AMSTERDAM – It was a hard Sunday for clubs fielding Americans overseas, with standout performer Michael Bradley the only winning participant in AS Roma's 4-1 cruise past visiting Palermo.
With Giallorossi stalwart Daniele De Rossi sidelined by an injury, the US midfielder took impressive command of traffic direction in the center of the park. Though Roma held in sixth place, ground was gained with three teams dropping points above them in the table.
Over in the Eredivisie, Jozy Altidore and AZ Alkmaar suffered in the rain, falling 2-1 to VVV Venlo.
Despite dominating possession, the Cheese Farmers struggled to unlock the away defense. Losers of three of their last four, AZ dipped a spot to 11th.
Along the North Sea in Denmark, it was another rough day at the office for Clarence Goodson as 10-man Brøndby dropped a 3-0 decision to rude guests Odense BK. The basement club has now lost four of five and remains winless at home since July.
Charlie Davies nearly played the hero after coming on for the final quarter-hour of Randers FC's 0-0 draw with visiting AC Horsens. The US forward's last-minute header flashed mere inches wide as the fifth place Horses stayed unbeaten in six.
A ferry ride away in Norway, Mikkel Diskerud had a rough 87-minute outing as Rosenborg saw their title hopes drastically reduced by a 2-1 late collapse defeat at second-place Strømsgodset. The Troll Kids slipped to third, four points off the top with two games remaining, by conceding twice in the final 23 minutes.
Steve Clark and Hønefoss were pegged back by an 82nd-minute spot kick, settling for a 1-1 home share with Sandnes Ulf. The Michigan native logged six saves and came off his line to snuff out a late breakaway.
Next door in Sweden, Alejandro Bedoya worked 84 minutes in Helsingborg's 2-2 draw at Gefle. Despite staying unbeaten in nine Alssvenskan games, the outgoing champs fell a rung to sixth.
