AMSTERDAM – John Anthony Brooks and Hertha Berlin had a very rough day at the home office on Sunday, dropping a 5-0 decision to Hoffenheim.
The US defender was directly culpable on the visitors' first two strikes. An embarrassed Brooks found the back of his own net with the attempted clearance of a left-wing cross for the first own goal of his career in the 23rd minute, but his troubles had only begun.
Just three minutes later, a clumsy touch in the Hertha area compelled Brooks to kick out at Sven Schipplock, who went down easy for a penalty call that was highly disputed by the hosts. Sejad Salihović then buried the resulting spot kick to double the Hoffenheim lead.
The errors were not by Brooks alone on this day, with his teammates offering up another first half penalty kick for the third, getting caught out on the counter following an attacking corner kick for the fourth, and turning the ball over in front of goal after a curious dribble back into the box for the capper. It marked the first time Hertha had allowed five goals in a league game since March of 2012.
The American's early gaffes overshadowed the fact that he won all six of his aerial duels, led all players with 11 clearances and added five pass interceptions. As for the capital crew, they lost for the third time in the last four home games, missing a chance to climb clear of the danger zone and remaining in 13th place.
One flight down, Alfredo Morales and Ingolstadt maintained their seven-point tabletop cushion despite settling for a 2-2 share at Darmstadt.
The defensive midfielder worked a pesky full shift that included his team-high seventh yellow card. Morales had a good early chance to score in the 17th minute, only to have his direct free kick saved by the home netminder. Ingolstadt enter the winter break unbeaten in five.
Over in England's Premier League, Jozy Altidore was an unused sub as Sunderland pulled off a last-minute 1-0 winner away to archrivals Newcastle.
