If there was any doubt before, Clint Dempsey provided the clearest evidence to date that he is truly back to his best.

The U.S. national team star scored two goals, including an 89th minute equalizer to help Fulham register a 2-2 tie vs. Chelsea on Sunday.

Dempsey's brace was the highlight of a pretty good day for Americans in England.

 

In the on-going battle for playing time, some of the U.S. national team's top young players enjoyed good weeks.

From Michael Bradley, who earned a start in Borussia Moenchengladbach's loss to Borussia Dortmund, to Jozy Altidore, who played significant minutes in a crucial match against Sevilla for Villarreal, there was definitely some progress to be made on at least a few Americans Abroad fronts.

 

                                                       Photo by ISIphotos.com

For those of you who missed it, here is a piece I wrote for ESPN.com this morning on ten top MLS transfer targets this winter. It is a group of ten MLS players who European clubs could and very likely will make moves for when the January transfer window opens up.

 

Good afternoon folks. Hope you are all enjoying some time off around the holidays, and if you're one of the people who have faced the horror of flight delays and bad weather, good luck on your travels.

This won't be your standard Ticker, moreso just a chance to catch you all up on the latest.

 

DaMarcus Beasley could be looking for work soon, and the potential search for employment has him eyeing a return to Major League Soccer.

Rangers is ready to part ways with the U.S. national team winger in January and sources tell SBI that Beasley is looking for a return to MLS, but his asking price might prevent the reunion from happening.

 

The race to land Oguchi Onyewu in the winter transfer period is heating up and a pair of French clubs are battling for his services.

Multiple reports out of France have Olympique Marseille and Paris St. Germain lining up bids for the U.S. national team defender, which could make for a tense few weeks.

Nobody ever said things would be easy for Freddy Adu, but things are starting to get really tough for the young American playmaker.

Struggling badly for playing time for AS Monaco all season, Adu took the field late in a match Monaco was leading 3-2 against Bordeaux. A pair of Adu mistakes later, Monaco was dealt a painful 4-3 loss by Bordeaux and viewers in America watching on Setanta Sports were left wondering if, and when, things would start to turn around for Adu.

When the New England Revolution drafted former Duke standout Mike Videira last year, it was seen as a hopeful pick on a first-round talent who was determined to play in Europe. That second-round pick isn't looking like such a waste now.

The Revs announced the signing of Videira on Monday, almost a full year after drafting him with the 18th overall pick in the 2008 MLS Draft.

For those of you who have missed it, ESPN Classic has begun airing ESPN Soccernett Press Pass every Monday and Friday at 7pm. Hosted by Adrian Healey and including New England head coach Steve Nicol, Tommy Smyth and Janusz Mchallik, the show is one of the best you will see discussing American soccer.

[Photo by the always fantastic Robert Absolonne - click for full size] Mr. Onyewu scored the middle goal in Standard's 3-0 UEFA Cup rout of Samdoria on Wednesday night. The Belgian champs are perfect through three group matches and assured of a place in the knockouts. Their European form could play a part in whether "Guchi" (as he is called around Sclessin) accepts the team's contract renewal

A report is making the rounds suggesting that Napoli have clinched a deal to acquire Borussia Dortmund center back Neven Subotić in January, so I asked his agent about it. Said Steve Kelly: "100% rubbish." That is all. - Greg Seltzer

[Photo: Hannover 96] I will add quite a bit as the day goes, but wanted to get these early notes up fast, so... #1 - Hansa Rostock have made an offer to Hannover 96 for Sal Zizzo, and the Reds are willing to talk deal. I do not yet know whether this is a loan offer or a transfer offer, but I am busy trying to chase down a vacationing German to find out.

With MLS up to a baker's dozen in seasons, it seemed like as good a time as any to see how much and how well the domestic league has manufactured players. With more and more league products heading to foreign soil, there's been a lot of talk the last few years over whether players are better or worse off developmentally for going abroad - much of which ends up being too broad and filled with

U.S. national team defender added some extra momentum to his already soaring stock with a goal today in Standard Liege's 3-0 UEFA Cup stroll past Italian side Sampdoria. Onyewu's header helped the Belgian club qualify for the UEFA Cup's round of 32.

That sound you hear is European clubs getting funds together to bid on the big American center back, who is in the midst of another stellar club season.

Okay... I have a few transfer bits, but I need to sort it all out and write up a couple items. I will slowly build this post up as I go. Here is the Cliff Notes version: Davies is, in fact, in deep talks with a Ligue 1 team, believed to be Sochaux (but not confirmed)... Onyewu has two tabled offers and wider interest from several teams.

Out-of contract Houston defender Bobby Boswell is in currently in negotiaions with Turkish Super League strugglers Antalyaspor. The 2006 MLS Defender of the Year is currently in Antalya, and manager Mehmet Özdilek is hoping they can strike a deal quickly to get the American in uniform for their winter break friendlies.

 

                                                    Photo by ISIphotos.com

By GIANFRANCO PANIZO

You can add another name to the growing list of players to leave the New England Revolution for Europe.

Shortly after watching skipper Andy Griffin flop around like a fish as West Ham's Carlton Cole screwed home the equalizer, Stoke City forward Ricardo Fuller sauntered away from the ensuing kickoff at the center spot, taking just a brief moment to slap his teammate in the face. Yes, I said he slapped his own teammate in the face on the field of play during a match.

Still working on some things here, but I'll get you started with what I know so far... The wishful thinking talk that DaMarcus Beasley could leave Rangers for MLS is just that. According to his agent, Lyle Yorks, coming home is not an option for him at this time - nor should it be, says I.The rumours linking Standard Liège backline cop Oguchi Onyewu with Fulham (again) are just that (again).

 

If you were hoping to see Jozy Villarreal loaned out to a smaller European team with the hope of getting more playing time in the second half of the European season, it isn't going to happen.

Villarreal manager Manuel Pellegrini stated after his team's recent win against Recreativo Huelva that none of Villarreal's players will be leaving on loan this winter, and that all, including Altidore, will remain until the end of the season.

Shuck and jive and all that jazz... #1 - Don't expect Michael Parkhurst to be unveiled at FC Nordsjælland until next week, but fear not. The deal is completely done, just shhhh don't tell anybody yet. The Wild Tigers head into the winter break after Monday's visit from Aarhus GF, and then we will see the erstwhile New England Rev presented by his new employers.

I've gotten birdie word that Rangers winger DaMarcus Beasley is being sought by Wolfsburg, and a report out of Scotland suggests that Espanyol are also interested. I was hoping to get something on this today, but alas... I must return to the trail in the morning. With any luck, I should have a story up at Soccer 365 before lunchtime in New York.

 

Jozy Altidore didn't score a goal, nor was he one of the standouts for Villarreal against Getafe on Saturday, but the fact is the young American striker played 90 minutes in a crucial La Liga match and didn't look out of place.

Altidore didn't score in his second straight league start, but he did have a header that forced a save and eventually led to Villarreal's first goal as the 'Yellow Submarine' rallied back from a 3-0 deficit to salvage a 3-3 tie.

I hope to have much more on several interesting bits later in the day, but thought I'd drop morsels as I go. Blackburn have been mentioned in the Belgian press as a new suitor for Standard defender Oguchi Onyewu. Apparently, 'Gladbach have also stepped up their chase - but a scan of their fan forum shows the supporters are extremely pessimistic over their chances of landing the U.

2008 MLS Defender of the Year and newly-minted MLS Cup champion Chad Marshall is out of contract, and is taking full advantage of being a free agent.

The imposing center back has turned up on trial at Bundesliga 2 side Mainz 05, the same club that Neven Subotic played for last year, and the same club Colorado Rapids striker Conor Casey once played for.

Welcome to Friday's running transfer watch post. Please take off your shoes, help yourself to some juice and a saucijzenbroodje. According to Radio Monte Carlo's website, Standard are asking €3 million from Marseille for Oguchi Onyewu - sounds more than fair to me. Footy Blog reports that Toronto FC are in hot pursuit of Trinidad & Tobago ace Keon Daniel.

According to multiple reports from France (such as this one), Olympique Marseille have reduced the candidates for their winter defense expense down to Standard's Oguchi Onyewu and Galatasaray's Turkey center back Servet Çetin. After taking in Gala's 3-1 win at Gençlerbirliği on Friday night, L'OM scouts were on hand to see Gooch & Co.

I've changed my mind; I'll do one of these now, the next Top 5 will come tomorrow... #1 - A quick note from Friday: West Ham defender Jonathan Spector made a second team return in an exhibition win over the Generation adidas team sent by MLS. The U.S. international, on the last leg of a long recovery from hip troubles, served as captain and scored a goal.

Standard defender and headline transfer topic Oguchi Onyewu has made what could be construed as a subtle wink to his two Ligue 1 suitors, Olympique Marseille and Paris St. Germain. Talking with Sport 10, Gooch said, "I'm leaving the door open. I need to see what opportunites are offered to me." "(Marseille and PSG) are two large clubs.

And the West London derby scoreboard shall read: Chelsea 2, Clint Dempsey 2 That's right, ol' Deuce has done it again - only this time twice as nice. The U.S. international scored an easy opener against nearby rivals Chelsea, then eventually nodded home the last gasp equalizer to gain Fulham a home share on Sunday.

And no, I'm not referring to that infernal early Christmas Muzak at the mall. I don't have a mall, so why would it be that? I am referring to the silly season. Ho ho ho. Soon, girls and boys, clubs will unwrap their fancy new transfer presents - several of which are bound to be American-made. Since it's a busy day and I have someone distracting me like a distracting distracter from

I'm clearly too excited to sleep past 7 now. Excellent. Super. #1 - Okay... here's the deal. My Euro-silly season Top 5 List has been chopped up three days in a row by a news item. It's pissing me off. So I'm tossing this one out and shall come up with a fresh new unmolested topic. And yes, it would have been fine had I posted it on Monday - although I would have only gone 50/50 on a pair of

Dr. Kelso: Buzzy, buzz, buzz... Dr. Cox: I... beg your pardon? Dr. Kelso: Oh, uh, that's the sound of all the bees in your bonnet. And, Perry, even though I could give a rat's ass, I still think it's a pretty sound. Since I know you do all give a rat's ass (and my attempts to capture some exclusive quotes are momentarily snagged due to time zone differences), I thought it best to drop a few

 

In the on-going battle for playing time, some of the U.S. national team's top young players enjoyed good weeks.

From Michael Bradley, who earned a start in Borussia Moenchengladbach's loss to Borussia Dortmund, to Jozy Altidore, who played significant minutes in a crucial match against Sevilla for Villarreal, there was definitely some progress to be made on at least a few Americans Abroad fronts.

Watch as Clint Dempsey ably caps Fulham's 3-0 win over Middlesbrough with his second league goal of the term. Surprisingly, the 10th place Cottagers are now unbeaten in seven and have only lost once since October 4th. - Greg Seltzer

 

DaMarcus Beasley could be looking for work soon, and the potential search for employment has him eyeing a return to Major League Soccer.

Rangers is ready to part ways with the U.S. national team winger in January and sources tell SBI that Beasley is looking for a return to MLS, but his asking price might prevent the reunion from happening.

Columbus defender Chad Marshall has bucked a few growing trends by signing a multi-year extension with the MLS champs. The center back rejected an offer to join 2.Bundesliga leaders Mainz 05 in order to stay with the Crew. To be blunt, I like Marshall's call here. Aside from Mainz, he seemed to have only mild interest from Denmark and Germany, despite being available on a free transfer.

 

If there was any doubt before, Clint Dempsey provided the clearest evidence to date that he is truly back to his best.

The U.S. national team star scored two goals, including an 89th minute equalizer to help Fulham register a 2-2 tie vs. Chelsea on Sunday.

Dempsey's brace was the highlight of a pretty good day for Americans in England.

When the New England Revolution drafted former Duke standout Mike Videira last year, it was seen as a hopeful pick on a first-round talent who was determined to play in Europe. That second-round pick isn't looking like such a waste now.

The Revs announced the signing of Videira on Monday, almost a full year after drafting him with the 18th overall pick in the 2008 MLS Draft.

After dealing with the frustration that comes with the inconsistent form of Brazilian goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp looks set to turn to an American goalkeeper to provide a more stable answer in net.

Tottenham is considering a winter move for Marcus Hahnemann, who is reportedly set to consider a move away from Reading after failing to reach an agreement on a long-term deal with the League Championship club.