Americans Abroad

Convey, Hahnemann lead Reading in pair of victories.

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

(Tuesday, September 20, 2005) -- It was a day of near misses for United States midfielder Bobby Convey, but he was still Reading's best player in a 1-0 decision over Crewe Saturday, its second home victory of the week in the second-tier English League Championship.

Convey's U.S. teammate, Marcus Hahnemann was again solid in goal for Reading, recording his fifth clean sheet of the young season. The strong defensive showing was in sharp contrast to Reading's 3-2 triumph over Crystal Palace last Tuesday when it was the attack that prevailed.

With its two Americans contributing heavily, Reading (6-1-2, 20 points) has not lost since opening day and is in second place, four points behind Sheffield United (8-1).

Against Crewe, the back line held solid until Ivar Ingimarrson could finally score in the 86th minute for the 1-0 victory. Convey stood out all day, setting up several golden chances that teammates could not finish and coming close himself on two occasions. He left the match in the 80th minute to a standing ovation.

Hahnemann again was strong in goal, despite taking a strong knock near the end of the first half. He kept Reading even when he came up big on a shot from Michael Higdon in the second half.

Convey went 88 minutes against Crystal Palace and was solid, if not particularly productive. Hahnemann, who has conceded seven goals on the season, made six saves, but was beaten on strong shots by Andrew Johnson and Clint Morrison.

Leeds United, with U.S. midfielder Eddie Lewis playing well on the left side, won its second road match of the season Saturday, besting Queens Park Rangers 1-0.

Rob Hulse's first-half goal was enough despite Leeds being reduced to 10 men when striker David Healy was sent off in the 65th minute. Just after intermission, Lewis sent a well-placed corner kick that Gylfi Einarsson met with a powerful header that was blocked on the goal line by Marc Bircham. After Healy went off, Lewis' role turned more defensive as Leeds protected its lead.

Last Tuesday, Leeds lost 1-0 to Sheffield Wednesday which picked up its first win of the season. Twice, Lewis' crosses should have resulted in goals, but Richard Cresswell and Rob Hulse could not convert.

American defender Frankie Simek turned in a strong effort for Wednesday to help make a ninth-minute goal by Chris Eagles stand up.

Wednesday was back to its losing ways Saturday, falling 2-1 to Millwall. Simek went the distance and had a good match, blocking a shot by David Livermore in the first half, saving a goal.

Leeds is 4-2-2 with 14 points, tied on points with Southampton (3-1-5), but holding a match in hand. Wednesday is at the bottom of the 24-team table at 1-4-3, tied with Burnley (1-5-3) with six points, but holding a game in hand.

American central midfielder Jay DeMerit remains unable to break into Watford's starting side and did not help matters by injuring his shoulder after going 60 minutes in a midweek reserve match.

On Tuesday, DeMerit was on the bench when Watford posted a 2-1 decision at home over disappointing Norwich (2-4-3, 9).

Clarke Carlisle, a summer signing, stand-in captain and DeMerit's partner earlier in the season, took a knock in the closing minutes, putting in question his ability to play Saturday against league-leading Sheffield United. Carlisle, however, was able to play and, as a result, DeMerit did not dress in Watford's 3-2 loss.

Watford, which was reduced to 10 men when Malky Mackay was sent off in the 67th minute, lost the match on Carlisle's own goal in the 81st minute. With Mackay suspended, it might open the door for DeMerit for today's home match with Wolverhampton.

The loss was Watford's first since opening day. The Hornets are tied with Luton for third place with both clubs at 5-2-2 with 17 points.

Unmarked Lukas Podolski put Cologne ahead 1-0 in the 12th minute when he guided a Christian Lell centering pass under Keller. Bjorn Schlicke made it 2-0 at the half-hour mark, heading home Youssef Mokhtari's floated free kick into the top corner of the net.

Monchengladbach, 1-2-2 with five points and in a three-way tie for 12th place, dominated the second half, but could do no better than narrowing its deficit to 2-1 on Oliver Neuville's penalty kick in the 81st minute.

Hannover 96 and U.S. defender Steve Cherundolo traveled to league-leading Bayern Munich (5-0) and put up a good fight before losing 1-0.

Martin Demichelis nodded a loose ball home in the ninth minute. Otherwise, Cherundolo and his defense played well, but the attack could not solve Bayern keeper Oliver Kahn.

Hannover (1-1-3, 6) is tied with two other teams for ninth place

Yuri Cornelisse's goal in the 45th minute was Groningen's only shot on frame.

Things are starting to return to normal for American John O'Brien. The defender-midfielder went 90 minutes for ADO Den Haag in a dull 0-0 draw with visiting Twente Enschede.

Onyewu assisted on a goal by Sergio Conceiçao in the 15th minute and he started the sequences that resulted in the other Standard tallies. In the 54th minute, he was issued a yellow card for a tackle on Harold Meyssen.

Seb Orton contributed to this story from Watford, England.

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