AMSTERDAM – Americans playing in Europe went back to the club grind on Saturday, with Nantes attacker Alejandro Bedoya hopping off the bench to fire the late 1-0 winner at Ajaccio.
The New Jersey native was brought on in the 81st minute and scant moments later was celebrating his first Ligue 1 goal. With five minutes to play, Bedoya pounced on a cross misplayed by Ajaccio's Mexico goalie Guillermo Ochoa to claim the points for his side.
With their fourth win in a row, surprise package Nantes rose one rung to fourth place.
Across the channel in England's Premier League, Tim Howard enjoyed an easy afternoon's work in Everton's 2-1 defeat of visiting Hull City.
The US No. 1 did not require a single save to win for the fourth time in five league games, extending his home unbeaten run to 13 games. The win tentatively lifted Everton up to fifth place.
Around the EPL, Jozy Altidore came on for the final eight minutes of last place Sunderland's 4-0 loss at Swansea City. The Black Cats have now dropped six EPL matches in a row.
One league below in the Championship, Tim Ream continued his fine form in central defense as Bolton settled for a 1-1 home share with Sheffield Wednesday. Now undefeated in four, Wanderers remained a point above the drop zone with the result.
Turning to the Bundesliga, Timothy Chandler and FC Nürnberg fought back late for a 1-1 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt. Still winless through nine, Der Club slipped into the survival playoff spot.
Over in Norway, Mikkel Diskerud was a difference-maker off the bench as Rosenborg conditionally returned to the Tippeligaen penthouse thanks to a 1-0 victory at IK Start.
The US midfielder had a shot cleared off the line just after entering play and also had a decent penalty shout ignored shortly before Jonas Svensson decided the contest on 84 minutes.
The Troll Kids stand three points ahead of Sunday combatants Strømsgodset, who hold a double-digits goal differential advantage.
Greg Seltzer covers Americans based in Europe for MLSsoccer.com.
