AMSTERDAM — There were a trio of key contests for US internationals working in Europe on Sunday, highlighted by Michael Bradley's man-of-the-match showing in Chievo's 1-0 home win over Palermo.
The midfielder served as an able park ranger for 90 minutes, keeping the hosts in control most of the way. Bradley also flirted with his first Serie A goal, drawing an early fingertip save from the away netminder with a left blast from 22 yards.
With the win, the Flying Donkeys soared four places to ninth and posted their fourth consecutive league shutout at the Bentegodi.
Elsewhere, Oguchi Onyewu and Sporting CP slipped to fourth in Portugal's top flight with a 2-1 defeat at Braga. On a tough day at the office, the center back missed a chance to cut out the cross for the home side's second goal.
In losing, the Lions allowed as many as two goals in a league game for the first time since Onyewu's mid-September debut.
Turning focus to Belgium, Sacha Kljestan and Anderlecht moved four points clear at the top by playing rude derby hosts to Club Brugge in a 3-0 stroll. The former Chivas USA man worked his usual full shift in midfield, picking up a yellow card near intermission.
The Mauves took advantage of a Saturday slip by holders Gent, winning for the eighth time in a 10-game unbeaten run Constant Vanden Stock.
