Americans Abroad

Friedel records easy shutout in important Blackburn victory.

(Sunday, April 18, 2004) -- United States goalkeeper Brad Friedel might never have had an easier or more needed shutout than he posted yesterday when Blackburn Rovers prevailed over Leicester City 1-0 in England's Premier League.

Leicester defender Nikos Dabizas was responsible for an own goal which gave Rovers the victory.

Friedel had four saves on the afternoon, none overly difficult, in a steady performance. Rovers (10-17-7, 37 points), winning for only the fourth time at home this season, moved five points above the relegation zone.

Trailing Rovers by three points is Manchester City, now in deep danger of demotion after losing 3-1 at home to Southampton yesterday. U.S. midfielder Claudio Reyna, still feeling the effects of a slight groin pull that sidelined him last weekend, came of the bench in the 61st minute with City trailing 2-0.

Nicolas Anelka brought Manchester to within 2-1 with a blast in the 78th minute, but Southampton regained its two-goal margin three minutes later on Kevin Phillips' second tally

The home fans let booed City (7-14-13, 34) off the field as the club slid the team into 17th place, two points above the drop zone.

Tottenham Hotspur lost again, 2-0 to Bolton Wanderers. American keeper Kasey Keller gave up goals to Ivan Campo and Henrik Pedersen and, while he was not at fault on the latter, he might have done better on Campo's 25-yard blast.

Keller redeemed himself later with a fine save on Kevin Nolan's chip, a blast from Jay-Jay Okocha, and later attempts by Campo and Nolan. Spurs (11-18-5, 38) have taken only one point from their last five outings and are only a point above Blackburn, a great disappointment for a team that once had European dreams this season.

Thanks to a missed penalty kick, Fulham held Liverpool to a scoreless draw. U.S. defender Carlos Bocanegra started and played a strong 77 minutes at right back for Fulham before coming out for an attacker. American striker Brian McBride was used as a substitute for a seventh straight match, coming on in the 74th for a tiring Collins John, who had scored twice in each of Fulham's last two games.

Liverpool launched a major bid after McBride entered and he was forced to play defense over the final minutes.

Manchester United suffered another indignity Saturday with a 1-0 loss to Portsmouth (10-16-7, 37) which is tied for Blackburn for 15th place. Roy Carroll started in goal again with American Tim Howard on the bench.

United (21-7-5, 68) launched a furious final rally that fell short, leaving it in third place, 13 points behind league-leading Arsenal (24-0-9) with five games left.

In France, U.S. defender Greg Vanney and Bastia were not scheduled to play with the first division on an abbreviated schedule.

American midfielder Brian West came on in the 63rd minute for Fredrikstad which lost 2-0 to Rosenborg.

In Denmark, U.S. defender Wade Barrett went the distance for AGF Aarhus which, winless since the winter break, dropped a 2-1 decision to FC Nordsjælland.

Robert Wagman is a SoccerTimes senior correspondent. E-mail Robert Wagman.