AMSTERDAM – Three Americans were in action overseas on Friday, with Jonathan Spector and Birmingham City now needing a home rally after falling 1-0 in the first leg of their promotion playoff semifinal tie with Blackpool.
The US handyman was drafted into midfield with 16 minutes remaining, but the Brums were unable to cancel a first-half Curtis Davies own-goal. The teams will reunite at St. Andrews on May 9 to decide who will face the West Ham United-Cardiff City survivor for a place in the EPL next season.
Over in Norway's Tippeligaen, Ricardo Clark and Sean Cunningham put in full shifts as Stabæk remained winless after a 3-1 loss at Rosenborg.
While the former returned from suspension with a solid midfield shift, Cunningham had perhaps his roughest outing in defense since joining the club on loan. Stabæk have dropped six straight since an opening day draw to remain glued to league floor.
