Americans Abroad

Friedel makes four saves as Rovers blank Wigan 3-0.

By Robert Wagman (in Washington, D.C.)
SoccerTimes

(Saturday, December 31, 2005) -- United States goalkeeper Brad Friedel had a relatively easy afternoon, making four saves in Blackburn Rovers' 3-0 road victory over Wigan in the English Premier League at JJB Stadium.

Blackburn received goals from Morten Gamst Pedersen in the 15th minute, Steven Reid in the 53rd and Craig Bellamy in the 85th minute in one of Rovers' strongest efforts of the season.

Blackburn, which had its Wednesday home match with Sunderland postponed because of icy conditions when the Ewood Park under-field heating system failed, was clearly the fresher of the two teams. Friedel added to the attack early when, twice in the first 10 minutes, his long goal kicks were flicked into the Wigan box for narrow misses.

Just before halftime, Blackburn defender Ryan Nelsen, formerly of Major League Soccer's D.C. United, gave up a ball to Wigan's Lee McCulloch, but his shot was well-saved by Friedel. With the result secured late in the match, Friedel made a world-class stop on a point-blank drive from substitute David Connolly.

Fulham, which scored five goals in its last two outings only to manage a loss and draw, fell 1-0 to host Portsmouth at Fratton Park. U.S. striker Brian McBride, who was a dominant player in the last two games, scoring three goals, went the distance for Fulham. His best play, however, came on defense when he cleared a ball off his goal-line, one of his two clearances following corner kicks.

Fulham was on its heels for much of the afternoon, outshot 17-9. McBride's best chance came early when he made a dramatic run to the goal-mouth and connected with a corner kick, only to see veteran keeper Sander Westerveld parry the shot away in his first Portsmouth appearance. McBride came off the field for several minutes late in the first half to have a damaged shoulder attended to, but he returned to finish the match.

U.S. defender Carlos Bocanegra, who seems to have lost his starter's role with Fulham, again started on the bench, but came on in the 59th minute in place of defensive midfielder Ahmad Elrich. He moved to left back while Liam Rosenior shifted to midfield and received a yellow card in the 85th minute for unsportsmanlike behavior.

American defender Jonathan Spector was on the bench for Chalton Athletic which defeated West Ham United 2-0 for only its second win in the last nine Premier League matches.

U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard was on the bench, as usual, for Manchester United in an easy 4-1 decision over Bolton Wanderers.

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