AMSTERDAM – Anderlecht midfielder Sacha Kljestan made a quick return to the lineup on Friday, going the distance in a 4-0 rout at Cercle Brugge.
Less than a week after requiring a good bit of stitching after an elbow to the ear, the US international held down his usual post as the champs' traffic director. Fellow MLS graduate Andy Najar came on in the 79th minute to make his Jupiler League debut.
The Mauves registered their first win of the season on the second try to tentatively rise into the penthouse.
Over in Germany's DfB-Pokal, Bobby Wood notched an assist on the opener, but departed well before 1860 Munich followed a 1-1 draw at FC Heidenheim with a spot-kicks victory.
The American attacker worked 64 minutes, having set up Moritz Stoppelkamp on the break for the game's first goal five minutes past halftime. The Lions would eventually scrape through on a 4-3 shootout decision.
Meanwhile, Michael Parkhurst remained a spectator as Augsburg advanced with a 2-0 win away to 3.Liga mites Red Bull Leipzig.
Finally, in the Dutch second flight, Charles Kazlauskas did double duty as Helmond Sport opened their season with a 2-2 draw at Excelsior Rotterdam. The Milwaukee native started in midfield, but switched to right back after a defensive gaffe allowed the home side to knot the match for good in the 62nd minute.
