AMSTERDAM — Sporting CP defender Oguchi Onyewu took center stage on Sunday, nodding home both goals in a 2-0 victory over visiting Beira-Mar in Portuguese league play.
After going into the ref's book mere seconds into the contest, the US star made a more positive contribution to the scoresheet with a powerful free kick header in the 17th minute. Ten minutes later, Onyewu repeated the feat from a corner kick.
The American now has three Liga Sagres strikes on the season, matching a career high twice-achieved while at Standard Liège. The win snapped a five-game league drought for Sporting, who held on to fourth place.
Elsewhere, Michael Bradley and Chievo slipped to 12th in Serie A with a 3-0 home defeat to Lazio.
The US midfielder departed the proceedings in a 73rd-minute tactical switch with his side still down only one goal. Chievo went on to leak another pair of goals as Lazio won at the Bentegodi for the fifth straight time.
Over in England, Eric Lichaj returned to the Aston Villa selection, joining Brad Guzan as unused subs in a 3-2 FA Cup loss at Arsenal.
