HANNOVER, Germany – Several Americans crossed the chalk lines overseas on Sunday, headlined by AZ Alkmaar striker Jozy Altidore notching his first pro hat trick – and grabbing an assist – in a 4-0 rout of Roda JC.
The leading Eredivisie scorer opened in the 13th minute by running onto a Viktor Elm through ball to fire home high with his left foot. Near the half-hour, Altidore's hard back post shot-cum-pass was deposited by Erik Falkenburg.
Ten minutes before halftime, the US striker chested down a Maarten Martens lob to stab home his second of the day. Altidore completed the scoring with his seventh of the season in the 65th minute by expertly working a give-and-go with Adam Maher to finish lefty again.
The day's haul took Altidore up to seven goals in five league games this season. The Cheese Farmers, meanwhile, extended their Eredivisie unbeaten run at home to 25 games to reach seventh place.
Across the water in England, Clint Dempsey made his Tottenham Hotspur debut with 12 minutes off the bench in a 3-1 victory at Reading. Countryman Brad Friedel needed only one save in goal as Spurs broke into the win column.
Turning to Bundesliga, Fabian Johnson and Daniel Williams each saw yellow in a full shift as Hoffenheim stayed bottom with a 5-3 loss at Freiburg.
Johnson assisted on the 2-2 equalizer near the hour, surging into the area from left back to set up Boris Vukcevic. Williams, meanwhile, was among the Hoffenheim culpable on the home side's late capper.
Over the border, Clarence Goodson and Brøndby blew a two-goal lead in settling for a 2-2 home draw with AC Horsens. With 25 minutes to play, the skipper was charged with the penalty area foul that allowed the visitors to break on the scoreboard.
Charlie Davies came on for the final 30 minutes as slipping Randers FC fell 4-0 at Aalborg BK. The Horses have dropped three straight to tumble down to sixth place.
Nearby in Norway, Mikkel Diskerud ably went the distance as Rosenborg stayed a point off the top with a 3-0 humbling of Vålerenga. Chad Barrett worked 56 quiet minutes for the visitors, who have lost three straight road games by a 9-2 margin.
Despite another strong outing in goal from Steve Clark, Hønefoss were forced to rally near time for a 2-2 share with guests Viking. The Michigan native is now the second-highest rated Tippeligaen goalkeeper on the season by leading Norwegian daily VG.
Next door in Sweden, Brian Span made a late cameo in Djurgården's galling 3-0 home defeat to derby rivals AIK.
