Americans Abroad

Reyna leaves Sunderland match against Hotspur with assist, hamstring strain.

(Saturday, March 2, 2002) -- United States soccer fans must hold their breath again. With the World Cup three months away, U.S. star midfielder and captain Claudio Reyna appeared to re-injure his hamstring this afternoon, leaving Sunderland’s 2-1 English Premier league loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the second half, limping and holding his right thigh.

With the match tied 1-1 and both sides playing lively attacking soccer, Reyna, who had assisted Sunderland’s tally, pulled up in the 55th minute, signaling for an immediate substitution. The initial indication from Sunderland officials was Reyna suffered only a minor strain, but the injury will be fully evaluated by the team’s medical staff on Monday.

Deep into first-half stoppage time, Reyna put loaned striker Patrick Mboma through for a well-taken goal and a 1-1 tie. Otherwise, Sunderland could not solve Hotspur goalkeeper Neil Sullivan with Les Ferdinand netting the winner for Spurs in the 63rd minute.

Rather than assuming his usual seat on the Spurs’ bench, keeper Kasey Keller was in Seattle posting a shutout in the U.S. 4-0 romp over Honduras.

Keller’s rival for the U.S. starting spot in goal in the World Cup, Brad Friedel, was sensational again, the main reason why Blackburn Rovers who, despite playing a man short for 71 minutes, tied Bolton Wanderers 1-1. Still, Rovers lost an opportunity to improve thier situation as residents of the EPL relegation zone.

By gaining one point, Rovers (6-13-8, 26 points) are alone in 18th place, the top of three relegation positions in the 20-club league, but failed to gain ground on Bolton (6-10-12, 30) which climbed into a tied for 15th place with Ipswich (8-13-6). Everton (7-12-8, 29) is in 17th place.

After Rovers’ star striker Andy Cole was sent off for a flagrant foul in the 19th minute, Bolton stepped up the attack, but Friedel held Wanderers at bay until Rod Wallace intercepted the third bad Rovers backpass of the first half and scored in stoppage time for a 1-0 lead.

Bolton came out shooting again after intermission but could not solve Friedel. Another errant clearance allowed Jamaican international Ricardo Gardner to walk in alone, but Friedel stopped him. Two minutes later, he produced a pair of breathtaking saves to first deny Kevin Nolan's powerful shot from 10 yards, then Wallace' drive on the rebound with a dive.

Matt Jansen’s goal in the 68th minute gave Blackburn the draw despite Wanderers’ continued dominance.

In England’s First Division, Crystal Palace could not blame its Americans for a humiliating 5-2 rout at the hands of 18th-place Grimsby. Defender Gregg Berhalter was with the U.S. men in Seattle and striker Jovan Kirovski, who has not played lately because of a thigh strain, was on the bench, but did not play.

In the Second Division action, midfielder John Thorrington played a solid 90 minutes for Huddersfield Town in a 0-0 draw with Wigan. It was Thorrington’s second match back after missing more than two months with leg injuries.

In France, U.S. defender David Regis went the distance for Metz which conceded two late goals in a 2-2 draw with Lens.

Regis, whose knee had swelled after a training knock last week, had an MRI on Monday which was negative and he responded well to treatment.

Bastia and American defender Greg Vanney did not play over the weekend, but are preparing for a big midweek match against Paris St. Germain.

In the Netherlands, U.S. attacker Earnie Stewart stayed with his wife who was about to go into labor, and did not play in NAC Breda’s 3-1 win over AZ.

In the German Bundesliga, American Tony Sanneh did not have one of his better matches for FC Nürnberg which fell to Hamburg 3-1. Sanneh played the full 90 minutes in the midfield and pushed forward with little effect or support.

In Chile, a strong match in net by American Jonny Walker could not prevent Universidad Católica from losing to Olimpia of Paraguay in group play of the Copa Libertadores tournament. It was Católica’s first home loss since May 2001.

Walker made several good saves in the first half and Católica controlled most of the play in the second half, but could not finish. Olimpia (2-0) leads Group 8 with Católica (1-1) second.

Senior correspondent Robert Wagman compiled this column and can be e-mailed at bobwagman@soccertimes.com.