AMSTERDAM – Several Americans crossed the lines overseas on Sunday, with Alejandro Bedoya working 66 solid minutes off the bench as Nantes rose to sixth place in France's Ligue 1 with a 3-1 derby triumph at Rennes.
The US midfielder shined in completing nearly all of his build-up passes after coming on as an injury replacement to play the wing. But Bedoya did suffer from an indelicate touch when his two big scoring chances arrived on either side of the break. The Canaries have won three of four to tentatively stand within five points of the top through eight rounds.
Next door in Belgium's Jupiler League, Sacha Kljestan set up the winner as Anderlecht topped visiting Lierse 2-0.
The former Chivas USA playmaker teed up Mauves skipper Guillaume Gillet for the 64th minute opener. The champs won their fourth straight league contest at home to sit nine points off the leaders in fourth.
The news wasn't bright out of England's Premier League, where Jozy Altidore and cellar dwellers Sunderland again came up empty despite an improved effort in a 3-1 loss to visiting Liverpool.
The power forward was active in the hold-up game, but generally lacked accurate service and fired directly at the 'keeper from distance in his best look at goal. With four consecutive defeats, Sunderland stayed bottom through six games.
Staying in England, Geoff Cameron worked a fair shift as Stoke City suffered an aggravating 1-0 home loss to early strugglers Norwich City. Now winless in three, the Potters slipped to 15th place.
Over in the Bundesliga, it was a hot-and-cold afternoon for Timothy Chandler as FC Nürnberg rallied twice for a 3-3 share at Werder Bremen.
The right back provided plenty of attacking thrust up his flank, but was also among the culpable on Bremen's opener. Though still winless through seven matches, Chandler & Co. posted their third straight draw to move out of the danger zone.
Greg Seltzer covers Americans based in Europe for MLSsoccer.com.
