Bodo Glimt in their 1-1 home tie with Odd Grenland.
In Peru, on Oct. 31, the three-game shutout streak of former D.C. United goalkeeper Jose Carvallo was snapped as Sporting Cristal lost 2-0 at Inti Gas Deportes.
In Poland, former Fire forward Tomasz Frankowski scored Jagiellonia Bialystok's wining goal in the 1-0 home win over Polonia Warsaw on Oct. 31. His goal came in the 59th minute.
In Portugal, on Oct. 30, former D.C. United starlet Freddy Adu dressed but did not play for Belenenses in their 1-1 tie at FC Porto.
In Romania, on Nov. 1, former MLS All-Star Juan Toja played the full 90 as Steaua Bucharest won 1-0 at Timisoara. That victory moved Steaua into a four-way tie atop the standings.
In Scotland, on Oct. 31, ex-Toronto FC striker Collin Samuel scored St. Johnstone's first goal as the Johnnies won their first game of the SPL season, a 3-1 triumph over Falkirk. Samuel's sixth goal of the season came just one minute and 23 seconds into the game. Real Salt Lake alumnus Kenny Deuchar did not dress for the Johnnies. In other Saturday action, former Revs midfielder Andy Dorman played the full 90 and picked up a yellow card as St. Mirren lost 2-0 at home to Hamilton Academical.
On Nov. 1, referee Mike Tumility abandoned Rangers' game at Dundee United at halftime due to torrential rain making the pitch unplayable. Former Fire midfielder DaMarcus Beasley was on the bench for Rangers, who led 1-0 when the game was called.
Down a rung in Scottish Division One, former Revs striker Paul Keegan made a six-minute cameo as bottom-of-the table Airdrie United won their first game of the season, a 3-1 home triumph over Ayr United on Oct. 31.
In South Africa, on Nov. 1, Bulgaria legend and former D.C. United and Chicago Fire striker Hristo Stoichkov saw his Brazilians live up their nickname as the Sundowns beat rivals Jomo Cosmos, 3-1 at home. Also on Sunday, two-team MLS alumnus Dipsy Selolwane's Ajax Town tied 0-0 at home with Golden Arrows.
On Nov. 4, Stoichkov's Sundowns ran their winning streak to three games with a 1-0 win at Moroka Swallows. Also on Wednesday, Selolwane picked up a yellow card as Ajax won 1-0 at Jomo Cosmos.
In Spain, on Nov. 1, Mexico legend and former Dallas Burn striker Hugo Sanchez saw his Almeria side lose 2-1 at Real Zaragoza. All the goals came in a nine-minute first-half stretch. The loss completed a challenging week for Sanchez, who saw his side crash out of the Copa del Rey 2-1 at Second Division Hercules on Oct. 28.
In Venezuela, in Week 7 of the Torneo Apertura, defending champion Caracas FC won 2-1 at Estudiantes de Mérida on Sunday, Nov. 1. Former Red Bulls defender Gabriel Cicero was back in the starting lineup for the champions and played the full 90. Cicero also went the distance in Wednesday's 0-0 draw at Deportivo Tachira in Week 8 action.
(Milestone) Performance of the Week
It wasn't a stellar week for Aston Villa. The second city's No. 1 team gained a tie at Everton on Saturday, Oct. 31, and then lost at West Ham on Tuesday. Neither result will have pleased Villa's goalkeeper Brad Friedel. The former Columbus Crew goalkeeper is rarely satisfied with anything less than victory. But in a week in which Friedel gave up three goals in two games and his team could only manage one point from six, Friedel's record 200th consecutive EPL appearance (at Everton) cannot pass without being honored. It's an extraordinary achievement and earns the (Milestone) POTW.
