WEEKEND WRAP: Saturday 7-23-2016 - Features a Mix of Meaningful Games and Friendlies

Interesting day filled with games that had consequence and a lot more that didn't. We had debut's by 2 players in Bosnia, 1 in Serbia  and a few more in Germany's lower leagues. Goals ? yup we had some of those as well. In Iceland, Germany, Bosnia and 1 goal in a friendly match. We had over 30 US Players on display with some good and some bad results. The seasons are starting up again across Europe and each week we are adding games in countries we have not heard from in quite a bit. 

Lets go to the list;

Benedict Lavery was in the 18/DNP for Augsburg II as they won their match up at FV Illertissen in Oberliga (Bayern).

Alassane Kane started went 45 for his new team Bayern Hof in their 4 - 3 loss to FC Schweinfurt in Germany's Regionalliga (Bayern)

In Finland Ykkonen, Jaro featured Kyle Curinga (90 + Yellow) and Josue Soto (87) as they hosted Mike Banner (90) and KPV as they played to a goalless draw - KPV ended their points drought after 4 straight losses.

In Iceland Inkasso-deildin play Selfoss and JC Mack (90) visited Leiknir F. and came away with a point in 1 - 1 draw.

In Iceland Division 2 Jordan Taylor (90) Scored for Hottur as they visited Njardvik and Harrison Hanley (72) and took a commanding lead (0 - 2) into the half and then struggled to hold on a 2 - 2 draw

Also in Iceland Division 2, Matt Nigro (89) and Vestri suffered a scare after being 0 - 2 up and it took a 90+3 PK to finally put their game with KF away 2 - 3

In Germany Oberliga (Bayern Nord), Eric Friedlander came off the bench at 70th minute as SpVgg Ansbach drew 3 - 3 with SV Alemannia Haibach

Also in Oberliga (Bayern Nord), Julian Ceesay (90) and FC Amberg visited Wurzburger FV and came away with a point in a goalless draw

In Scotland's Betfred Cup, Kevin Dzierzawski (53) and Peterhead lost at East Fife 2 - 1 and are out of the competition

Things didn't go any better for GK Danny Rogers as his Scottish Championship side Falkirk were thumped 3 - 0 by SPL's St. Johnstone

In Sweden's Allsvenskan, Orebro and Brendan Hines-Ike (in 18/DNP) visited Falkenbergs and came away with all 3 points in a 1 - 3 win, which moves them into the number 3 spot in the league

In Oberliga (Bayern Nord), Oscar Ortiz (90) and SC Feucht lost 2 - 1 at SV Erlenbach, leaving them with just 1 point from the first 3 games of the season - there's lots of time left to improve

Dropping down to the B Team this weekend, Royal-Dominique Fennell (90) showed his class as he Scored Wurzburger Kickers only goal in 1 - 2 defeat at the hands of TSV Großbardorf in Oberliga (Bayern Nord).

In Bosnia, Celik Zenica had a tough time with Metalleghe-BSI in their Premier League opener. The good news is that Danijal Brkovic (90) Scored, his new team, Celik's only goal in the 1 - 3 defeat

Molde and GK Ethan Horvath continue their bad form with a 0 - 1 home loss to Sarpsborg in Norway's Tippeligaen. Molde only have 1 point from the last 5 games and are slipping out of contention rapidly

Ismar Tandir started in the 18, and came on (debut) in the 85th minute for his new team Javor in the Serbian Super Liga opening day. Javor gave up an OG early in the first half and then another goal put them in a hole. The 2nd half was better and they hit 2 to tie the game at 2 - 2 - not the best start, but not the worst either.

Hunter Gorskie (90 ) and Legnica advanced to the next round of the Poland Cup with a 1 - 2 win over Belchatow (who currently are league leaders) following extra time and PK's

In Bosnia Premier League, Nermin Crnkic debuted or his new team FC Sarajevo in the opening game of the season , he went 55 minutes in a game interrupted by crowd disturbances and that finally ended in a 1 - 1 draw at Zeljeznicar

In Ireland Don Cowan went 87 minutes for Longford and GK Ciaran Nugent took his regular spot on the bench for Sligo Rovers in a 2 - 2 draw, that really didn't help either team in the standings.

Friendlies

Lyndon Gooch came off the bench at minute 64 in Sunderland's 1 - 2 win at Rotherham

Duane Holmes came off the bench at minute 78 and caused trouble for Hull with several shots resulting in finger-tip saves. Scunthorpe lost 0 - 2 but put on a good performance

Erik Lichaj started went 90 in Nott's Forest pre-season game v Nott's County. Forest had no difficulty in this one against cross-town neighbors

Adam Henley went 76 minutes for Blackburn in their pre-season match with Blackpool that ended all-square at 1 - 1

For those wondering Emerson Hyndman did not dress for Bournemouth today, he is out (probably for the whole of pre-season) with an injury

Danny Williams (90) looked pretty good today for Reading, although they lost 2 - 0 to Wimbledon in their pre-season match

In Germany, Bayern Munich started Julian Green (46) and brought on Timothy Tillman for the 2nd half in a 0 - 3 win over Landshut

Time Ream came on at 60th minute and Luca de la Torre at 72, as Fulham visit Real Betis in a friendly that Fulham lost, after a good performance, 2 - 1 on an 88th minute Betis goal.

In The Osnabruck Tournament (2 x 30 min halves each game)
In Game One St Pauli played M'Gladbach in a friendly that ended in penalties Fafa Picault Scored his PK for St Pauli - who ultimately fell 0 - 1
Fabian Johnson started for M'Gladbach in their 2nd game of the day which M'Gladbach won 2 - 1 over Osnabruck

More Tomorrow......... 

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WEEKEND WRAP: Saturday 6/4/2016 - Features Games in Iceland, Sweden and Germany

This is the time of year when getting up early in the AM is the hardest. Following the lower leagues, and smaller teams presents many challenges. That said, I love the research work this time of the year, finding and tracking (new) young Americans out there trying to make a name for themselves has its own rewards. Today, very few games for a weekend day - with Euro 2016 and Copa Centennial, most leagues have suspended play for a few weeks. But fear not I have games and Americans players out there even in these lean times.

To the list;

GK Daniel Schmidt started, went the full 90 for Yamaga in Japan's J-League as they won 2 - 1 as they beat Kitakyushu to extend their winning streak to 3 (4/5) and move into 3rd place.

In Sweden Division 2. Both Eddy Prugh and Chase Miller started and went 90 for Bodens BK as they visited Anundsjo and came away with a 0 - 3 win - which puts them at tied first in the division.

In Iceland Inkasso-Deildin Johnatan Lama (62) and Huginn, visited GK Will Dieterich (in 18/DNP) and Haukar. Huginn lost this one 3 - 0 and are still in need of points

In Iceland Division 2, Jannik Eckenrode, 90 min, yellow card and Aegir hosted Vestri, who had two American starters, Matt Nigro and Brodie Steigerwald, who both went 90, with GK Cyrus Mohseni on the bench - the game ended in a 1 - 1 draw, giving Aegir their first point of the season.

Also in Iceland Division 2, Hottur and Jordan Tyler, who started and went 90, visited KV Reykjavik, gave up an early goal and never recovered as they fell 1 - 0

In Sweden Superettan, GK Josh Wicks, started, went 90 and Tristan Bowen came off the bench at minute 82, picked up a yellow, as AFC United beat IK Frej 1 - 0. AFC are now top of Superettan

Ryan Finley started, went 90 and picked up a yellow card as Angelholms had a hard time at home and lost 0 - 2 to Varbergs in their Superettan match up

In Sweden Division 2, GK Jeff Gall, started and went 90 as Lidkopings FK visited Rynninge and came away with a 0 - 2 win, always good to get an away shut-out.

In Germany Oberliga Play-offs, we have just one team to follow Altona 93. They are currently top of Group A, following a 0 - 2 win over Bremer SV. Cody Shields started and went 90 in the victory, and Nicholas Ledesma, was in the 18/DNP, as Altona targets promotion to Regionalliga.

In Superettan, Patrick Hopkins started went 90, Paul Torres was in the 18 but DNP, as Sirius hosted Trellebergs and won 2 - 1. Sirius now in 3rd place in Superettan.

In Iceland Inkasso-deildin, JC Mack started and went 90 as Selfoss fell 0 - 1 to Thor Akureyri 

Harrison Hanley started for Njardvik and went the full 90, as they visited Volsungur in Iceland Division 2 and came away with a point in a 1 - 1 draw - Njardvik move into 3rd spot

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TRANSFERS: Johnatan Lama Joins Huginn in Iceland

22 year old Dual USA/Colombia Johnatan Lama joined Huginn in Iceland's Inkasso-deildin (1st Division) in late April, since then he has become a regular starter and is making his mark.

Johnatan who joined Huginn from Miami/Dade FC. was a top 4 Nike Chance winner as an amateur and has spent time with several program's including Barcelona and Dinamo Zagreb, and he was under consideration for Stoke City, word has it, he is still attracting interest from several clubs in Europe. Johnatan is one of many young Americans players going through the tough rise through the ranks, but has already shown his resilience and is one player that deserves to be watched as he will undoubtedly be one that succeeds.  Huginn FC will be his stepping stone to bigger things.

Good Luck to Johnatan

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