2. AMERICANS ABROAD: Reyna shines, says he'll stay; McBride scores against Arsenal

• by Soccer America , Nov 30, 2006

A day after assuring Manchester City fans that he wasn't planning on leaving for MLS in January, former U.S. captain Claudio Reyna helped Man City win its first road game of the season, 3-1 over Aston Villa.

Reyna, coming off two performances that Man City coach Stuart Pearce called outstanding, was among the Blues' highest rated players (8 out of 10) by the Manchester Evening News.

After the last weekend's Liverpool game, Reyna denied rumors that he would leave Man City in January for MLS and in an interview on Man City's official Web site said:

"Those rumors start about any American player once they hit my age, but I'm not sure where they are coming from. It's just natural, there are clubs back home that are interested but at the moment there is nothing to it. I'm enjoying my time here."

Brian McBride's fourth goal of the season came on a 6th-minute header off a corner kick to spark Fulham's 2-1 win over Arsenal on Wednesday. Fulham moved into 10th place with the win, which Carlos Bocanegra missed with an injury.

Watford, with Jay DeMerit playing his 13th game of the season in defense, fell to fellow Premier League newcomer, Sheffield United, 1-0. Watford is second to last with nine points from 14 games and four points behind 18th place Sheffield United.

American Tim Howard was not allowed to suit up for Everton against Manchester United, the club which is loaning him out. Manchester United won, 3-0, to keep its three point lead over Chelsea, a 1-0 winner over Bolton.