Back from the international break that saw Canada drop both games, for the most part, the names familiar to supporters still got a run out on the pitch this past weekend. As we head into the final months of the fall/winter season, some intriguing battles are taking place for both promotion and relegation that has Canadians playing integral roles. From Iain Hume at Doncaster in England’s League One, to Kevin McKenna in the 2.Bundesliga, there are some heated races that will no doubt come down to the wire.
In Germany
While the first division in Germany continues to disappoint with Olivier Occean nowhere to be seen in a faltering Eintracht Frankfurt side, and Marcel De Jong’s appearances with relegation-bound Augsburg few and far between, it’s down to the 2.Bundesliga where the last few weeks, and ones to come, will not disappoint.
A real story has emerged with FC Koln now back in the promotion picture on an amazing 15-game unbeaten run in the league. While they appear to be out of reach towards Hertha BSC and Eintracht Braunschweig, a 2-1 victory over Jahn Regensburg, with Kevin McKenna scoring the opening goal, has put them a point ahead of Kaiserslautern in third place and the promotion playoff spot. This Friday will be a huge battle as Koln will travel to Kaiserslautern and have a chance to open up their lead.
Not far off from that third place, another Canadian has emerged in the 2.Bundesliga. Rob Friend, the Canadian Tower, has finally appeared to find a team willing to give him a run and 1860 Munich are reaping the rewards. Friend netted his second of the season in a critical 1-0 victory on the road against Erzgebirge Aue. The win has them alone in fifth place and within two games of the promotion playoff spot.
In Turkey
Never a dull moment for Milan Borjan at Sivasspor, his side earned a huge win this weekend to keep distance from the relegation zone and continue their push up the table. Only three games separates Sivasspor from a Europa League spot, and one game from sixth place. A 3-2 victory over Orduspor was massive in keeping Orduspor towards the bottom and creating space between them and Sivasspor. Borjan had an up and down night, but his attack delivered the good with an extra time goal off a corner. Borjan was lucky in the dying seconds that a final attack had an Orduspor shot go off the woodwork. Sivasspor’s next few games are all against mid-table clubs, and the next three games will determine where they are destined to finish in 2012/13.
Milan Borjan has an up and down performance, makes a huge save here and the woodwork preserves a critical 3-2 win.
Here's how the rest of Canada's Internationals did Across the Pond:
Issey Nakajima-Farran – Alki (CPR – D1):
Saturday, March 30, played and scored A GOAL in a 6-5 victory over Ethnikos Achna.
Mike Klukowski – APOEL (CPR – D1):
Sunday, March 31, played all 90 minutes in a 2-0 victory over Anorthosis.
Simeon Jackson – Norwich City (ENG - D1):
Saturday, March 30, did not play in a 1-0 loss to Wigan.
David Edgar – Burnley (ENG - D2):
Friday, March 29, did not play in a 3-3 draw with Watford.
Iain Hume – Doncaster Rovers (ENG – D3):
Friday, March 29, played 66 minutes in a 1-0 loss to Coventry City.
Next match, Monday April 1 vs. Swindon Town.
Marcus Haber – Stevenage (ENG – D3):
Friday, March 29, played all 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Crawley Town.
Haidar Al-Shaibani – Nimes (FRA - D2):
Next match, Monday April 1 vs. Le Havre.
Olivier Occean – Eintracht Frankfurt (GER - D1):
Sunday, March 31, did not play in a 3-2 win over Greuther Furth.
Marcel De Jong – FC Augsburg (GER - D1):
Saturday, March 30, did not play in a 2-0 loss to Hannover 96.
Kevin McKenna – FC Koln (GER – B2):
Sunday, March 31, played all 90 minutes and scored A GOAL in a 2-1 victory over Jahn Regensburg.
Rob Friend – 1860 Munich (GER – B2):
Thursday, March 28, played all 90 minutes and scored A GOAL in a 1-0 victory over Erzgebirge Aue.
Randy Edwini-Bonsu – Eintracht Braunschweiger (GER - D2):
Thursday, March 28, did not play in a 2-1 victory over Dynamo Dresden.
Julian De Guzman – Jahn Regensburg (GER – B2):
Sunday, March 31, played all 90 minutes in a 2-1 loss to FC Koln.
Adam Straith – Saarbrucken (GER - D3):
Saturday, March 30, did not play in a 2-1 victory over Babalsberg.
Tomer Chencinski – Maccabi Tel Aviv (ISR – D1):
Sunday, March 30, did not play in a 0-0 draw with Maccabi Haifa.
Atiba Hutchinson – PSV Eindoven (NED - D1):
Sunday, March 31, played all 90 minutes in a 2-2 draw with Roda JC.
Pedro Pacheco – Santa Clara (POR – D2):
Saturday, March 30, played 76 minutes in a 1-0 loss to Atletico CP.
Andre Hainault – Ross County (SCO – D1):
Satruday, March 30, did not play in a 1-0 loss to Kilmarnock.
Stefan Cebara – NK Celje (SLV – D1):
Saturday, March 30, did not play in a 0-0 draw with Aluminij.
Milan Borjan – Sivasspor (TUR – D1):
Saturday, March 30, played all 90 minutes in a 3-2 victory over Orduspor.
Lucas Cavallini – Juventud de las Piedras (URU – D1):
Saturday, March 30, played and scored A GOAL in a 5-2 loss to Bella Vista.
ACROSS THE BORDER
Will Johnson scores his first goal against Colorado ...
and gets the brace from the spot in a 2-2 draw away from home.
Jonathan Osorio gets his first goal for TFC in a 2-2 draw with LA.
Dwayne De Rosario – DC United:
Next match, Friday April 5 v Sporting Kansas City.
Kyle Porter – DC United:
Next match, Friday April 5 v Sporting Kansas City.
Dejan Jakovic – DC United:
Next match, Friday April 5 v Sporting Kansas City.
Patrice Bernier – Montreal Impact:
Saturday, March 30, played all 90 minutes in a 2-0 loss to Kansas City.
Karl Ouimette – Montreal Impact:
Saturday, March 30, played all 90 minutes in a 2-0 loss to Kansas City.
Will Johnson – Portland Timbers:
Saturday, March 30, played all 90 minutes and scored TWO GOALS in a 2-2 draw with Colorado.
Ashtone Morgan – Toronto FC:
Saturday, March 30, did not play in a 2-2 draw with LA Galaxy.
Terry Dunfield – Toronto FC:
Saturday, March 30, played 64 minutes in a 2-2 draw with LA Galaxy.
Jonathan Osorior – Toronto FC:
Saturday, March 30, subbed in at the 66th minute, and scored A GOAL in a 2-2 draw with LA Galaxy.
Kyle Bekker – Toronto FC:
Saturday, March 30, did not play in a 2-2 draw with LA Galaxy.
Emory Welshman – Toronto FC:
Saturday, March 30, did not play in a 2-2 draw with LA Galaxy.
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