American striker Conor Casey, 22, will be playing in the German First Division next season. Casey, tied for fourth leading scorer in the German Second Division this past season with 14 goals for Karlsruhe, is one reason why Mainz was promoted.
Casey scored the winning-goal in Karlsruhe's 1-0 victory over Alemannia Aachen in the last game of the season. The Karlsruhe win knocked Aachen out of third-place. Mainz won its last game of the season and finished in third-place. The top three teams are promoted.
Casey moved to Germany after his sophomore season at the University of Portland ended in 2000. He was signed by First Division Borussia Dortmund, which loaned him first to Hannover 96 and then to Karlsruhe.
Casey played four First Division games, scoring one goal, with Hannover during an injury-plagued 2002-03 season. He played 19 games and scored seven goals for Hannover in the Second Division during the 2001-02 season.
NORWAY
* Robbie Russell (Sogndal, D1), vs. Rosenborg, 3-3.
Started: 90 minutes. Russell scored Sogndal's second goal and was his team's highest rated player against the Norwegian power that is reportedly interested in signing the American. Dagbladet rating (10 high; 1 low):
Season stats: 6 games, 1 goals.
* Brian West (Fredrikstad, D1), at Bodo Glimt, 3-0.
Started: 80 minutes.
The former Columbus Crew forward scored his team's first and third goals in the 46th and 53rd minutes.
Dagbladet rating (10 high; 1 low): 6.
Season stats: 4 games, 2 goals.
SWEDEN
* Brian Dunseth (Bodens SK, D2), vs. BK Hacken, 1-1.
Started: 90 minutes.
League stats: 6 games, 0 goals.
* Steve Shak (Bodens SK, D2) vs. BK Hacken, 1-1.
DNP.
League stats: 4 games, 0 goals.
* Leighton O'Brien (Bodens SK, D2) vs. BK Hacken, 1-1.
Started: 90 minutes.
League stats: 5 games, 0 goals.