AMSTERDAM – Less than three months are left until the World Cup, and the goalless spell shows no sign of abating for Jozy Altidore. The US national team striker's Premier League goal drought reached 15 games on Wednesday as Sunderland feel short at Liverpool by a 2-1 count.
Limited to 31 non-defensive touches, Altidore was reasonably effective in the hold-up game, setting up two shots for teammates while neglecting to fire any of his own. With their fourth loss in five winless league games, the Black Cats missed a fourth straight opportunity to rise out of the bottom three quicksand.
Over in Germany, Fabian Johnson and warming Hoffenheim won consecutive Bundesliga games for the second time in a month on Wednesday, roaring back from an early deficit to top guests Hannover 3-1.
The US winger put in a solid full shift, with three tackles and zero turnovers in 55 total touches. The result moved 10th-place Hoffenheim to within seven points of the last Europa league slot with seven rounds to go.
Over in Austria, Terrence Boyd went unused as Rapid Vienna claimed second place with a 3-1 victory at Wiener Neustadt. Former D.C. United Designated Player Branko Boskovic hopped off the bench to hit the deciding double gave the visitors their third straight win.
