AMSTERDAM – Three Americans clocked in overseas on Sunday, with relief striker Rubio Rubin coming agonizingly close to a game-winning assist in FC Utrecht's 2-2 rally draw at Groningen in the Netherlands.
The American entered an already-tied Eredivisie contest on 62 minutes for his first sub shift since October. Rubin created a pair of good chances for a decider while completing all six of his passes. Édouard Duplan fired well wide from Rubin's first area set-up on 71 minutes, and then the Frenchman was robbed at the doorstep from another two minutes from time. The 11th place visitors also struck the woodwork twice, settling for the share.
Next door in Belgium, Sacha Kljestan worked the final half hour as 10-man Anderlecht suffered a 2-0 derby defeat at Standard Liège. The midfielder nearly got his side on the board near time, only to drag an effort just wide of the far post. The result, which snapped a four-game run of shutout victories in league play, cost Anderlecht the chance to tentatively go top.
Over in England, Brad Guzan watched on from the home dugout as Aston Villa advanced to the last 16 of the FA Cup with a 2-1 victory over Bournemouth. The fifth round draw will take place on Monday night.
