the revival of Israel's qualifying campaign. One player at the heart of Israel's bid for a berth in the finals next summer is Colorado Rapids alumnus David "Dedi" Ben Dayan.
In his two seasons in the Rockies, Ben Dayan scored eight goals in 24 games, a very solid return for a left-sided midfield player. But it was his departure that caused headlines. When fighting between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon escalated into a full-scale war, Ben Dayan felt called home to take care of his mother living alone in Tel-Aviv. It was a difficult situation for all parties, but in the end Ben Dayan's wishes were honored and a trade was arranged in August 2006 between the Rapids and Israeli Premier League side Maccabi Netanya.
Back in his homeland, Ben Dayan switched from midfield to defense and quickly established himself as a regular on the Israel national team. Now playing for Hapoel Tel Aviv, Ben Dayan is expected to start at left back in the upcoming World Cup qualifying games against Latvia on Sept. 5 and Luxembourg on Sept. 9.
With four games remaining, Israel lies in fourth place in Europe's Group 2, four points behind leaders Greece and Switzerland, and one point back of third-place Latvia. That would seem like a big mountain to climb, but while no easy task, three of Israel's last four games are at home, including this week's doubleheader. The last time Israel lost at home in World Cup qualifying was way back in November 1993, a 3-1 loss to Finland. But too often in the past Israel has tied home games, not won them, a habit they will need to break to have any chance of making the big dance in South Africa.
Already in the 2010 campaign Israel have been held at home by Switzerland (2-2) and Greece (1-1). But six points this week would bolster the team's chances and raise hopes for a first World Cup finals berth in 40 years. The only time Israel made the finals was in 1970.
Last time out in this qualifying run, Israel lost 2-1 at Greece, a result that many pundits predict will doom Ben Dayan and his Israel teammates to the World Cup wilderness once again. But head coach Dror Kashtan doesn't share that opinion, saying after the game, "I was taught that in sports it's not over until it's over. We still have four matches to play and there might be surprises in the group."
If Israel is to spring a surprise, it must start this week with a six-point haul. From there, Kashtan and his team can look to a third straight home game down the stretch against Group 2 cellar dwellers Moldova before a trip on the last day to Switzerland.
So just like another MLS alumnus, former MetroStars head coach Carlos Queiroz, Dedi Ben Dayan faces a must win-win week to keep World Cup hope alive. For Queiroz and his Portugal squad it's a demanding week on the road in Denmark and Hungary. At least for Ben Dayan he gets to play in the place where three years ago he told the Rapids he needed to be -- home.
2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying
Bob Bradley
named seven MLS alumni to the U.S. national team roster for the upcoming World Cup qualifying games against El Salvador (Sept. 5) and at Trinidad & Tobago (Sept. 9):
Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Carlos Bocanegra, Clarence Goodson, Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey
and
Jozy Altidore
.
UEFA Europa League
In second leg, qualifying round play on Aug. 27, former New England Revolution star
Clint Dempsey
did not dress for Fulham in the 1-0 loss at FK Amkar Perm (Russia). The Cottagers manager, Roy Hodgson, stacked his midfield and kept the Moscow-based team at bay until the 90th minute, when Martin Kushev scored to win the game. However, it was too little, too late for the Russians as Fulham advanced 3-2 on aggregate having won the first leg in London, 3-1. Former FC Dallas and Kansas City Wizards forward
Eddie Johnson
dressed for Fulham but didn't get off the bench.
Dempsey's U.S. national team colleague, Tim Howard, helped Everton advance to the next stage with a 1-1 tie at Sigma Olomouc (Czech Republic), to win the tie 5-1 on aggregate. The Toffees played 81 minutes with a man down after defender Tony Hibbert was sent off in the 7th minute.
Former Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan got the start for Aston Villa in their 2-1 second leg victory over Rapid Vienna (Austria). But that result wasn't good enough for the Holte End faithful to see their team advance. The tie ended in an aggregate score of 2-2, with Nikica Jelavic's 77th-minute away goal putting Rapid through. Villa's England star, Ashley Young, missed a penalty kick in the game. Brad Friedel was on the bench.
Colorado Rapids alumnus Dedi Ben Dayan was the hero for Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israel). In a dramatic conclusion, visiting FK Teplice (Czech Republic) scored in the 89th minute to take a 1-0 lead, but Ben Dayan scored one minute later to earn a 1-1 tie and clinch Hapoel's spot in the next round.
In the Group Stage draw held Aug. 28, Hapoel Tel Aviv were drawn in Group C alongside Hamburg (Germany), Celtic (Scotland) and Rapid Vienna (Austria); Fulham were drawn in Group E alongside Roma (Italy), Basel (Switzerland) and CSKA Sofia (Bulgaria); Everton were drawn in Group I alongside Benfica (Portugal), AEK Athens (Greece) and BATE Borisov (Belarus).
Group Stage games will be played from Sept. 17 through Dec. 17.
CONCACAF Champions League
In Group C action on Aug. 26, former FC Dallas and Chivas USA midfielder
Ramon Nunez
scored in the eighth minute as Cruz Azul (Mexico) crushed MLS champions Columbus Crew 5-0 at home. The Crew played with 10 men for 63 minutes after Eric Brunner got the red-card adios in the 37th minute. Compounding Columbus' problems, defender Chad Marshall scored an own goal.
In Group D action on Aug. 27, ex-LA Galaxy striker Carlos Pavon went the distance as Real Espana (Honduras) were humbled at home 5-1 by Pumas UNAM (Mexico). Having got off to the worst start in team history in the Torneo Apertura (0-5), Pumas took out their frustration on Espana. Former Chivas USA striker Paco Palencia came out of the game at halftime for Pumas, for whom Dante Lopez scored a second-half hat trick.
Elsewhere Around the World
In Argentina, in Week 2 of the Torneo Apertura former D.C. United designated player
Marcelo Gallardo
played the first 67 minutes of River Plate's dramatic 4-3 win over Chacarita Juniors on Aug. 30. In a "see-saw" game, another former Argentina World Cup veteran, Ariel Ortega, hit the winner in the 87th minute.
In Australia, in Week 4 of the Hyundai A-League, Perth Glory secured a 2-1 victory over Melbourne Victory on a pair of goals by Branko Jelic on Aug. 28. FC Dallas alumnus Victor Sikora put in an 80-minute shift for Perth, picking up a yellow card along the way in the 62nd minute. On Sunday, Aug. 30, former Revs defender Tony Lochhead played the full 90 for the Wellington Phoenix in a 2-0 defeat at Sydney FC. Ex-Crew and Wizards midfielder Diego started for Wellington but came out of the game in the 43rd minute.
In Brazil, in Week 22 of the Campeonato Brasileirao, on Aug. 30, former MetroStars defender Danilo da Silva played the full 90 as Internacional hammered second-place Goias 4-0. That impressive result moved Internacional up into third-place. Goias, who played for 77 minutes with 10-men after Fernandao was sent off, remain in second place, one point ahead of Internacional.
In Bolivia, in Week 9 of the Torneo Clausura, former MetroStars midfielder Joselito Vaca put in an 88-minute shift as Oriente Petrolero beat Aurora 2-0 at home on Wednesday, Aug. 26. On Sunday, Vaca started on the bench for OP's visit to La Paz. With OP a goal down and a man down at halftime, Vaca was a halftime substitute. However, La Paz scored two more goals in the second half to win 3-0.
In Colombia, in Week 8 of the Copa Mustang II, former MetroStars striker Sergio Galvan Rey was a late substitute in Atletico National's 1-1 home tie with Atletico Huila on Saturday, Aug. 29.
In Denmark, on Saturday, Aug. 29, FC Nordsjaelland's losing streak stretched to three games as they went down 2-0 at home to AGF Aarhus. Former Revs defender Michael Parkhurst played the full 90 for FCN.
On Aug. 30, former Galaxy defender Danny Califf missed FC Midtjylland 1-0 loss at AaB due to injuries suffered in a bike accident. The win moved AaB into second place in the standings, while the loss dropped Midtjylland into 11th place, one of the two relegation slots.
In England, after scoring in the midweek Carling Cup win against Southend, former New York Red Bulls starlet Jozy Altidore was a second-half substitute for Hull City in their 1-1 tie at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, Aug. 29. Ex-Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann was on the bench for Wolves.
Former D.C. United captain Ryan Nelsen missed Blackburn Rovers 0-0 home tie with West Ham United due to the knee injury that continues to plague the start of his EPL season. The scoreless draw gave Rovers their first point of the season.
After their midweek Europa League trip to Russia, Clint Dempsey's Fulham headed up the M1 on Sunday to play Aston Villa. Martin O'Neill's side had been dumped out of the Europa League on Thursday by Rapid Vienna, but got off to a rapid start against the Cottagers on a third-minute own goal. Former Columbus Crew goalkeeper Brad Friedel posted his first shutout of the season as Villa went on to win 2-0. Dempsey played the full 90 for Fulham, and ex-Kansas City Wizards forward Eddie Johnson was a second-half sub for the Cottagers. After starting in the midweek Europa League fixture, former Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan was back on the bench backing up Friedel for the Villans.
In other Sunday action, Tim Howard's Everton got their first EPL win of the season with a 2-1 win over Lancashire rivals Wigan Athletic at Goodison Park. But the Toffees left it late, their winning goal coming on a stoppage-time penalty kick.
Much further down the English football food chain in League One, ex-Toronto FC midfielder Andy Welsh dropped to the bench for Yoevil Town's visit to Huddersfield Town. His second-half appearance could not prevent Yeovil from going down 2-1 to the Terriers.
In France, on Aug. 29, former Fire defender Carlos Bocanegra played the full 90 as Rennes stretched their unbeaten start to the season to four games with a 2-2 tie at Lens. It was the third straight score draw for Rennes.
In Germany, on Aug. 28, former MetroStars midfielder Michael Bradley did not dress for Borussia Moenchengladbach in their 2-0 win over Mainz. That result saw the Foals hold onto fourth place in the Bundesliga standings.
Also under the Friday night lights, in Bundesliga.2 action, former FC Dallas marksman Kenny Cooper played the full 90 for 1860 Munich in a 0-0 tie at Ahlen.
On Sunday, Bundesliga 2 cellar dwellers FSV Frankfurt lost again, this time 3-0 at Alemainia Aachen. Ex-Wizards and Chivas USA striker Matt Taylor made a two-minute cameo for Frankfurt at the end of the game.
In India, former Colorado Rapids head coach Bob Houghton led India to victory in the Nehru Cup on Aug. 31. Houghton, India's national team head coach since 2006, saw his side beat Syria 5-4 on penalty kicks after the game ended 1-1 after overtime.
In Ireland, former Colorado Rapids midfielder Tom McManus played the full 90 as Derry City won its third straight game, winning 1-0 at bottom of the table Bray Wanderers on Aug. 28. Gareth McGlynn scored the winner for the Candystripes two minutes from time.
In Israel, in Week 2 action, former Rapids defender Dedi Ben Dayan scored his second goal of the week on Aug. 30. He put Hapeol Tel Aviv 1-0 up over Maccabi Petah Tikva in the 12th minute. But a 38th minute goal from Tal Ben Haim tied the game for the visitors. The 1-1 result was the second straight draw for Hap TA, they tied 0-0 with Beitar Jerusalem on the opening weekend on the season on Monday, Aug. 24.
In Italy, in Week 2 of Serie A, Inter made all the headlines with a 4-0 win in the Milan derby. But it wasn't all bad news for AC Milan legend and ex-MetroStars midfielder Roberto Donadoni. He saw his Napoli side beat Livorno 3-1 on Aug. 30. For Inter legend Walter Zenga it wasn't all good news. His Palermo side lost 1-0 at Fiorentina on Sunday.
In Mexico, in a rearranged Week 1 game of the Torneo Apertura, former Chivas USA striker Isaac Romo returned to the starting lineup for Querétaro in their 2-1 home loss to Atlante on Aug. 26. Rafael Marquez Logo hit the 90th minute winner for Atlante.
In Saturday action, former MetroStars midfielder Diego Jimenez played the full 90 for UAG in their 2-2 tie at Monterrey. Former FC Dallas defender Duilio Davino played the full 90 for Monterrey. In Ciudad Juarez, two former Rapids players faced off as Indios were held 1-1 by Atlas. Striker Daniel Osorno played the full 90 for Atlas, while defender Alain N'Kong started for Indios but left the game at halftime. 2002 MLS MVP Carlos Ruiz played the first 72 minutes for Puebla in their 0-0 draw at San Luis. Ruiz came out of the game two minutes after picking up a yellow card.
On Sunday, Pumas finally got in the Apertura win column, beating Querétaro 3-0 at home with Dante Lopez scoring two goals. Ex-Chivas USA striker Paco Palencia played the first 45 minutes for the Pumas before coming out of the game at halftime. Another Chivas USA alumnus, Ramon Nunez, dressed but did not play in Cruz Azul's 3-0 win at Morelia.
In Norway, on Aug. 29, former D.C. United goalkeeper Troy Perkins helped Valerenga snap their seven-game league losing streak with a 2-1 victory over second-place Molde FK.
In Sunday's action, ex Fire and Wizards midfielder Khari Stephenson put in an 85-minute shift for Aalesunds in their 1-1 home tie with Bodo Glimt. Former Real Salt Lake defender Willis Forko played the full 90 for BG. Multi-team MLS veteran Thiago Martins also played the full 90 for BG and picked up a yellow card in the 79th minute. IK Start's slump continued with a 1-0 home defeat to SK Brann Bergen. Former FC Dallas defender Clarence Goodson played the full 90 for Start, and was yellow carded in the 52nd minute. His fellow MLS alumnus, Hunter Freeman, was suspended for the game due to yellow card accumulation. Former Toronto FC goalkeeper Kenny Stamatopoulos couldn't prevent Fredrikstad from losing their third straight, a 2-0 defeat at Tromso IL.
In Scotland on Aug. 26, a pair of MLS alumni got on the score sheet for St. Johnstone in their 6-0 win at Arbroath in the second round of the Co-Operative Insurance Cup. "Dr. Goals," former Real Salt Lake striker Kenny Deuchar scored twice, and ex-Toronto FC striker Collin Samuel scored the Johnnies' sixth goal.
Also in the CIS Cup, former Revs midfielder Andy Dorman played 83 minutes in St. Mirren's 2-0 win at Ayr United. The momentum from that Cup win carried over into the SPL on Saturday. The Saints came from a goal down to win 2-1 at Kilmarnock. Dorman put in an 81-minute shift before being replaced by Stephen O'Donnell. At Ibrox Stadium on Saturday, champions Glasgow Rangers beat Hamilton Academical, 4-1 to maintain their 100 percent start to the season. Once again, ex-Fire midfielder DaMarcus Beasley dressed for the game but stayed on the bench.
In Sunday EPL action, Deuchar and Samuel both started for St. Johnstone in the 2-2 home tie with Hearts. In a dramatic finish, Deuchar had a goal disallowed in the 80th minute and six minutes later Hearts took a 2-1 lead on a goal very much against the run of play. But three minutes into stoppage time at the end of the game Martin Hardie leveled the score to give the St. Johnstone a hard-earned point.
In South Africa, in Week 3 of the South African Premiership, former Chicago Fire and D.C. United forward Hristo Stoichkov saw his Mamelodi Sundowns held to a 1-1 home tie by the Free State Stars on Wednesday, Aug. 26. In other Wednesday action, former Chicago Fire and Real Salt Lake alumnus Dipsy Selolwane played the first 67 minutes as Ajax Cape Town lost 2-0 at home to Santos. On Saturday, Selolwane scored from the penalty spot in the 15th minute to give Ajax a 1-0 victory at reigning champions SuperSport United. Also on Saturday, Stoichkov's Sundowns tasted defeat for the first time in the young season, going down 1-0 at Santos.
In Spain, it was Opening Weekend for La Liga. On Sunday, Aug. 30, Mexico legend and former Dallas Burn striker Hugo Sanchez saw his Almeria side held at home 0-0 by Valladolid, this despite Valladolid being down to 10 men for 77 minutes after Nivaldo got a red card just 13 minutes into the new season.
In Venezuela, in Week 4 of the Torneo Apertura, defending champions Caracas FC won 1-0 at AC Mineros on Sunday, Aug. 30. Former Red Bulls defender Gabriel Cicero played the full 90 for Caracas.
Tradewinds
Former MLS wunderkind
Freddy Adu
has moved across Lisbon from Benfica to Belenenses in a season-long loan arrangement. Adu spent most of last season with AS Monaco in France in another loan deal with Benfica.
Performance of the week
Two goals in two games is a solid week's work for any striker, but when a defender finds the net in consecutive games, then its time to stop the presses. Or, in this case, hand out the POTW accolade, which this week goes to former Rapids defender
Dedi Ben Dayan
. His last-minute goal against FK Teplice on Thursday ensured Hapoel Tel Aviv's passage to the Europa League Group Stage. Then, in Israeli league action on Sunday, his second strike in four days helped gain a 1-1 tie against Maccabi Petah Tikva.
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."
