Clint Dempsey scored a goal for Fulham while Kasey Keller made his first start less than 48 hours after signing with the London club as Fulham were beaten in the last minute at Villa Park by Aston Villa. Nonetheless, this has to be considered an impressive performance for Fulham. As usual, Carlos Bocanegra made countless mistakes, but at least this time he didn’t give up a free kick or penalty that led to a goal for the opposition.

Eddie Lewis had a nice game for Derby County as he set up Matt Oakley for Derby’s lone goal in the 2-1 loss to Birmingham City. Lewis pushed wide on the left side as he often does and made a great run with the ball at his feet and then crossed the ball gently into the box giving Oakley a relatively easy finish. It’s the type of play those of us who have been fans of Eddie Lewis for a long time have come to expect, even at his advanced age. (33) Benny Feilhaber did not even get named to the match squad which is a serious concern because he’s actually been with Derby longer than Lewis. But of course Lewis is a veteran who has played in the Premiership before (albeit 5 seasons ago) so perhaps he was more prepared to make an immediate impact.

Both Tim Howard and Brad Friedel made goalkeeping gaffes, but Friedel’s didn’t cost his team a goal. Howard’s did, although it could be argued his gaffe which was on the initial Blackburn shot which hit the woodwork had little effect on the defender not closing down the Blackburn attacker. Howard also muffed a David Bentley free kick late in the game but no harm was done thanks to that mistake.

Marcus Hannehman did all he could for Reading but was still beaten three times by Bolton in 3-0 loss. Bobby Convey came on late and contributed very little.

Jonathan Spector entered the match late in a 1-1 draw for West Ham versus Wigan Athletic. Spector who had started the Hammers previous two Premier League matches may have been fatigued from the midweek US-Sweden match.

DaMarcus Beasley continued his fast start with Rangers, scoring a goal in the 2-1 victory over Kilmarnock. It was Beasley’s third goal for Rangers in all competitions.

Michael Bradley played the full 90, but his Heerenveen side was crushed by Ajax 4-1.

Heath Pearce’s nightmare start in the Bundesliga continued as Hansa Rostock were defeated once again 1-0 by Frankfurt, and Pearce was shown a caution early before being replaced at halftime.

Neven Subotic went the full 90 for Mainz as they defeated Kasey Keller’s former club Borussia Mönchengladbach 4-1. Expect to Subotic get a call up for the US versus Catalonia and Switzerland this fall. At 18 he is one of the few players who seems to have taken his game to new heights abroad after spending a few years in residency at the Bradenton Academy run by US Soccer.

Josh Wolff and Greg Berhalter continued their fast start as 1860 Munich one again with Berhalter wearing the captain’s armband, 3-1 over Hoffenheim. Wolff helped to set up two of the three 1860 Munich goals. The “personal reasons” Wolff used as a pretense for withdrawing from the US team at midweek versus Sweden didn’t seem to stop him from playing for his club. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?

Steve Cherundolo and his mates were badly thrashed 3-0 by Bayern Munich with Cherondolo getting beat on Luca Toni’s initial goal for Bayern. Sal Zizzo was left off the match squad for Hannover 96.

Oguchi Onyewu went the full 90 minutes as Standard Liege defeated Roeselare 4-0.