Neven Subotic continues to score and the United States National Team program continues to leave him out of consideration for the full National Team. Elsewhere, Jozy Altidore makes his debut for the Yellow Submarine.
By Graig Carbino
ALBANY, NY (Sept 16, 2008) USSoccerPlayers -- Neven Subotic cannot stop scoring. He got his third goal of the season for Borussia Dortmund as they drew 3-3 with Schalke on Saturday. So far Subotic’s move from 2.Bundesliga club Mainz looks to be working out perfectly for the future US international… I mean Bosnian international…or maybe German international?
Anyone in the US soccer “know” is familiar with Subotic and his story. Born in war torn Bosnia, his family moved to Germany in his early childhood before uprooting to the United States for Neven’s teenage years. He was involved in the US youth setup and featured for the U-17 and U-20 teams, but was left off the roster for the 2007 U-20 World Cup. It has been reported that he had a bit of a falling out with coach Thomas Rongen and now isn’t sure which country he would like to represent on the international level.
One thing is for sure; Bob Bradley and his staff need to do everything in their power to get this kid into an annthracite uniform. The key word here is 'kid.' At just 19 years old, Subotic is already dazzling Bundesliga observers with his size (6’4”) and skill. He has started every game in the heart of defense for 4th place Dortmund and doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon.
Speaking of former US youth internationals playing in Germany, have you heard the one about Landon Donovan going back to Deutschland? Rumors have begun to swirl about Donovan possibly being in the transfer sites of German powerhouse Bayern Munich. Bayern coach Jurgen Klinsmann has been a long time admirer of Donovan and reportedly wants to add him to the already talent-rich attack of the capital club.
My take? Maybe the third time is the charm. Donovan spent two less-than-ideal stints with Bayer Leverkusen earlier in his career before finally coming back to Major League Soccer. It has become evident especially this season that Donovan is just too good for this league. It works for MLS. For Donovan though, the situation may be getting stale. He knows that in any game if he turns the dial up to or near 100 there isn’t a defender in the league that can match his speed and skill on the ball. Period.
Germany seems to be the place to be for US internationals looking to further their careers. With Subotic at Dortmund, Michael Bradley at Mochengladbach and Donovan possibly on the move the Munich, the future spine of the National Team may soon call Bavaria home. Now, it is just a matter of getting them all playing for their club teams every week, and in the case of Subotic, convincing him that the USA is the country to represent.
Americans Abroad Report Card
English Premier League: Tim Howard returned from international duty to start for Everton in their 3-2 win over Stoke City on Sunday. Yakubu and Victor Anichebe put the visitors up by two after 51 minutes. Seyi Olofinjana got one back for Stoke three minutes later before a Phil Jagielka own goal knotted the match at two-all. The returning Tim Cahill won it for Everton with a 77th minute header to grab all three points.
Clint Dempsey watched from the bench as Fulham beat Bolton 2-1 on Saturday. Zoltan Gera and Bobby Zamora scored for the home team. Kevin Davies tallied for the Wanderers. Jonathan Spector is injured and played no part in West Ham United’s 3-2 loss to West Brom at the Hawthorns. Chris Brunt scored an 83rd minute winner for the Baggies.
Brad Friedel started for Aston Villa, 2-1 winners away to Tottenham on Monday. Brad Guzan was on the bench for Villa.
The Championship: Reading were 2-0 losers at Ipswich. Marcus Hahnemann started in goal for Reading and was beaten by Jonathan Stead and Jonathan Walters for the Ipswich tallies. Bobby Convey came on for Chris Armstrong in the 75th minute.
Jay Demerit started in the heart of defense for Watford on Saturday as they lost 2-0 to Sheffield Wednesday. Marcus Tudgay and Tommy Spurr scored for Wednesday at historic Hillsborough to give the home team all three points. Frank Simek is injured and did not feature for Wednesday. Eddie Johnson watched from the bench as Cardiff City drew 0-0 with Bristol City at Ninian Park.
Germany: Neven Subotic gave and then took away on Saturday during Borussia Dortmund’s 3-all draw with Schalke. His handball in the 19th minute led to Schalke’s first goal as Jefferson Farfan dispatched the spot kick. Rafinha and Heiko Westermann also scored to give the visitors a quick 3-0 lead. Subotic started the fight back with a 67th minute goal before an Alexander Frei double leveled the game at three a piece.
Hannover 96 won for the first time this season without the services of either Steve Cherundolo or Sal Zizzo. They beat Borussia Mochengladbach 5-1 at the AWD-Arena. Szabolcs Huszti and Jan Schlaudraff both scored twice for Hannover and Mikael Forssell added a late penalty to finish the route. Canadian international Rob Friend scored the lone goal for ‘Gladbach and new signing Michael Bradley had to be content with a place amongst the substitutes.
Heath Pearce came off the bench to help earn Hansa Rostock a 2-2 with Mainz. Srdjan Baljak and Florian Heller scored for Mainz while Kevin Schindler and Gledson scored for Rostock. Pearce entered the match in 65th minute. Grover Gibson played only the first 34 minutes for Ahlen in their 3-1 win over visiting RW Oberhausen. Tus Koblenz lost 4-3 to Greuther Furth with American keeper David Yelldell suffering the rough day between the pipes. Matt Taylor did not dress for Koblenz.
Scotland: Rangers came from behind to beat Kilmarnock 2-1 at Ibrox on Saturday. DaMarcus Beasley started and played the opening 45 minutes while Maurice Edu was also a surprise starter and played 65 minutes. Frazer Wright gave Kilmarnock a surprise first half lead after a mix up at the back for Rangers. Kris Boyd saved the day for the Gers’ with goals in the 58th and 62nd minutes respectively.
France: Carlos Bocanegra has been ever-present at the back for Rennes this year and that did not change on Saturday as he started and played 90 minutes in their 1-1 draw with Le Havre. Jimmy Briand scored for Rennes in the 27th minute. The lead did not last long as Jean-Michel Lesage equalized for Le Havre only 5 minutes later. Freddy Adu once again had to be content with a late cameo for Monaco as they beat Lorient 2-0 on Saturday. Park Chu-Young and Frederic Nimani scored for Monaco. Andrew Jacobson missed out through injury.
Spain: Jozy Altidore made his much-anticipated La Liga debut for Villareal on Sunday, coming on as a half-time substitute. Midfielder Santi Cazorla hit a long-range effort into the back of the net to give Villareal a 1-0 lead and all three points. Altidore was reportedly very impressive with both his hold-up play and passing on Sunday.
Graig Carbino covers American Abroad and writes a weekly column for USSoccerPlayers. Contact him at graiger11@yahoo.com
