U.S. ABROAD (March 18-19): O'Brien's Ajax moves into quarterfinals of Champions League

• by Soccer America , Mar 19, 2003

NETHERLANDS (Champions League)

* John O'Brien (Ajax, D1), at Roma (Italy), 1-1

Started: 90 minutes. Ajax, winner of four European Cup titles, finishes second to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1997. If O'Brien plays, he will become the first American to play in the quarterfinal stage of Europe's top club competition.

ENGLAND (Division I

* Marcus Hahnemann (Reading), at Ipswich, 1-3.

Started: 90 minutes. The Royals dropped to fourth, one point behind Sheffield United. The top two teams in the First Division go up automatically. The next four teams play off to determine third team to move into the Premier League.

* Eddie Lewis (Preston North End, D1), vs. Walsall, 5-0.

Started: 74 minutes. Preston moves into the top half of the standings at 11th place.