AMSTERDAM – Rubio Rubin and FC Utrecht experienced a frustrating Sunday, which saw them drop a tough 2-1 Eredivisie decision to visiting Heerenveen.
Making his third straight start in the No. 9 role, the teen US international and his teammates were mostly tame as the Frisians rang up a 1-0 halftime lead. Rubin & Co. ran wild after intermission to finish with 62% of possession and 28 total shots, but were unable to ring the bell until Willem Janssen's last-minute spot kick served as mere consolation.
Just before halftime, Rubin's diagonal lead pass from the left set up Edouard Duplan to strike the near post. Five minutes out of the break, he worked a splendid combination with Duplan, only to shoot just over from a good position in the box.
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The American also drew a close-range save 16 minutes from time and watched a pair of his set-ups end in wayward finishes by teammates. For the day, Rubin had plenty of influence in the team passing game while committing just two turnovers.
With plenty of missed chances to go around, the Red-and-White Army have now lost three straight at home for the first time since April of 2009. They have also dropped three of their last four league tilts overall to slip to 11th place.
Next door in Belgium, Sacha Kljestan came on for the final eight minutes to help defending champs Anderlecht close ground in the title race with a 3-0 win over visiting Lierse. Thanks to their fourth straight victory, the Mauves pulled to within two points of leaders Club Brugge.
