AMSTERDAM – Several Americans clocked in for Sunday duty across the pond, headlined by Michael Parkhurst hitting the winner as FC Nordsjælland sliced their Danish title deficit to three points by blanking hosts AC Horsens 2-0.
Near the half-hour, the right back worked a fatal give-and-go raid with Kasper Lorentzen to net his first goal in 80 career Superliga games. The victory, the Wild Tigers’ fifth from a six-game road unbeaten run, also put them seven points up on Horsens for the league's second Champions League invite.
Also in Denmark, Clarence Goodson stood tall at the back as warming Brøndby topped derby rivals Lyngby 2-1 to post their first win streak of the season. Now unbeaten in five, the Lads from the Western Outskirts moved 10 points clear of the drop zone and to within six of a Europa League slot.
Brad Rusin made a brief cameo at the end of HB Køge's surprising 4-2 win at Odense BK. Thanks to their second consecutive away win, the cellar-dwellers climbed to within 10 points of a safety slot.
Heading to Serie A, Chievo midfielder Michael Bradley was influential at both ends in a 1-1 draw with Siena.
The hosts went ahead after just nine minutes, when Francesco Acerbi nodded home a corner kick from the US international. However, shortly after intermission, an ill-advised Bradley backpass header was scooped up and slotted for the equalizer by Mattia Destro.
Turning to Scotland, Rangers held on from a late Carlos Bocanegra red card to put Celtic's title celebrations on ice with a 3-2 Old Firm triumph at Ibrox.
Before the defender committed an 88th-minute penalty kick foul with the hosts up three, both he and US teammate Maurice Edu had put in smart shifts. Alejandro Bedoya watched all the excitement from the dugout as the Light Blue opened up a three-point lead for the SPL's second Champions League berth.
Eredivisie action saw Jozy Altidore come off the bench at halftime to set up AZ Alkmaar's 1-0 winner over pesky RKC Waalwijk. Four minutes out of the break, the US striker gave up his body in the air to chest down for Johann Berg Gudmonsson to secure their one-point Eredivisie lead.
Next door in the Bundesliga, Timothy Chandler went the distance on right wing as FC Nürnberg suffered a tough 1-0 loss at southern rvials Stuttgart. The American nodded against the post with the game still scoreless at the hour, and they eventually conceded to drop their third straight game.
Finally, over in Norway, Ricardo Clark and Sean Cunningham made successful 90-minute debuts for Stabæk in a 0-0 opening day draw against visiting Aalesund FK. Clark saw yellow in defensive midfield, while the latter made a tidy pro bow at center back.
