Filed under: European Soccer, FIFA World Cup, English Premier League, Bundesliga (Germany), U.S. Men's National Team, United States
Although the United States' failed bid to host World Cup 2022 made this past week one to forget for stateside soccer supporters, the rare goal-scoring exploits of two American defenders abroad just might soften that substantial blow.After U.S. right back Jonathan Spector bagged a midweek brace in West Ham's 4-0 Carling Cup victory over his former club, Manchester United, American defender Carlos Bocanegra notched his first Ligue One goal in a St. Etienne uniform during the club's 2-2 draw with Bordeaux on Sunday.
In the 69th minute, moments after St. Etienne had knotted the match at one, the U.S. captain rose to nod Dimitri Payet's free kick through the legs of Bordeaux goalkeeper Cedric Carrasso.
Only a last-gasp equalizer from Fernando Menegazzo kept Bocanegra from claiming his strike - a vintage goal from the aerial specialist - as the game-winner. Bocanegra had not scored since doing so in March for his previous team, Rennes.
Midfielder Michael Bradley (photo above) made sure the scoring joy wasn't just for members of the Yanks' back line, finding net in the 17th minute of Borussia Monchengladbach's 2-1 Bundesliga loss to Hannover 96 on Saturday.
Taking a long-range free kick from the left flank, Bradley launched his service into the penalty area and watched as it surprisingly skipped untouched past Hannover goalkeeper Florian Fromlowitz into the far side netting.
It was the 23-year-old's third goal of the Bundesliga campaign. The loss, however, ensured Monchengladbach would stay in the league cellar with a 2-9-4 mark.
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