AMSTERDAM – A pair of US national team attackers clocked in for cup duty on Tuesday, with Nantes' Alejandro Bedoya bagging the late winner in a 2-0 Coupe de la Ligue victory over visiting Lorient.
The home side squandered several good chances over the opening hour, with Bedoya narrowly missing wide in both the 29th and 48th minutes. The Gold Cup star eventually found the breakthrough, slotting home a deflected cross at the back post 17 minutes from time.
The result put Nantes in the sweet 16 of the tournament for the first time since 2006.
Over in England's Capital One Cup, Brek Shea (above) worked 45 minutes as fourth-round visitors Stoke City outlasted Birmingham City on penalty kicks following a wild 4-4 draw.
Shea could have notched a win-sealing assist late in the second extra session, but slip pass beneficiary Kenwyne Jones was unsuccessful in trying to round the 'keeper. After the Brums equalized in the 118th minute, the US winger and his teammates celebrated a 4-2 spot-kicks decision.
The quarterfinal draw for the Capital One Cup will take place on Wednesday, with the matches tentatively set for December 16.
