[AMERICANS ABROAD] The 2008 Norwegian season kicked off last weekend with a record 13 Americans on the rosters of pro clubs in the top two divisions. In the Eliteserien (First Division), keepers Troy Perkins (Valerenga) and Adin Brown (Aalesund) squared off, and Perkins emerged victorious with a 1-0 win in his Norwegian debut. The only other American to play in the First Division last weekend was recent Molde signing Willis Forko. The latest signing is 2006 Hermann Trophy winner Joe Lapira of Notre Dame. He signed Tuesday with Nybergsund of the Adeccoligaen (Second Division), which begins next weekend.

Ratings: Aftenposten ratings (10=high; 1=low)

Eliteserien 2008 (First Division)
March 29-31

Valerenga-Aalesund 1-0 (Att.: 14,260)
Americans:
Valerenga-
Troy Perkins: signed 2008 (from D.C. United)
Aalesund-
Adin Brown: signed 2005 (from New England Revolution) 6 rating
Pat Noonan: signed 2008 (from New England Revolution) DNP

Lillestroem-Tromso 1-1 (Att.: 10,204)
Americans:
None.

Molde-Stabaek 0-0 (Att.: 7,367)
Americans:
Molde
Brian Waltrip: signed 2008 (Sandefjord-Norway) DNP

Bodo/Glimt-HamKan 2-0 (Att.: 4,176)
Americans:
Bodo/Glimt
Willis Forko: signed 2008 (Real Salt Lake) 5 rating

Viking-Stromsgodset 1-0 (Att.: 15,540)
Americans:
None.

Brann-Fredrikstad 4-2 (Att.: 17,119)
Americans:
Fredrikstad
Brian West: signed 2004 (Columbus Crew) DNP

Rosenborg - Lyn 2-1 (Att.: 18,124)
Americans:
None.

2008 Adeccoligaen (Second Division)

Bryne
Matt Allen: signed 2008 (Creighton Univ.
Chris Rodd: signed 2008 (Univ. of San Francisco)

Haugesund
Chris Gbandi: signed 2008 (FC Dallas)
Cam Weaver: signed 2007 (Seattle Sounders)

Hodd
Kyle Veris: signed 2008 (Los Angeles Galaxy)

Nybergsund
Joe Lapira: signed 2008 (Notre Dame Univ.)

Start
Clarence Goodson: signed 2008 (from San Jose Earthquakes)