Joy At The Millerntor As Ian Scores For St. Pauli

San Diego native Ian Joy scored his first career goal for St. Pauli, as the 2nd Bundesliga club beat Augsburg 2-0 today. A defender, Joy got his start at Tranmere a decade ago as a 16 year old. Along the way he has played at Montrose and Kidderminster in Scotland, Columbus Crew, Chester City and Pauli's crosstown rival Hamburg SV. He's also represented the U.S. at several youth international levels (this information all courtesy of Yanks Abroad).

Germany's kicker.de reports Joy struck a left-footed volley from the side of the penalty box that left Augsburg goalkeeper Sven Neuhaus no chance. This in the 17th minute. St. Pauli doubled up in the second half. Newly-promoted Pauli, who literally play at a fairgrounds (I've been there) and have a rather eclectic following, now sit 1oth in the second Bundesliga. Read more about the "cult" phenomenon of the "Kiez club" at their Wikipedia entry.

Joy wasn't the only American to score in European leagues this weekend.Yesterday we told you about Jonathan Spector's goal for West Ham (though final word on whether Spector will in fact get credit or if it gets credited as an own-goal by Eddie Lewis are still outstanding. I have emails in to the league about that) and Michael Bradley scored for Heerenveen as well.