Yanks in Europe: Dempsey Hat Trick, Edu Equalizer, & More

What a weekend for Yanks (and other MLSers) in Europe. Here are some of the highlights:

Clint Dempsey played 90+ minutes for Fulham in a 5-2 win over Newcastle. Deuce scored a second half hat trick, the first ever by an American in the EPL, giving him a career-high 15 goals across all competitions. His previous career high was 13, set last year. Considering it's only January, it's looking very possible that Dempsey could end the season with over 20 goals for Fulham. Needless to say, his recent run of form has been absolutely incredible.

Check out the goals:

<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/video?vid=b3d31c83-2e5b-4e25-bd59-6e55aefe496b" target="_new" title="">Clint Dempsey is sensational</a>

Elsewhere, Landon Donovan helped set up Everton's lone goal in 1-1 draw against Blackburn:



Donovan played all 90 minutes for the fifth time in 18 days. David Moyes is certainly making sure he gets his money's worth.

Zak Whitbread turned in a strong 90 minutes for Norwich in their 0-0 draw with Chelsea. So long as he stays healthy and in decent form, he is certainly a feasible candidate to get called up for the February friendly against Italy.

In the second tier, Jonathan Spector played the full 90 in Birmingham's 3-0 win, while Robbie Findley and George John did not feature in the West Ham's 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest.

In Scotland, meanwhile, Maurice Edu scored the tying goal in Rangers' 1-1 draw with Aberdeen (a result that pushes them further behind SPL leaders Celtic). He got a little help, with his shot deflecting off a defender before finding the back of the net. But to his credit, you can't score if you don't shoot.



In Germany, Steve Cherundolo and Danny Williams went the distance for their respective clubs as Hannover took on Hoffenheim. Williams played at center back, with both Americans helping preserve clean sheets in a 0-0 draw. Fabian Johnson came on for the final 24 minutes, while US U-20 Joseph Gyau was an unused sub after making the match day squad for the first time with Hoffenheim.

Jermaine Jones and Timmy Chandler were not in action with their respective clubs.

Sacha Kljestan played 90 minutes for Anderlecht in a 1-0 road win, while Jozy Altidore came off the bench for the second straight match, playing the final 17 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Ajax.

Last, Michael Bradley played 90 minutes and picked up a yellow card in Chievo's 2-2 draw at Lecce. Bradley has now played all 90 minutes in 17 straight Serie A matches since making his Chievo debut. He has yet to be subbed off with the Flying Donkeys.

Not a bad weekend at the office for Americans across the pond.