AMSTERDAM — FC Nordsjælland defender Michael Parkhurstscored the winner and added an assist as the Danish champs powered to a 6-1 rout of visiting Silkeborg on Saturday afternoon.
With the Wild Tigers already up one in the sixth minute, the US international was released into the area by an Ivan Runje splitting pass and made no mistake in beating the 'keeper for his first goal of the young season.
Then, just past the half hour, Parkhurst supplied an inch-perfect cross for the third of Joshua John's four goals on the day.
The win tentatively lifted Nordsjælland four spots to third place through five games.
Over in England, Brian McBride made his professional return, suiting up for ninth-flight Wembley FC and helping the mites post a 3-2 win over Langford in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round.
The former USMNT star was joined in coming out of retirement for the game by the likes of Graeme Le Saux, Martin Keown and Claudio Caniggia, who scored the game's opening goal. McBride, who went the distance up front, narrowly missed scoring.
Meanwhile, in the fourth tier of Scottish soccer, Carlos Bocanegra also went close as Rangers opened the new season with a 2-2 draw at Peterhead. The visitors -- who were forced to play in their training shirts -- blew an early lead after the break, but Kevin Kyle hit near time to gain the share.
