AMSTERDAM — Several US internationals warmed up for Italy with Sunday club action in Europe, headlined by a two-goal Jozy Altidore showing in AZ Alkmaar's see-saw 3-3 draw with Eredivisie guests Heerenveen.
Back in the lineup for the first time in 2012, the striker earned Man of the Match honors for providing constant danger and two strikes that each gave his side a lead.
Altidore opened the scoring after 25 minutes, accepting a pass above the area with his back to the goal before spinning to slot low. Shortly after Filip Duricic leveled for Heerenveen in the 55th minute, the No. 17 shirt calmly picked his spot through a Friesian crowd after collecting a cutback near the spot.
The American twice went close to claiming a hat trick to extend the AZ lead, but a pair of home gaffes at the back allowed the visitors to take a late 3-2 edge. Erik Falkenburg's close-range finish seven minutes from time ensured the Cheese Farmers a share.
The brace by Altidore took his Eredivisie total up to nine, good for joint team-best with Rasmus Elm and an 11th-place tie in the league chart. Still in second, AZ fell two points behind Sunday victors PSV Eindhoven.
Across the water in England, Tottenham netminder Brad Friedel had a rather jarring derby visit to Arsenal, who rallied from two down near halftime for a 5-2 triumph.
The former US star notched three saves while everything fell apart around him, with a pair of dazzlers on Tomás Rosicky and Yossi Benayoun keeping the visitors in it for a time. Spurs' first defeat in more than a month slipped them to 10 points off the title pace in third.
Meanwhile, Norwich City defender Zak Whitbread notched his first EPL assist on the late equalizer, but defending champs Manchester United hit back in stoppage time to steal away from Carrow Road with a 2-1 victory.
In the 84th minute, Whitbread's flick into the area found Grant Holt, who wheeled to fire the Canaries level. Ryan Giggs then spoiled the comeback to deal Norwich their first home loss since December.
Across the border in Scotland, Carlos Bocanegra and Maurice Edu contributed professional outings as Rangers won their first game since being placed under administration with a 4-1 cruise through Inverness CT. With Alejandro Bedoya back to the sub's bench, the visitors moved six points clear of Motherwell for the SPL's second Champions League invite.
In Bundesliga play, Steve Cherundolo's solid effort went for naught as Hannover 96 dropped a 3-1 decision away to repeat-hunters Borussia Dortmund. Despite suffering their first league loss in 10, the Reds held firm in seventh place.
Belgian action saw Sacha Kljestan and leaders Anderlecht settle for a frustrating 0-0 draw at Lierse. The Mauves fluffed their Jupiler League cushion to eight points, however, as second-place Club Brugge went down in defeat on Sunday.
Next door in France's Ligue 1, Charlie Davies worked 12 active minutes off the bench as bottom feeders Sochaux fell 2-0 at Toulouse. Les Lionceaux have now lost nine out of a 12-match win drought in league play.
