[AMERICANS IN GERMANY] In December, Hansa Rostock coach Frank Pagelsdorf said Heath Pearce would never play for him again because of a dispute related to Pearce's late arrival from winter vacation. But on Saturday, Pearce was needed as a halftime sub when defender Dexter Langen left the stadium to be with his wife for the birth of their child.
The game was scoreless when Pearce, 23, made his 11th Bundesliga appearance of the season in the game against Arminia Bielefeld. The teams traded goals in the last six minutes for a 1-1 tie that kept Rostock in 14th place, five points above the relegation zone.
Also in the German First Division, Hannover 96, with Steve Cherundolo, won its first game of 2008 with a 2-1 win over FC Nuremberg.
Cherundolo, making his 21st appearance of the season, received his second yellow in three games. Sal Zizzo, 20, was on the bench for Hannover but didn't get to see his first Bundesliga action since joining the club last summer.
Hannover moved up to eighth place with the win, four points below the UEFA Cup qualifying zone.