AMSTERDAM – Late Ingolstadt sub Edson Buddle didn't need long to join the party on Sunday, scoring his side's fourth goal only four minutes after entering a 4-1 drubbing of home side Karlsruher.
The former LA Galaxy star nodded past fellow US international Luis Robles 10 minutes from time as the 17th-place visitors moved to within three points of a safety place.
Buddle has now hit for each of his 2.Bundesliga goals against American keepers, having opened his German account versus Duisburg's David Yelldell.
Over in Scotland, Maurice Edu notched an "NHL assist" as Rangers gained ground on beaten leaders Celtic by routing St. Johnston 4-0 at Ibrox.
The Light Blues opened just five minutes in when Nikica Jelavić deposited the carom after Edu's drive from the top of the area was deflected into his path.
[inline_node:329507]South of the border in England's Premier League, Clint Dempsey went close to a late winner at the end of a strong shift as Fulham fought back for a 1-1 share at Manchester City.
The Cottagers, who have now lost just once in nine league outings, nearly grabbed the points when Dempsey's header flashed wide of frame with eight minutes remaining.
Jonathan Spector came on for eight minutes of relief work as West Ham United topped guests Liverpool 3-1 to climb two rungs out of the EPL cellar.
In a Dutch Eredivisie match that ended with each side short a man from red cards, Oguchi Onyewu and FC Twente suffered a dark cloud 2-1 defeat on a rainy day at AZ Alkmaar.
After equalizing two minutes from time, the Tukkers conceded in stoppage time when the US defender lost track of Erik Falkenburg long enough for the attacker to poke home the winner.
Finally, in Turkish second flight play, Freddy Adu worked a solid 55 minutes as Çaykur Rizespor battled to a scoreless stalemate at Güngören.
Check out the Feb. 24 edition of the ExtraTime Radio podcast, featuring D.C. United's Charlie Davies, Real Salt Lake's Nick Rimando and league executive Nelson Rodrigueztalking about the new playoff structure.
