By FRANCO PANIZO
It took 15 years, but finally another member of the U.S. men's national team has started a Serie A match.
The man responsible for accomplishing that feat is Michael Bradley, who got the nod and went the distance in Chievo Verona's surprising 1-0 win over Napoli on Wednesday. Bradley's start, which came just three days after he made his debut for Chievo, makes him the first U.S. international to earn a start in Italy's top flight since Alexi Lalas did so for Padova back on February 25, 1996.
Another player to earn his first start with his new club was Alejandro Bedoya, who made his official Rangers debut in the club's Scottish League Cup game against Falkirk. Bedoya played 59 minutes before being subbed off in a match Rangers lost 3-2, a result that eliminated the reigning champions from the competition.
Here's how the Americans Abroad performed on Wednesday:
CARLING CUP
- Clint Dempsey did not dress in Fulham's 4-3 penalty kick loss (after a 0-0 draw) vs. Chelsea.
- Jonathan Spector started and played 90 minutes in Birmingham City's 2-0 loss vs. Manchester City.
- Tim Howard dressed but did not play in Everton's 2-1 extra-time win vs. West Bromwich Albion.
SCOTTISH COMMUNITIES LEAGUE CUP
- Dominic Cervi did not dress in Celtic's 2-0 win vs. Ross County.
- Maurice Edu did not dress in Rangers' 3-2 loss vs. Falkirk.
- Alejandro Bedoya started and played 59 minutes for Rangers.
- Carlos Bocanegra started and played 90 minutes for Rangers.
SERIE A
- Michael Bradley started and played 90 minutes in Chievo Verona's 1-0 win vs. Napoli.
LIGUE 1
- Quentin Westberg did not dress in Evian Thonon Gaillard's 2-0 loss vs. Olympique Marseille.
RUSSIAN CUP
- Eugene Starikov came off the bench and played 45 minutes in FK Tom Tomsk's 3-1 loss vs. FC Rostov in the Round of 16.
COFIDIS CUP
- Sacha Kljestan dressed but did not play in RSC Anderlecht's 4-0 win vs. Lommel United in the sixth round.
LANDSPOKAL
- Michael Parkhurst started and played 90 minutes in FC Nordsjaelland's 2-0 win vs. Hjorring in the third round.
- Clarence Goodson started and played 90 minutes in Brondby IF's 4-0 win vs. Elite 3000 in the third round.
- Conor O'Brien came off the bench and scored a GOAL in SonderjyskE's 1-0 win vs. Svebolle in the third round.
ALLSVENSKAN
- Ryan Miller started and played 90 minutes in Halmstads BK's 5-1 loss vs. Malmo FF.
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Suprised Bradley's start marked the 12th year since a U.S. men's national team player played in Serie A? What do you think of Bedoya's official Rangers debut?
Share your thoughts below.
