AMSTERDAM – It was another busy Saturday for Americans playing Europe, with Geoff Cameron helping Stoke City post a 1-0 victory at West Ham United.
The right back saw yellow near time of a solid outing. The win ensured Stoke will stand in no worse than sixth place when the third round of Premier League matches concludes on Sunday.
Around the league, Tim Howard and Everton settled for a 0-0 draw at promoted Cardiff City.
The US netminder was compelled into just one save to record his second clean sheet in a row. The Toffees, who have shared the points in each of their matches this season, are now winless in 10 EPL road games.
One level down in the Championship, Eric Lichaj picked up a yellow card as Nottingham Forest were knocked out of the league penthouse by a 2-1 defeat at Wigan.
The right back should have earned an equalizing assist when his 57th-minute cross fell to Andy Reid at the back post, only to have the Irish international nod over. Forest's first loss of the season dipped them down to fourth place.
Daniel Williams was an effective 37th-minute tactical substitute in Reading's 1-0 win at Yeovil Town.
The US midfielder narrowly missed opening his Royals account with a volley just over the bar near halftime. The victory raised Reading three rungs to ninth.
Birmingham City central park ranger Jonathan Spector went the distance in a 1-1 home share with Ipswich Town. With but one win in five, the Brums slipped to 19th place.
Meanwhile, Zak Whitbread went unused as Leicester fell for the first time this season, 2-1 at Charlton.
Over in the Bundesliga, John Brooks and Hertha Berlin lost their undefeated record after being blanked 2-0 at Wolfsburg.
The youngster was guilty of a bad giveaway with the game still scoreless near the break, as well as the controversial penalty decision and Diego conversion that followed. Despite the defeat, the capital crew can land no lower than seventh place after Sunday's completion of round four.
Schalke midfield cop Jermaine Jones worked the final 12 minutes in a 2-0 triumph over regional guests Bayer Leverkusen.
The veteran almost immediately made an impact, shipping the pass that led to Jefferson Farfán's clinching spot kick in the 83rd minute. Thanks to their first league win of the term, the Miners rose to 13th.
Timothy Chandler made a last-minute cameo as FC Nürnberg dropped a 1-0 decision to visiting Augsburg.
Next door in France's Ligue 1, Alejandro Bedoya and Nantes were foiled repeatedly in a 0-0 stalemate at fellow risers Reims.
The American delivered set-ups that deserved better finishes near the end of each half. The result docked the Canaries in 11th place.
In Norway's Tippeligaen, Mikkel Diskerud worked a solid 82-minute shift in Rosenborg's leave-it-late 2-1 home win over Aalesund FK. The win tentatively lifted the Troll Kids five points clear at the top.
