AMSTERDAM — The new SAS Liga marathon kicks off in Denmark on Saturday and MLSsoccer.com takes a sneak peek at the road ahead for the American racers in the pack.
Although promoted AGF Aarhus lost Benny Feilhaber to New England in the winter, the Danish honor division could actually have a much larger American playing contingent this season. Two clubs will field American newcomers, while Marcus Tracy is hoping to finally get back in the game at Aalborg BK.
AALBORG BK
US Players: Chris Rolfe (M/F), Marcus Tracy (F)
Player Outlook: Rolfe will be a key attacking cog for manager Kent Nielsen if he can stay fit. The former Chicago Fire man is seen as a valuable spark for his side. In the six league games he played at least a half-hour, Aalborg scored 13 goals and pocketed 10 points. In the other 27 matches, they bagged just 25 goals.
Meanwhile, Tracy has been working on what he hopes are the last steps of a frustrating double-tendonitis recovery for a few months now. Out of action since December of 2009, the forward is aiming to rejoin full training early in the season. The club is crossing its fingers that he has retained his front-line liveliness.
Team Outlook: AaB’s relegation worries of last season did not sit well with club officials and supporters. There has been very little change to the roster, so expect this squad to have something to prove from the start and improve on a forgettable 10th place finish.
BRØNDBY
US Player: Clarence Goodson (D)
Player Outlook: Already a team leader after just an injury-abbreviated half-season at the club. Goodson should be the marshal of the defense, which was second-best in the SAS Liga last term. The addition of restart winner and set-piece artist Mikkel Thygesen should give Goodson more chances to score than he's ever seen.
Team Outlook: The acquisition of Thygesen from FC Midtjylland is a big shot fired against their main rivals, but with champs FC Copenhagen reloading, Brøndby again appear to be battling for second place.
FC NORDSJÆLLAND
US Player: Michael Parkhurst (D)
Player Outlook: Though he closed last season as a midfielder, Parkhurst should begin the season starting in central defense as FC Nordsjælland aim for their third straight Ekstra Bladet Cup. The former manager felt comfortable using him at right back and defensive midfielder when the need arose, but it remains to be seen if new manager Kasper Hjulmand follows suit.
Team Outlook: A late rally pushed the club up to sixth at the finish and they celebrated a second consecutive cup triumph, but the Wild Tigers may again suffer some relegation concerns this season. The addition of wide threat Mikkel Beckmann should spice up what was a dreary attack last season, but the back has to do better than allowing 50 goals in 33 games if they expect to remain in the middle of the table.
HB KØGE
US Player: Brad Rusin (D)
Player Outlook: Though he probably won't start right away, the club has very high hopes and expectations for the former Carolina RailHawk. He should have more than enough to do once he breaks into the lineup, as the Swans are widely expected to be the league's ugly duckling.
Team Outlook: The roller-coaster ride should continue for Køge, who have gone down to the second flight and earned immediate promotion the past two seasons. Opponents will likely take them lightly early on and piling up points early on is a must if they hope to stay put.
SØNDERJSKE
US Player: Conor O'Brien (M)
Player Outlook: New boss Lars Søndergaard is high on his new playmaker, who has performed well in preseason sub appearances against Wolfsburg and Vejle BK. O'Brien should get opportunities to assume the attacking reins, but it seems set that this will initially happen in relief.
Team Outlook: The risers were a bit of a pleasant surprise last season. They clinched survival with a few weeks to spare and ended up seventh. After a basement finish in their 2000-01 SAS Liga debut, SønderjyskE have ever so slightly improved their final standing four straight times. As hard as this crew scraps, the addition of winger Tommy Bechmann (among others) could see them inch just a bit higher once again.
