MLS Alums: Weekly roundup
Nelsen rallies Blackburn to win ahead of New Zealand's playoff
2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying
New Zealand head coach Ricki Herbert named two MLS alumni, Ryan Nelsen (ex-D.C. United defender) and Tony Lochhead (ex-New England Revolution defender) to his squad for Saturday's winner take all playoff second leg showdown with Bahrain in Wellington. In the first leg, played last month in Manama, the teams tied 0-0. If the Kiwis win, they will secure their first trip to the World Cup Finals since 1982.Costa Rica head coach Rene Simoes also named a pair of MLS alumni to his 32-man squad for the Ticos upcoming playoff series with Uruguay, Michael Umana (ex-LA Galaxy defender) and Douglas Sequeira (ex-Chivas USA, Real Salt Lake defender).
Former MetroStars head coach Carlos Queiroz sparked outrage in the Real Madrid corridors of power when he named Madrid's injured superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to his Portugal squad for the upcoming World Cup playoff games with Bosnia-Herzegovina. Ronaldo, who has not played since the last round of World Cup qualifying last month due to an ankle injury, would only be used by Queiroz in an emergency, or as the coach put it, "just for a few minutes."
U.S. national team
On Nov. 9, U.S. national team coach Bob Bradley named nine MLS alumni to his 22-man squad for the upcoming games at Slovakia on Nov. 14, and at Denmark on Nov. 18: Brad Guzan, Marcus Hahnemann, Troy Perkins, Carlos Bocanegra, Clarence Goodson, Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore and Eddie Johnson.
Elsewhere around the world
In Argentina, in the Week 13 of the Torneo Apertura, former D.C. United Designated Player Marcelo Gallardo played the full 90 for River Plate in their 2-1 loss at Newell's Old Boys on Nov. 8. In a game that featured nine yellow cards, Gallardo was the first player to fall foul of the referee, getting his card in the ninth minute.In Australia, in Week 13 of the Hyundai A-League, on Nov. 8, former Revs defender Tony Lochhead played the full 90 for Wellington Phoenix in their 1-1 home tie with Perth Glory. FC Dallas alumnus Victor Sikora did not dress for the Glory.
In Bolivia, in Sudamericana Libertadores playoff action on Nov. 7, former MetroStars midfielder Joselito Vaca missed Oriente Petrolero's 2-0 loss at San Jose due to injury.
In Colombia, in Week 17 of the Copa Mustang II, former MetroStars striker Sergio Galvan Rey made a seven-minute cameo as Atlético Nacional tied 0-0 at home with Independiente Medellin on Nov. 7. In other Saturday action, "El Pitufo" (the Smurf), Antony de Avila, did not dress for America de Cali in their 2-1 loss at Deportes Tolima.
In Costa Rica, on Nov. 8 in the Torneo de Invierno, two-team MLS veteran Andy Herron scored the 85th-minute goal that proved the difference as Herediano beat Universidad, 1-0 at home. San Jose Clash veteran Mauricio Solis played the full 90 for Herediano. In other Saturday action, Revs alumnus William Sunsing came into the game at halftime for Liberia in their 3-2 home loss to Cartagines.
In Denmark, on Nov. 8, former Revs defender Michael Parkhurst played the full 90 for FC Nordsjaelland as the Wild Tigers won 1-0 at Sonderjyske. Normally employed in the center of the back four, Parkhurst switched to right back on Sunday. LA Galaxy alumnus Danny Califf did not dress for FC Midtjylland in the Wolves' 2-1 home win over Randers FC.
In England, on Saturday, Nov. 7, former D.C. United skipper Ryan Nelsen scored Blackburn Rovers' second goal (and his second-ever for Rovers), as Sam Allardyce's men rallied to beat Portsmouth 3-1 at Ewood Park. In an early season relegation battle, Rovers were booed off their home pitch when trailing 1-0 at halftime, but Jason Roberts scored a brace, a goal on either side of Nelsen's rare strike. In other Saturday action, Brad Friedel and Aston Villa rebounded from their midweek loss at West Ham by demolishing Bolton Wanderers 5-1 at Villa Park. Brad Guzan was on the bench for Villa. Ex-Rapids goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann took his customary seat on the Wolves bench as the black and gold were simply outclassed at home by resurgent Arsenal, the Gunners crushing Wolves, 4-1.
In Sunday action, beleaguered Hull City boss Phil Brown rang the changes in his starting lineup for the visit of Stoke City, a move that saw former Red Bulls striker Jozy Altidore make his first EPL start since the Birmingham City game on September 19. Altidore was a lively presence on the Tigers front line as Hull rallied from a one-goal deficit to win 2-1 for a vital three points and reportedly save Brown's job (at least for this week). It's a long way from the Eternal City to Wigan, but former Revs striker Clint Dempsey made that journey this week. After returning from a tough 2-1 loss at AS Roma in midweek Europa League action, Fulham headed to Lancashire for an EPL encounter that saw the Cottagers gain a 1-1 result despite Wigan dominating play. For the third straight EPL game, Dempsey scored for Fulham. This time from the penalty spot, taking the kick himself after Titus Bramble had hauled him down for the infraction. Former Kansas City Wizards striker Eddie Johnson did not dress for Fulham. Another MLS alumnus back in EPL action after a midweek Europa League setback was Tim Howard. After going down at home to Benfica on Thursday, Everton got their first win in five EPL games with a 2-1 win at West Ham.
A rung down the ladder in The Championship the good times keep rolling for former New England Revolution assistant Paul Mariner and Plymouth Argyle. The Pilgrims head coach saw his team beat Doncaster Rovers at home, 2-1, to move out of the relegation zone.
Also on Saturday, ex-Columbus Crew striker Stern John dressed but did not play as Crystal Palace beat Middlesbrough 1-0 at home. Darren Ambrose got the Eagles winning goal in the 65th minute.
In FA Cup first round play, ex-Toronto FC midfielder Andy Welsh put in a 62-minute shift as Yeovil Town crashed out 1-0 at non-league Oxford United.
In France, on Nov. 7, former Fire defender Bakary Soumare played the full 90 as Boulogne were hammered 5-0 at Lorient. On Sunday, another Fire alumnus, Carlos Bocanegra, also had a tough road trip as Stade Rennes lost 3-2 at Toulouse.
In Germany, on Nov. 7, former MetroStars midfielder Michael Bradley played the full 90 as Borussia Moenchengladbach extended their unbeaten streak to three games with a goalless tie at home with VfB Stuttgart.
In 2.Bundesliga action on Saturday, ex-Wizards and Chivas USA striker Matt Taylor was back in the starting lineup for FSV Frankfurt as the basement dwellers tied 0-0 at home with Arminia Bielefeld.
In Sunday action, former FC Dallas marksman Kenny Cooper saw 16 minutes of action in the second half as 1860 Munich extended their losing streak to three games with a 1-0 at Energie Cottbus.
In Ireland, in the last week of the Irish Premier League, Rapids alumnus Tam McManus was a second half substitute as Derry City won 2-1 at Dundalk on Friday, Nov. 6. The Candystripes rallied from a 1-nil halftime deficit. Clive Delaney scored the winner two minutes from time. Derry finished the season in fourth place.
In Israel, in Week 9 of Ligat Al, former Rapids midfielder Dedi Ben Dayan played the full 90 as Hapoel Tel Aviv extended their winning streak to five games with a 2-1 win at Bnei Sakhnin on Nov. 8.
In Italy, in Serie A on Nov. 8, ex-Revs coach Walter Zenga saw his Palermo team go down 3-1 at Bologna. Uruguay international Marcelo Zalayeta sliced through the Palermo defense twice to pace the Bologna win.
In Mexico, in Week 16 of the Torneo Apertura, on Saturday, Nov. 7, former Colorado Rapids veteran Daniel Osorno scored in the 12th minute, but alas for his Atlas side, Guadalajara rivals Chivas had already scored two goals and would score another brace in the first half. After a thrilling first half, the game calmed down in the second half, with Chivas running out 4-1 winners. In other Saturday action, former MLS Golden Boot winner Carlos Ruiz> was also on the wrong side of a four-goal score, as Puebla lost 4-0 at Cruz Azul. Two-team MLS alumnus Ramon Nunez was a second-half substitute for the Cement Makers. Colorado Rapids alumnus Alain N'Kong put in a 55-minute shift as Indios de Ciudad Juarez went down, 1-0 at home to Chiapas.
In Sunday action, Chivas USA alumnus Paco Palencia put in a 69-minute shift and picked up a yellow card as Pumas tied 0-0 at Morelia. Former MetroStars defender Diego Jimenez went the distance as UAG scored in the first minute and the last minute in beating Querétaro, 2-0 at home. Chivas USA veteran Isaac Romo played the full 90 and picked up a yellow card for Querétaro. Ex-FC Dallas defender Duilio Davino played the full 90 as Monterrey lost 1-0 at América.
In Peru, on Nov. 8, former D.C. United goalkeeper Jose Carvallo gave up a Claudio Velasquez 43rd minute goal as Sporting Cristal lost 1-0 at Alianza Lima.
In Poland, former Fire forward Tomasz Frankowski was on the wrong side of a 5-2 thumping as his Jagiellonia Bialystok lost at Ruch Chorzow on Nov. 8.
In Portugal, on Nov. 6, former D.C. United starlet Freddy Adu dressed but did not play for Belenenses in their 3-0 home defeat to Paços de Ferreira.
In Romania, on Nov. 9, former MLS All-Star Juan Toja put in a 54-minute shift as Steaua Bucharest recorded a 2-0 home win over Unirea Alba Iulia to stay in a three-way tie atop the standings.
In Scotland, on Nov. 7, former Fire midfielder DaMarcus Beasley was a halftime substitute for Rangers as the SPL champions beat St. Mirren, 2-1 at Ibrox Stadium. Former Revs midfielder Andy Dorman played the full 90 for St. Mirren. In other Saturday action, ex-Toronto FC striker Collin Samuel put in an 83-minute shift as St. Johnstone lost 2-1 at Aberdeen. Real Salt Lake alumnus Kenny Deuchar came into the game at halftime for the Johnnies.
Down a rung in Scottish Division One, former Revs striker Paul Keegan made a 12-minute appearance as bottom-of-the table Airdrie United lost 2-1 at Dundee on Nov. 7.
In South Africa, on Saturday, Nov. 7, Bulgaria legend and former D.C. United and Chicago Fire striker Hristo Stoichkov saw his Brazilians recent revival come to a halt at Golden Arrows, where the hosts shot down the Sundowns 1-0.
In Spain, on Nov. 8, Mexico legend and former Dallas Burn striker Hugo Sanchez saw his Almeria side gain their third La Liga win of the season with a 2-0 home win over Osasuna.
In Venezuela, in Week 8 of the Torneo Apertura, defending champion Caracas FC downed Carabobo 2-0 at home on Nov. 8. Former Red Bulls defender Gabriel Cicero played the full 90 and picked up a yellow card.
Performance of the Week
With New Zealand set to host Bahrain on Nov. 14 with a World Cup berth on the line, former D.C. United and current Kiwi skipper Ryan Nelsen had good reason to be looking beyond Blackburn's home game with Portsmouth on Nov. 7. But the former Stanford man is a pro's pro and proved why against Pompey. In an early season relegation six-pointer, Nelsen rallied Rovers with an assist on Jason Roberts first goal and scored Blackburn's second in the 3-1 home win. That stellar effort earns Nelsen the POTW.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."
