The story of US National Team players abroad begins and ends with Clint Dempsey this weekend. That's what happens when an American scores three goals in the Premier League. Dempsey was the difference in a game that showed little promise in the first-half, but turned into a 5-2 win for Fulham over Newcastle United. Dempsey took advantage of a clever move from Andy Johnson to launch a breakaway that found Bobby Zamora running into the Newcastle box. Zamora's shot was parried into Dempsey, who pushed the ball into the back of the net in the 59th minute to make it 2-1 Fulham. Dempsey's next two goals looked oddly similar, striking from distance in the 65th and 89th minutes.
"It was a good game to be part of, and obviously Clint did very well today," Dempsey's teammate Chris Baird told the club's official site. "That’s his second hat-trick in three games and I think everyone was really pleased for him. But it’s a positive win for us all and one that we can certainly build on."
Maurice Edu also got on the score sheet, equalizing for Rangers in a 1-1 draw with Aberdeen at Ibrox. Edu's goal came in the 67th minute, four minutes after Aberdeen scored their opener. Carlos Bocanegra also got the start, seeing a yellow card in stoppage time.
"We've got a squad of players I believe can win the championship," Rangers manager Ally McCoist said. "Today I'm frustrated as I certainly feel as though we could have won the game given the chances we created."
In Italy, Michael Bradley continued his successive minutes streak with Chievo, this time in a 22- draw with Lecce. Alberto Paloschi had both of Chievo's goals, opening the scoring in the 2nd minute. Bradley picked up a yellow card in the 47th. Jozy Altidore subbed on in the 73rd minute for AZ, drawing 1-1 at home against Ajax. AZ went up when Rasmus Elm scored in the 37th, but gave up a 75th minute own goal to split the points. Belgium, and Sacha Kljestan got the start for Anderlecht in a 1-0 win over KV Kortrijk at the Guldensporenstadion.
Premier League, and Landon Donovan assisted on Tim Cahill's 24th minute opener in Everton's 1-1 draw with Blackburn. Tim Howard was in goal for Everton. A big result for Zak Whitbread and Norwich City, who played out a scoreless draw against Chelsea. Brad Friedel was in goal for Spurs, who launched a comeback against Manchester City and were unlucky to come away with a 3-2 loss. A league down, Jonathan Spector went the distance in Birmingham City's 3-0 shutout of Watford. Frank Simek got the start for Carlisle in League One, drawing 1-1 with Walsall.
The Bundesliga returned from winter break with a battle of the Americans that turned into a scoreless draw between Hoffenheim and Hannover 96. Danny Williams started and Fabian Johnson came on in the 66th minute for Hoffenheim, with Steve Cherundolo getting the start for Hannover.
Clausura, and Michael Orozco got the start for San Luis in a 2-0 loss to Morelia on Friday. Jose Francisco Torres and Pachuca drew 1-1 with Cruz Azul. Pachuca took the lead in the 19th minute, but Cruz Azul was level ten minutes later. Herculez Gomez subbed on in the 73rd minute for Santos Laguna, beating Jaguares 1-0. Aaron Galindo scored the game's only goal in the 86th minute with Osvaldo Sanchez recording the shutout. Edgar Castillo got the star for Tijuana in a surprise 2-0 win over Chivas. Castillo played 54 minutes. Jose Sand scored both goals. On Sunday, DaMarcus Beasley and Puebla lost 2-1 to Atlante.
Did Not Play: Alejandro Bedoya (Rangers 1 - Aberdeen 1), Dominic Cervi (Celtic 2 - St Mirren 0), Marcus Hahnemann (Everton 1 - Blackburn 1), Brad Guzan and Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa 3 - Wolves 2), Robbie Findley (Nottingham Forest 1 - West Ham 2), Timmy Chandler (Nurnberg 2 - Hertha Berlin 0), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 3 - Stuttgart 1), Jonathan Bornstein (Tigres 1 - Toluca 2)
Injured: Stuart Holden (Bolton 3 - Liverpool 1)
