Michael Bradley sets scoring record; Rossi strikes against Real Madrid
- by Soccer America , Jan 28, 2008
[AMERICANS ABROAD/VIDEO ]. Michael Bradley scored in his fourth straight game for Dutch club Heerenveen, striking twice in a
3-0 win over De Graafschap. The double strike gives the 20-year-old Bradley 11 league goals this season, breaking the record for goals in a season by an American-born and -bred player in a
European first division, which had been set by Eric Wynalda at German club Saarbruecken in 1992-93 and Brian McBride at Fulham last season.
Giuseppe Rossi, who was born in New Jersey but left for Europe at age 13 and represents Italy in international play, scored his ninth La Liga goal of the season for Villarreal in
a 3-2 loss to Real Madrid on Sunday. Rossi, who turns 21 Feb. 1, scored nine goals for Italian Serie A team Parma last season.
In addition to his 11 Dutch Eredivisie goals, Bradley
has scored twice in the UEFA Cup and twice in the Dutch Cup to give him 15 goals in 25 games this season.
The midfielder's 15 goals in all competitions are also a record for an
American-bred and -born player in a European first division. DaMarcus Beasley scored 12 at PSV in 2004-05 and McBride struck 12 times at Fulham last year.
Heerenveen is
in third place, six points behind leader PSV Eindhoven and one point behind second-place Ajax Amsterdam.
Against De Graafschap, Bradley finished off a low cross in the 21st minute and
headed home from a defender's clearance from eight yards in the 81st minute.
