[AMERICANS ABROAD] Brian McBride scored for Fulham in a 2-0 win over Birmingham that moved the Cottagers out of the relegation zone for the first time since Dec. 22. The team with four other Americans will almost certainly avoid the drop from the English Premier League if it wins its final game against Portsmouth next Sunday. Reading, with two Americans, fell into the relegation zone with a 1-0 loss to Tottenham. Reading is tied on points with Fulham but has an inferior goal difference of six.
Fulham started three of its Americans against Birmingham. Kasey Keller started in goal. Clint Dempsey, who signed a contract extension through 2010, started upfront with McBride. Carlos Bocanegra remained on the bench and Eddie Johnson did not suit up.
McBride, who had earlier hit the crossbar with a header, opened the scoring with a diving header after meeting Jimmy Bullard‘s free kick in the 52nd minute. Erik Nevland scored Fulham’s second with three minutes left.
Robbie Keane beat Reading’s American keeper Marcus Hahnemann in the 16th minute in the 1-0 Tottenham win that may doom Reading to the second tier. American midfielder Bobby Convey did not suit up for Reading.
Reading, which has not scored in six games, faces already relegated Derby in its last match.
BOTTOM FIVE
16. Bolton 36 (-18)
17. Fulham 33 (-23)
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18. Reading 33 (-29)
19. Birmingham 32 (-19)
20. * Derby 11 (-65)
*Relegated. (goal difference in parentheses)