AMSTERDAM – Rookie FC Utrecht attacker Rubio Rubin opened his Eredivisie account by tacking on a late strike to add insult to injury in a 5-1 win over Saturday night hosts NAC Breda.
The young American continued his string of starts playing in a position behind the striker, impressing yet again. Rubin bagged his first pro goal for Utrecht's fourth, depositing the rebound from a direct free kick in the 83rd minute (video).
The Oregon native easily could have had another on the day. Rubin had one late shot from nearly 30 yards pawed away, a close-range shot saved by the Breda goalkeeper, and then another off the crossbar all in the 86th minute.
Rubin also participated in a pair of rushes that resulted in goals for teammates as the Red and White Army ran their unbeaten streak against NAC to five games. Utrecht also moved into ninth place with the win, and level on points with sixth.
The news was not so good for AZ Alkmaar forward Aron Johannsson, who left with what appeared to be a significant hamstring injury in the 66th minute of an otherwise happy 2-0 road victory over Cambuur.
Before the injury, the US forward was working a decent shift. However, he did miss the target on a pair of good chances divided by the break. Nevertheless, fifth place AZ moved to within seven points of the top spot thanks to their third win in a row.
Across the water in England, Jozy Altidore came close to taking part in a famous winner twice in the waning moments as Sunderland bravely battled visiting Premier League leaders Chelsea to a 0-0 draw.
The US forward entered the fray just past the hour mark. With the clubs swapping late punches, Altidore had two shots blocked away and created two other chances for teammates.
In the 82nd minute, Altidore breached the area to put a low shot on frame, but Chelsea backstop Thibaut Courtois made the stop and got some help from his defense to usher the ball away. Four minutes later, Altidore's shot caromed off a defender to a wide open Adam Johnson, but he somehow fired wide from the doorstep.
Sunderland have now drawn three straight and have a league-high eight ties in 13 games. The point gained nudged them up a rung to 13th place.
One flight below in the Championship, Tim Ream put on a good show as Bolton continued to heat up, blanking guests Huddersfield Town 1-0.
In addition to helping his team forward with his passing game, the left back picked off four passes. Up four spots to 18th place, Wanderers have three wins in their last four matches.
Nottingham Forest right back Eric Lichaj also put in a solid performance in a tough 2-1 loss at Birmingham City.
In the 84th minute, Lichaj's cross was nodded along for Britt Assombalonga to bury the equalizer. The Illinois native also pitched in with six clearances and three tackles, but the Brums scored near time to grab the win and shove the Reds down to ninth.
Fulham midfielder Emerson Hyndman worked 63 minutes as the visitors scored a 2-1 victory at Brighton & Hove Albion.
The teenager departed with the game tied after completing 46 of 52 passes. By snapping a four-game drought without a win away from home, the Cottagers climbed to 16th place.
Reading's Daniel Williams played 83 minutes, aiding in a 2-1 win at Norwich City.
The midfielder cared well for the ball in limited touches and added a pair of blocked shots at the top of the area as the 14th-place Royals halted a four-game losing streak on the road.
Finally, Oguchi Onyewu went unused in Charlton's 1-0 home loss to Ipswich Town. With but one win in six, the Addicks dropped to 10th place.
