Americans Abroad

Keller posts Worthington Cup shutout for Spurs despite strained calf; Reyna enjoys Sunderland success.

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

(Tuesday, October 1, 2002) -- United States goalkeeper Kasey Keller's strained calf did not keep him out of tonight's Worthington Cup match and he posted a 1-0 shutout for Tottenham Hotspur over Cardiff in the second round of the English tournament.

Perhaps it was fortunate that Keller was not busy in a match that Spurs should have won by several over the Second Division leader if it were not for the goal frame and some poor marksmanship by the attackers.

Keller sustained his injury early in an ugly 3-0 home loss to Middlesbrough in the Premier League on Saturday, a setback that would have been worse if it were not for a fine effort by Keller.

Keller might have received a hint of what was to come when key defender Christian Ziege's limped off after only 13 minutes. Keller made two good saves, but could do little with Italian striker Massimo Maccarone's point-blank finish in the 31st minute for a 1-0 lead.

Keller kept things tight until the 55th minute when Maccarone found Ndjitap Geremi unmarked and the Cameroon star beat a helpless Keller to make it 2-0. Three minutes later, as Spurs pushed forward leaving a huge gap at the back, a quick pass sprang Joseph Job who put his shot under an unprotected Keller for the afternoon's third and final tally.

United States midfielder Claudio Reyna also enjoyed the Worthington Cup, netting the first goal in the 21st minute of Sunderland's 7-0 romp over Cambridge United of the Second Divison.

Reyna was wearing the captain's arm band for Sunderland Saturday in a 1-0 triumph over Aston Villa, 1-0 in Premier League action. In the first half, much of the play went through Reyna in the central midfield. A number of his short passes put Sunderland players into scoring positions, but none could convert.

In the second half Sunderland played wide more often and that led to the only goal of the match, David Bellion's 69th-minute strike, Sunderland's first goal in more than 300 minutes.

Last night, U.S. keeper Brad Friedel experienced one of his easier matches for the visiting Blackburn Rovers who outclassed newly-promoted West Bromwich Albion 2-0. Friedel did not face a shot until the 52nd minute when he fielded a long-range effort from Andy Johnson.

That shot set West Brom off on a 10-minute run and Friedel did well to stop Jason Roberts in the 57th and 60th minutes. A penalty kick by Dwight Yorke in the 72nd minute and a later goal from Damien Duff was enough for Rovers who were dealt a loss Yorke re-injured his hamstring in the 84th minute, causing the team to play down a man.

Rover's face a big test Thursday when they travel to Bulgaria on Thursday for a UEFA Cup clash with Sofia.

American Jovan Kirovski made another appearance for Birmingham City in a 2-0 loss to Newcastle United. Kirovski entered in the 70th minute at left midfield and contributed several good touches initially.

With about 10 minutes remaining, he was moved into the middle, behind two forwards, and managed a couple of late shots, but none on goal. The playing time was a result of Kirovski's fine play with City's reserve side. He scored two terrific goals in the final 10 minutes to help defeat Everton 4-3.

U.S. striker\midfielder Joe-Max Moore, who has yet to recover from his World Cup leg injury, resumed training last week with Everton's reserve team, but is still a few week away from seeing any game action.

U.S. midfielder Eddie Lewiscame off the bench tonight in the 79th minute and contributed to the winning goal 11 minutes later for the First Division's Preston North End to a 2-1 victory over Macclesfield of the Third Division in the Worthington Cup.

In league play Saturday, Lewis played 90 minutes in a 2-1 home loss to Norwich.

Also in the First Division, American goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann had a solid evening for Reading which drew 1-1 with Stoke.

American midfielder John Thorrington also saw Worthington Cup action tonight, shedding his sweats in the 72nd minute, but his relief effort couldn't prevent the Huddersfield Town of the Second Division from going down 1-0 to the First Division's Burnley on a goal 14 minutes into overtime.

Thorrington did not dress for Town's 4-0 league loss to Oldham on Saturday.

Robert Wagman is a SoccerTimes senior correspondent and can be e-mailed at bobwagman@soccertimes.com.