Americans Abroad

Lewis nets decisive tally for Leeds in 2-1 decision over Luton.

Eddie Lewis hasplayed in all 35 games for Leeds United this season, scoring four goals -- Leeds United web site photo --

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

(Tuesday, February 28, 2006) -- United States midfielder Eddie Lewis knocked home the decisive goal for Leeds United which outlasted visiting Luton Town 2-1 Saturday in the second-division English League Championship before 23,644 at Elland Road.

In the 53rd minute, Leeds defender Gary Kelly sent a long ball down the right flank that was collected by striker Rob Hulse. He passed a low ball across the face of goal to Lewis, who had hustled past a defender and redirected it into the net from point-blank range for his fourth goal of the season and a 2-0 lead.

In the 25th minute, midfielder Jonathan Douglas took a pass from striker David Healy and touched it on to Lewis who was moving into the box. The U.S. international struck his shot well, but goalkeeper Marlon Beresford managed to get a hand on the low shot and direct it over the end-line.

Douglas put Leeds ahead 1-0 in the 49th minute.

In the 83rd minute, striker Steve Howard pulled Luton back to within 2-1.

Reading responded from seeing its record 33-match unbeaten streak (25-0-8) snapped in impressive form with a 2-1 decision over Preston North End, which saw its undefeated run of 22 matches (10-0-12) end before 23,011 at Madejski Stadium.

U.S. midfielder Bobby Convey's corner kick into the middle of the penalty area set up the tally that put Reading ahead 1-0 in the sixth minute. Preston failed to properly clear the ball and forward Steve Sidwell poked it home.

Two minutes later, Preston defender Callum Davidson beat Reading's American keeper Marcus Hahnemann with a free kick to tie matters at 1-1.

England under-21 men's striker Leroy Lita put Reading ahead for good 2-1 in first-half stoppage time.

Hahnemann needed help from his defense, which cleared Davidson's header off the line near the end of regulation to preserve the triumph.

American defender Jay DeMerit went the distance Watford which survived a scare from visiting Cardiff with a 2-1 win before 17,419 at Vicarage Road Stadium.

All the scoring came late with Watford forward Marlon King nailing down the victory by scoring in the 88th minute.

Defender Malky Mackay put Watford ahead 1-0 in the 69th minute. Cardiff knotted the score at 1-1 eight minutes later with a goal by midfielder Jeff Whitley.

Reading (26-2-8, 86 points) moved 12 points ahead of second-place Sheffield United (22-6-8, 74), which all but self-destructed Saturday in a 3-2 loss to Queens Park Rangers. United missed a penalty kick and gave up an own goal.

United's misfortune was good news for Watford and Leeds in their hopes for promotion. Watford (19-7-10, 67) pulled to within seven points of Sheffield in third place. Leeds, which has a game in hand on the three teams above it, is fourth at 19-7-9 with 66 points.

The top two teams in the League Championship are promoted to the Premier League. The third- through sixth-place finishers enter a playoff for a third promotion berth.

American defender Frank Simek went 90 minutes for sinking Sheffield Wednesday which lost its third straight and remained winless in its last four after falling 3-0 at Southampton.

Wednesday (8-18-10, 34) remained in 21st place, one spot and five points above the relegation zone.

Young American midfielder Danny Karbassiyoon came on for struggling Burnley in the 38th minute of a 1-0 loss to Coventry on Saturday.

Karbassiyoon had a couple of chances, but couldn't find the target, as was a problem for his teammates. After a third straight one-goal setback, Burnley is 12-16-7, its 43 points good for a three-way tie for 14th place with Plymouth (10-12-13) and Stoke (13-17-4), which holds a game in hand.

Robert Wagman is SoccerTimes senior correspondent. E-mail Robert Wagman. Gary Davidson is SoccerTimes managing editor. E-mail Gary Davidson.

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