He's Back Here-tha: John Anthony Brooks at Hertha Berlin

Discussion in 'Yanks Abroad' started by Pagefan, Dec 14, 2009.

  1. zlatan_but_a_car

    Botswana Meat Commission FC
    United States
    Oct 16, 2017
    half-time at 0-0. Match report says that Hertha put one in the net just 7' into the match, but it was called back after a VAR review.

    Might put this one on in the background while i work.
     
  2. zlatan_but_a_car

    Botswana Meat Commission FC
    United States
    Oct 16, 2017
    heading to extra time in Berlin with the match at 0-0. I can confirm that JAB is still alive and capable of doing warm-up drills.

    Hertha have only used 2 subs so far, so the dream is still alive
     
  3. zlatan_but_a_car

    Botswana Meat Commission FC
    United States
    Oct 16, 2017
    #5403 zlatan_but_a_car, Feb 10, 2026
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2026
    match goes to PKs at 1-1.

    JAB is a DNP.

    edit: Berlin lose on PKs. Womp womp...
     
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  4. adam tash

    adam tash Member+

    Jul 12, 2013
    Barcelona, Spain
    Nat'l Team:
    United States


    John Brooks is finally back. He played the last few minutes in Hertha's match against Bochum this Saturday. Brooks has been plagued by injuries in the last few years, and the last time he saw any playing time was back in 2024, almost two years ago

    just in time for the WC
     
  5. felloveranddidanadu

    Plymouth Argyle FC
    Dec 12, 2009
    Club:
    San Jose Frogs
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    He looks so happy. That makes me happy too. JAB, you were a great one
     
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  6. Deeneaus

    Deeneaus Member+

    Aug 29, 2007
    America/Deutschland
    Club:
    Arminia Bielefeld
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    So great to see JAB still going! Have always loved his game and so glad he's back doing so at Hertha.
     
  7. keller4president

    Jan 5, 2006
  8. The Irish Rover

    The Irish Rover Member+

    Aug 1, 2010
    Dublin
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Ireland Republic
    His age plus his history of being chronically crocked means no club would take him on, even at the league/division minimum salary. He just couldn't be relied on to be fit and he'd be a headache for their fitness team.

    IMO he might get something from an Oberliga or RL side with a wealthy backer who'd sign him for the marketing impact. Otherwise, with him turning 34 in January, he'll have to hang up his boots.
     
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  9. adam tash

    adam tash Member+

    Jul 12, 2013
    Barcelona, Spain
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    im sure he could play in MLS
     
  10. tomásbernal

    tomásbernal Member+

    Sep 4, 2007
    Club:
    Portland Timbers
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Why? Who would take a 33 year old CB that has played 1 minute in the last two years due to injuries and is currently injured (again--calf, ankle, hamstring, rinse, repeat)? Maybe some MLS club would give him a one-plus-one year contract for something under $200k. But I think it's much more likely that he retires, and that no one would offer him even that contract anyway.
     
  11. felloveranddidanadu

    Plymouth Argyle FC
    Dec 12, 2009
    Club:
    San Jose Frogs
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Damn, we're nearing the end of a fairytale turned nightmare. How many of us thought when he scored that goal in the 2014 world cup that he'd go on to be a top center back? He was a better version of Tim Ream at his peak but sadly his body couldn't keep up and his already somewhat limited athleticism became ever moreso.

    Johnny B, when you were on, you were really on. Elegant, precise, cerebral...a real player's player. I salute my full back tattoo to you, sir.
     
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  12. The Irish Rover

    The Irish Rover Member+

    Aug 1, 2010
    Dublin
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Ireland Republic
    #5412 The Irish Rover, May 19, 2026
    Last edited: May 19, 2026
    Really? Based on what evidence? He's played all of 1 minute - no, that's not a typo, it's one minute - in the last 2 consecutive seasons.

    When a Euro joins MLS, the usual question is whether his game translates to MLS and his body can handle the league's physical demands - the heat, the hard surfaces, the travel, etc. For Brooks, it's whether he can pass a basic fitness test, not for squad selection, but to join a squad for training in the first place.

    You may be sure he could play in MLS. MLS medical staffs won't. Neither will M:LS insurers. Whose opinion do you think counts more?
     
  13. dspence2311

    dspence2311 Member+

    Oct 14, 2007
    Well said. And I will always remember the level of ecstasy he seemingly felt when he netted a WC goal.
     
  14. felloveranddidanadu

    Plymouth Argyle FC
    Dec 12, 2009
    Club:
    San Jose Frogs
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    In that moment, he was one of us. One of my favorite USMNT memories
     
  15. quolo

    quolo Member

    Fulham
    United States
    May 11, 2005
    Austin/NYC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    There was a time when Mr. Brooks would be the first name I would have inked in on the USMNT team sheet. For a time, he was sublime.

    I'd sure like to see him have a better final chapter as a player.
     

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