AMSTERDAM – Tim Ream and Bolton came agonizingly close to a huge FA Cup upset on Wednesday night, but would go down a man late and then concede to fall 2-1 against visiting Liverpool in their Fourth Round replay encounter.
The US international ably worked the left end of a three-man back line, ringing up six clearances, three tackles and a blocked shot. Ream was in no way at fault for either of the Reds' goals, which both came after Neil Danns was shown his second yellow card and the gate on 66 minutes.
The American also excelled in the long passing game while committing just a single handling turnover. However, Ream was a mere spectator when Philippe Coutinho blasted the last-minute decider in off the crossbar from long range.
Across the North Sea, Rubio Rubin came up empty in his return to the No. 9 role as FC Utrecht dropped a tough 1-0 result at Willem II.
The American moved the ball efficiently on the night, but was held to just one touch in the Tricolores area. While his teammates conspired to miss the frame no less than five times from directly in front of goal, Rubin's lone shot attempt was a 30-yard bomb that drew a save midway through the opening frame.
Despite losing for the third time in four games, the Red-and-White Army stayed put in 12th place.
Over in Germany, John Anthony Brooks went unused as Hertha Berlin slipped into the danger zone after a 1-0 home loss to Bayer Leverkusen.
