U.S. Abroad: Bobby Wood scores on run from midfield line

  

After a week of international duty, Americans returned to action across Europe and in Mexico.

GERMANY D2. Andrew Wooten maintained his share of the German 2.Bundesliga scoring lead with his sixth goal in six games for Sandhausen in its 1-1 tie with first-place Bochum. Bobby Wood's second goal of the season followed a long run from the midfield line into the penalty area, where he fell to the ground only to get up and slot it past the Karlsruhe goalkeeper in a 3-0 win for Union Berlin.

ENGLAND. Tim Howard won for the fifth time in seven meetings against Chelsea at Goodison Park with a 3-1 win that left Everton in seventh place in the English Premier League after five games. His only save of the game denied Spaniard Cesar Azpilicueta. Brad Guzan wasn't so fortunate as Aston Villa blew a 2-0 lead at Leicester City and lost 3-2.

ENGLAND D2. Jonathan Spector's return to the national team coincided with Birmingham City's best start in his five seasons with the club in the English League Championship. Spector, who came on late in the 4-1 loss to Brazil, started on Saturday as the Blues remained unbeaten with a 4-2 win over Bristol City. They are tied for third place with three wins and two draws for 11 points and have a game in hand.

U-23 candidate Horvath gets win in goal.

NORWAY. With Cody Cropper injured, one of his possible replacements in goal for the U.S. U-23s in Olympic qualifying is Ethan Horvath, but his availability is uncertain as he is starting for Molde. The Norwegian club prepped for Thursday's Europa League opener at Turkey's Fenerbahce with a 4-2 win Sandefjord. Horvath made four saves as Molde moved into seventh place in the 16-team Tippeligaen with eight games to play.

Arriola contributes off bench in Tijuana victory.

MEXICO. Playing time remains scarce for Americans in Mexico as four players -- all defenders -- started over the weekend: Ventura Alvarado (Club America), Michael Orozco (Tijuana), Jonathan Bornstein (Queretaro) and Edgar Castillo (Monterrey). Paul Arriola, who played for the USA at the 2015 U-20 World Cup, did have an impact off the bench, almost immediately drawing the penalty kick that proved decisive in Tijuana's 2-1 in over Guadalajara.

Another easy win for Rangers with Zelalem in midfield.

SCOTLAND D2. Gedion Zelalem has started three games for Rangers since arriving in late August on loan from Arsenal, and it has won all three games. The 18-year-old midfielder went 74 minutes in the 3-0 win over Livingston that kept Rangers perfect -- 10 wins in 10 games in all competitions. Rangers has won the three games that Zelalem started by a margin of 13-1.