A look at the latest news and performances of former Major League Soccer standouts around the globe:
United States National Team
Two MLS alumni, former D.C. United goalkeeper
Troy Perkins
and ex-FC Dallas defender
Clarence Goodson
, were members of Bob Bradley's 30-man squad that reported for the first U.S. national team training camp of the season in Carson, California on Jan. 4.
Elsewhere Around the World
In England, the New Year kicked off with the big boys joining the minnows in the FA Cup, as always, at the third round stage on Jan. 2. Last year, ex-MetroStars goalkeeper
Tim Howard
was a key player in Everton's run to the FA Cup final, where they lost to Chelsea, 2-1. The Toffees bid for Cup glory this year began with a home tie against League One side Carlisle United. The Cumbrians gave Everton all they could handle, but two goals in the last eight minutes, including Tim Cahill's 50th career goal for the Toffees, gave the EPL side a 3-1 win. In other Saturday action, former New England Revolution striker
Clint Dempsey
was also involved in an EPL-League One matchup with Dempsey's Fulham beating Swindon Town 1-0 at Craven Cottage. In an all EPL showdown, Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce rested former D.C. United skipper
Ryan Nelsen
, along with other regular starters, ahead of the Carling Cup semifinals on Jan. 5, (which was subsequently postponed due to snowy conditions in Blackburn), for the club's visit to Aston Villa, who also rested players, including Columbus Crew alumnus
Brad Friedel
. With Friedel on the bench former Chivas USA goalkeeper
Brad Guzan
manned the nets for Villa and saved a David Dunn penalty kick as the Villans beat Rovers 3-1. In another all-EPL tie, former Red Bulls striker
Jozy Altidore
dropped to the bench for Hull City's visit to Wigan Athletic. Altidore made an 11-minute cameo as the Tigers crashed out of the Cup 4-1 after holding a 1-0 halftime lead. In an all-Championship clash, former Revs assistant coach
Paul Mariner
saw his Plymouth Argyle team held 0-0 at home by Newcastle United. In another all-Championship matchup, former Columbus Crew striker
Stern John
put in a 52-minute shift for Ipswich Town as the Tractor Boys won 2-1 at Blackpool.
In Sunday FA Cup action, ex-Rapids goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann dropped to the bench as Wolves won 1-0 at Tranmere Rovers.
On Jan. 5, it was back to EPL action for Clint Dempsey. Fulham traveled to Stoke City in the snow and were down 3-0 at halftime before rallying in the second stanza. Damien Duff scored for the Cottagers in the 61st minute and a Dempsey rocket in the 85th minute reduced the arrears to 3-2. However, Fulham couldn't get any closer as Stoke held on for the 3-2 win.
In Iran, former LA Galaxy assistant and Iran national team head coach Afshin Ghotbi is breathing a little easier after leading his team to two wins in a week. After Iran lost their first two games in last month's Doha International Friendship Tournament in Qatar (3-2 to Qatar on Dec. 27 and 2-1 to Mali on Dec. 31), Team Melli beat North Korea 1-0 in the final game of the tourney on Jan. 2. Iran followed that win over their World Cup qualifying conquerors with a 3-1 win at Singapore on Jan. 6, to clinch a berth in the 2011 Asian Cup finals.
In Israel, in Week 16 of Ligat Al, former Rapids midfielder Dedi Ben Dayan scored on a penalty kick as Hapoel Tel Aviv beat Beitar Jerusalem 4-3 at home on Jan. 4.
In Italy, in Serie A action on Jan. 6, LA Galaxy on-loan superstar David Beckham made his return for AC Milan. He put in a 76-minute shift as Milan thumped Genoa, 5-2.
In Scotland, on Jan. 2, Revs alumnus Andy Dorman was back in the St. Mirren lineup after recovering from an injury and it was off his corner kick that Chris Innes headed home the Buddies' winner in a 1-0 home win over Kilmarnock.
In Sunday action, former Chicago Fire midfielder DaMarcus Beasley missed the traditional New Year's edition of the Old Firm derby with a thigh injury, but ex-Toronto FC midfielder Maurice Edu was on the bench for Rangers. The University of Maryland product wasn't there long, however, coming into the game in the 13th minute to replace the injured Nacho Novo. The Parkhead showdown was dominated by Celtic, but ended in a 1-1 tie on goals scored two minutes apart.
Down a rung in Scottish Division One, former Revs striker Paul Keegan dressed but did not play as Airdrie United sprung an upset by winning 1-0 at league leaders Dundee on Jan. 3.
January Transfer Window
Former D.C. United and Real Salt Lake alumnus
Freddy Adu
returned to Benfica after his loan deal with Belenenses concluded on Dec. 31. On Jan. 6, it was confirmed that Benfica had loaned the former D.C. United and Real Salt Lake man to Greek Super League side Aris Thessaloniki. Edu joins fellow MLS alumnus
Eddie Johnson
who joined Aris on loan from Fulham with the opening of the January transfer window.
Performance of the Week
Former LA Galaxy assistant
Afshin Ghotbi
faced a must win double-header to begin his New Year this week, and he won both contests. With his young Iran side losing back-to-back games at the start of the Doha International Friendship Tournament at the end of December, pressure was mounting on Team Melli's head coach. But, a 1-0 win over World Cup-bound North Korea on Jan. 2 to close out the tourney and a 3-1 win at Singapore on Jan. 6 to clinch a berth at the 2011 Asian Cup finals amply demonstrated Coach Ghotbi's coaching capabilities, gained him some job security and 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."
