AMSTERDAM – It was a tough Sunday for clubs employing Americans overseas, with Alejandro Bedoya and Nantes bested by a 1-0 count at Saint-Étienne.
The US attacker set up a good early chance for Yacine Bammou, who saw his eight-yard attempt blocked. Bedoya would complete 37 of 44 passes on the day, while adding two tackles. Tenth-place Nantes have dropped consecutive games for the first time in two months.
Turning to the Eredivisie, Rubio Rubin's FC Utrecht fell apart late at the back in a 2-0 defeat at nearby rivals ADO Den Haag.
The American struggled to have an impact from the right wing for the much of the game, but heated up late. One particular set-up eight minutes from time ended in a doorstep shot block. Now winless in four, the Red-and-White Army slipped behind their hosts to 13th.
In Norway's Tippeligaen, Cole Grossman went the distance as 10-man Stabæk dropped a 2-0 decision at Odds BK. The game was scoreless until Giorgi Gorozia was shown red in the 62nd minute, but it all went wrong from there for Bob Bradley's crew.
Next door in Sweden, Heath Pearce watched on as IFK Göteborg fell 1-0 at home to repeat holders Malmö FF. Despite their first loss of the season, the beaten hosts stayed put in fourth place through three rounds.
Greg Seltzer covers Americans based in Europe for MLSsoccer.com.
