NBA Jam fans can officially move Terrence Boyd from “He’s heating up” to “He’s on fire.”
Toss a boom-shacka-lacka in there as well.
The American forward bagged a brace for the second time in as many weeks as Rapid Wien beat table-toppers Red Bull Salzburg by a 2-1 score. Boyd headed home a corner kick in the first half before finding a winner in the 84th minute, though the win is more relevant to the race for second than catching Salzburg. Rapid is three points ahead of Austria Wien and six ahead of fourth-place SV Grodig, but 19 back of Salzburg. Boyd has 13 goals in league play and 18 overall, the top scorer for the Green-Whites.
In the Premier League, Tim Howard let two goals by him as Everton’s UEFA Champions League hopes were punched in the gut with a 2-0 loss to Southampton. At least he hit the pitch, although Jozy Altidore will be somewhat okay with being an unused substitute as Sunderland plowed out of the relegation zone with a 4-0 win over mostly-10-man Cardiff City. Stoke City’s Geoff Cameron went 90 minutes again, but the Potters fell to Spurs by 1-0 at the Britannia.
Brad Guzan is having troubles a-plenty as Aston Villa has gone right back into a relegation fight, even if the odds are in its favor. He gave up four goals for the third time since March 23, as Swansea City used home field to its advantage. Villa is just three points ahead of 18th place Norwich, though Guzan and Co. have played one less match. They have one point from their last six matches, with Hull, Manchester City and Spurs on the horizon.
Aron Johannsson again failed to make much of a difference as AZ Alkmaar lost again, this time 2-1 at ADO Den Haag. Juan Agudelo had better Dutch luck on the score sheet, but not in the win column. FC Utrecht lost 4-1 at Heerenveen, with Agudelo picking up an assist on the only goal.
In the Bundesliga, Fabian Johnson went 90 minutes in Hoffenheim’s 0-0 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt, registering a shot. John Anthony Brooks put the team on his back tattoo with the opening goal, and Hertha Berlin took care of Eintracht Braunschweig with a 2-0 win.
Besiktas got smoked by Sivasspor 3-0, and Jermaine Jones did not play. It must be asked: Did his patriotic knee tattoo play a role? We kid.
Jose Torres also picked up an assist as Tigres beat Atlas 2-1 on Sunday. Tigres is safe from the drop zone.
Back in the “lesser” leagues, Mix Diskerud picked up an assist in Rosenborg’s 5-2 win over Brann. Bob Bradley‘s Stabaek got back in the win column at home with a 3-2 win over Bodo/Glimt. Michael Stephens went 90 minutes in the win.
Sacha Kljestan did not play for Anderlecht in a huge 2-1 win over Standard Liege that boosts its quest for UEFA Champions League play. Anderlecht faces Club Brugge with a chance to make even louder noise next week.
