Americans Abroad

McBride is a hero again; his two goals lead Everton into win column with 2-1 comeback over Sunderland

American Brian McBride is celebrating again for Everton. The American striker has scored three goals in two games since joining the Blues on loan.-- Everton web site photo --

By Robert Wagman (in Washington, D.C.)
and Willie Calderon (in England)
SoccerTimes

(Monday, January 20, 2002) -- Striker Brian McBride is the latest hero in England's Premier League, scoring two goals to power Everton past Sunderland 2-1 Saturday for the club's first victory.

"He was smashing," Everton manager David Moyes said of McBride. "He linked up, he had some deft touches in the middle of the pitch, he was probably even better than I expected from him.

McBride now has found net three times in two starts since joining Everton from Major League Soccer's Columbus Crew on a three-month loan. He had several good chances in the first half, including a powerful header that Sunderland's Danish keeper Thomas Sorensen managed to snag.

Sunderland took a 1-0 into the second half before McBride and Canadian international Tomasz Radzinski combined to create some magic.

In the 51st minute, Radzinski fed Scot Gemmill who carried to the right end line and crossed to the far post. McBride elevated and sent a scissors kick bouncing twice before clipping defender Paul Thirlwell in front of the goal and bouncing into the net for a 1-1 tie.

Moments later, McBride nodded down a cross to Radzinski whose shot went inches wide.

In the 57th minute, McBride received a Radzinski pass on the edge of the box, stopped quickly, controlling the ball while letting two defender run past him, stumbled a bit, but unleashed a strong shot into the lower corner of the net for a 2-1 lead.

McBride, playing despite a hamstring problem, ran out of gas and was replaced in the 74th minute, departing to a standing ovation from the Everton crowd.

"His performance was excellent. He gives you great honesty and commitment," Moyes said. "It is players like that who contribute to the team overall and win you matches. Brian has come straight into the Premiership, scored last week in his first game for us and got another two here, and the way he played he could have had a hat trick. He works so hard, he won headers for us in both boxes and that's important to any team."

Blackburn Rovers' goalkeeper Brad Friedel made an amazing save on Birmingham City striker and fellow United States national-team striker Jovan Kirovski. However, Friedel's chance for triumph when he gave up a goal in the 83rd minute to former Columbus Crew teammate Stern John in a what ended as a 1-1 draw.

Again, Kirovski started the match on the bench with French newcomer Christophe Dugarry in the starting role. With 25 minutes left and Rovers ahead 1-0 on Damien Duff's goal in the ninth minute, but reduced to 10 men following Andrew Todd's red card nine minutes later, Birmingham manager Steve Bruce replaced a defender and put Kirovski into the attack.

The move paid immediate dividends as Birmingham pressed forward. Friedel made a great save on a header from Dugarry and then made one of his best stops of the season on Kirovski. Dugarry started the play in the box, dropping the ball to Kirovski at the penalty spot. Kirovski left a defender flat-footed with a brilliant turn and his shot looked like a sure thing until Friedel flung himself full-length and tipped the ball around the post.

John, who came on in the 75th minute, freed himself in the area and went high to drill a Stan Lazaridis cross down past Friedel.

U.S. goalkeeper Kasey Keller made a goal by Teddy Sheringham in the 69th minute stand up for Tottenham Hotspur which recorded a rare road win 1-0 over Aston Villa. It was Spurs first victory at Villa Park in 17 seasons, giving Spurs manager Glen Hoddle signs that Tottenham (11-8-5), tied for sixth place with 38 points, is headed for the UEFA Cup next season.

The match was a tight, back-and-forth affair until Sheringham's tally. Villa, helped by three substitutes, including defender Ulises de la Cruz, pushed forward and managed several good attempts, but Keller was up to the task, especially in turning away a drive from de la Cruz.

In England's First Division, Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann did his job with another clean sheet, but was let down by an almost non-existent offense in a 0-0 draw with Walsall.

Reading shot high or just wide for most of the afternoon. Walsall's best chance came at the 37th minute when Brazilian midfielder Junior sent a bullet at the Reading goal that Hahnemann did well to hold.

Preston North End with U.S. midfielder Eddie Lewis on left wing and 10 other players on the injury rolls was completely ineffective against Ipswich and went down 3-0.

Most of the offense that Preston was able to generate came off corners from Lewis. Ipswich goalkeeper Andy Marshall produced good saves on headers from Lee Cartwright and Colin Murdock off Lewis corners. He came off in the 76th minute as Preston tried to push the ball through the center of the field, without much result.

In the Second Division, American midfielder John Thorrington was again on the bench as Huddersfield Town fell to Crewe 1-0.

San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper Joe Cannon's tryout with Feyenoord in the Netherlands ended without a contract offer, so he is now in France where he is working out for Lens.

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