MLS Alums: Weekly roundup

Friedel shines for Aston Villa; Milutinovic on verge of resurfacing?

Brad Friedel (back) was central to Aston Villa's victory over Chelsea. (PA Wire)

2010 FIFA World Cup

The South China Morning Post reported on Oct. 20, that North Korea soccer officials have been contacted by representatives of former MetroStars head coach Bora Milutinovic expressing his interest in the national team's head coaching position. Kim Jong-hun, the current head coach, led North Korea to their second World Cup finals berth earlier this year and still holds the job, but for how long is unclear. Last week, former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson announced that he was not interested in becoming North Korea head coach after several media reports linked him to the job.

UEFA Champions League

Elsewhere around the world

In Australia, in Week 11 of the Hyundai A-League, on Saturday, Oct. 17, the Wellington Phoenix played yet another tie, this time gaining a 1-1 draw at North Queensland Fury. But Wellington came very close to victory, holding a 1-0 lead until five minutes from time when former Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler got the equalizer for the Fury. It was the sixth consecutive tie for Phoenix and their seventh in eight games. Former Revs defender Tony Lochhead played the full 90 for Wellington and picked up a yellow card in the 78th minute. On Sunday, in a top of the table clash, FC Dallas alumnus Victor Sikora's Perth Glory lost 2-1 at Gold Coast United. That victory kept United in the top spot.

In Brazil, in Week 30 of the Campeonato Brasileirao, former MetroStars defender Danilo da Silva did not dress for Internacional's 2-2 tie at Fluminense on Oct. 18.

In Colombia, in Week 13 of the Copa Mustang II, former MetroStars striker Sergio Galvan Rey was a halftime substitute for Atlético Nacional in their 0-0 home tie with Real Cartagena on Oct. 18. In other Sunday action, the Smurf -- Antony de Avila was a 71st-minute substitute for America de Cali in their 1-1 home tie with La Equidad. In a testy affair, de Avila was one of 12 players to receive a yellow card.

In Costa Rica, on Oct. 18, two-team MLS veteran Douglas Sequeira, played the full 90 as Saprissa won 2-1 at home over Santos de Guápas. In other Sunday action, Revolution alumnus William Sunsing was a second-half substitute for Liberia in their 3-2 home win over Alajuelense. Liberia scored two goals in the last five minutes of the game to rally for the win. Former Crew and Fire star Andy Herron came into the game in the second half as Herediano won 2-0 at home over San Carlos. San Jose Clash veteran Mauricio Solis played the full 90 for Herediano. Former MetroStars alumnus Pablo Brenes put in a 65-minute shift as Brujas defeated Puntarenes, 1-0 at home.

In Denmark, on Oct. 17, former LA Galaxy defender Danny Califf missed FC Midtjylland's 1-1 tie at Brondby due to illness. Former Revs defender Michael Parkhurst dressed but did not play as FC Nordsjaelland lost at home to Odense BK, 2-0.

In England, on Oct. 17, former Columbus Crew goalkeeper Brad Friedel made his 198th consecutive EPL start as Aston Villa upset league leaders Chelsea, 2-1 at Villa Park. Friedel, who was slow getting down to a Didier Drogba's drive that gave the Blues the early lead, more than made up for his error in the second half with a series of inspired saves to preserve Villa's 2-1 lead. Ex-Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan, back from World Cup qualifying duty with the U.S. national team, took his customary position on the Villa bench.

In other Saturday action, Wolverhampton Wanderers held Tim Howard and Everton to a 1-1 tie at Goodison Park. The former MetroStars goalkeeper got a yellow card in the 90th minute for retaliation against Wolves' Austrian international Stefan Maeierhofer, who also got a yellow, which quickly turned red as it was his second yellow of the game. Ex-Rapids goalie Marcus Hahnemann was on the bench for Wolves.

On Sunday, Oct. 18, ex-D.C. United skipper Ryan Nelsen was back in the starting lineup for Blackburn Rovers and played the full 90 as Rovers turned over archrivals Burnley, 3-2 at Ewood Park.

In Monday EPL action, former MLS All-Star Clint Dempsey went the distance in Fulham's 2-0 home win over Hull City. Dempsey's international teammate, ex-Red Bulls striker Jozy Altidore, was a late second-half substitute for the Tigers. Former Kansas City Wizards striker Eddie Johnson did not dress for the Cottagers.

A rung down the ladder in The Championship, former Columbus Crew striker Stern John was back in action for Crystal Palace for the first time since suffering a freak elbow injury on Opening Day. John played the last 13 minutes of the Eagles 1-1 draw at Cardiff City. On Oct. 20, John made another second-half appearance in Palace's 2-0 loss at Leicester City.

Further down the English football food chain in League One, ex-Toronto FC midfielder Andy Welsh picked up two assists in Yeovil Town's 3-1 home win over Carlisle United.

In France, on Oct. 17, "Captain America" Carlos Bocanegra missed Stade Rennes 0-0 road tie at Lille due to suspension. Another former Fire defender, Bakary Soumare, played the full 90 as Boulogne posted a 1-1 tie at Le Mans. Fabian Robert scored Boulogne's equalizer in stoppage time.

In Germany, on Oct. 18, former MetroStars midfielder Michael Bradley scored his first Bundesliga goal of the season for Borussia Moenchengladbach, but his goal was too late to spare the Foals from losing 2-1 at reigning champions VfL Wolfsburg. One of the oddities of this game was that all three goals were officially scored in the last minute of the respective halves. Alexander Madlung put Wolfsburg ahead in the 45th minute, while Christian Gentner extended the champions lead in the 90th minute, just before Bradley's consolation strike.

In Bundesliga 2 action on Oct. 17, after returning from World Cup qualifying duty, former FC Dallas marksman Kenny Cooper began the game on the bench for 1860 Munich as the Lions beat MSV Duisburg, 3-1 at home. Cooper made an 11-minute cameo in the second half. Ex-Wizards and Chivas USA striker Matt Taylor dressed but did not play for FSV Frankfurt as they lost 4-1 at Fortuna Dusseldorf on Sunday, Oct. 18.

In Israel, in Week 6 of Ligat Al, former Rapids midfielder Dedi Ben Dayan played the full 90 as Hapoel Tel Aviv tied 2-2 at home with Ashdod on Oct. 17.

In Italy, in Serie A on Oct. 18, ex-Revs coach Walter Zenga saw his Palermo team win its second consecutive game, and gain its first road win of the season, coming back for a 2-1 win at Livorno.

In Mexico, in Week 12 of the Torneo Apertura, on Oct. 17, former MetroStars defender Diego Jimenez put in an 85-minute shift in UAG's 3-1 defeat at Cruz Azul. Ex-FC Dallas defender Duilio Davino played the full 90 as Monterrey went down 2-1 at home to Chiapas. Colorado Rapids alumnus Alain N'Kong was a halftime substitute for Indios de Ciudad Juarez in their 2-0 home defeat to Atlante. Colorado Rapids veteran Daniel Osorno played the full 90 for Atlas. Chivas USA veteran Isaac Romo played 80 minutes in Querétaro's 1-0 win at Atlas. Romo picked up a yellow card in the 45th minute. Another Chivas USA alumnus, Paco Palencia, started for UNAM but came out of the game at halftime as the Pumas lost 1-0 at San Luis.

On Sunday, former MLS Golden Boot winner Carlos Ruiz played 86 minutes of Puebla's 0-0 draw at América.

In Norway, on Oct. 18, three-team MLS veteran Hunter Freeman played the full 90 as IK Start lost 1-0 at home to Aalesunds FK. Ex Fire and Wizards midfielder Khari Stephenson played 79 minutes for Aalesunds. Former FC Dallas defender Clarence Goodson, back from international duty with the U.S. national team, watched this one from the Start bench. Ex-Revs goalkeeper Adin Brown was on the bench for Aalesunds. Former Real Salt Lake defender Willis Forko and two-team MLS veteran Thiago Martins both started for Bodo Glimt in their dramatic 1-1 home tie with Tromso IL, the goals coming in the final two minutes. There was another fantastic finish at SK Brann Bergen, where Troy Perkins' Valerenga won 2-1 on an 89th-minute strike by Bengt Saeternes.

In the Tippeligaen Monday night game, former FC Toronto goalkeeper Kenny Stamatopoulos posted a shutout as his lowly Fredrikstad upset Europa League chasing Odd Grenland 3-0 at home.

In Peru, former D.C. United goalkeeper Jose Carvallo posted his second consecutive shutout as Sporting Cristal tied 0-0 at league leaders Juan Aurich on Oct. 18.

In Poland, former Fire forward Tomasz Frankowski was substituted in the last minute of the game as Jagiellonia Bialystok held on for a 0-0 tie at bottom of the table Zaglebie Lubin on Oct. 18.

In Romania, on Oct. 18, former MLS All-Star Juan Toja played the full 90 and picked up a yellow card as Steaua Bucharest won 2-0 at Politecnica Iasi. Bucharest scored two goals in the last five minutes to get the win.

In Scotland, on Oct. 17, ex-Toronto FC striker Collin Samuel scored a 17th-minute goal to give St. Johnstone the lead over visiting Glasgow Rangers. But the SPL champions rallied on goals by Kris Boyd and Sasa Papac to win 2-1. Real Salt Lake alumnus Kenny Deuchar came into the game for Samuel in the 81st minute. Former Fire midfielder DaMarcus Beasley did not dress for Rangers.

Ex-Revs midfielder Andy Dorman's return to form continued as St. Mirren rallied to beat Falkirk 3-1 on the road. It was the second straight win for the Buddies.

Down a rung in Scottish Division One former Revs striker Paul Keegan dressed but did not play as Airdrie United lost 1-0 at home to Ross County.

In South Africa, in Week 11 of the South African Premiership on Oct. 17, Bulgaria legend and ex-Chicago Fire and D.C. United striker Hristo Stoichkov saw his Mamelodi Sundowns rally to tie Kaizer Chiefs 2-2 at home.

In South Korea, various reports claim that former LA Galaxy defender and Korean soccer legend Hong Myung-bo will be named head coach of South Korea's Olympic soccer team. Hong led South Korea to an impressive quarterfinals finish at the recent 2009 U-20 FIFA World Cup in Egypt, and Korean officials want him to continue his work with the players through the 2012 London Summer Games which is limited to under-23 players plus three overage roster spots.

In Spain, on Oct. 18, Mexico legend and former Dallas Burn striker Hugo Sanchez saw his Almeria side win 2-1 on the road at Málaga. First half goals by Domingo and Fernando Soriano secured Almeria's first away win of the La Liga season.

(Second Half) Performance of the Week

Mark C. Young is an Emmy Award-winning freelance writer/TV producer who has covered several FIFA World Cups and Olympic Games. He is a contributor to Goal.com and also writes for the blog "No Mas."