Marlon Fossey finally got back onto the field after an injury lay-off, while the other Belgian Yanks saw little to no time on the field over the weekend.
Standard Liege 2 – 0 Anderlecht
In this fixture known as The Belgian Classic, it was a good day for the team from Wallonia as they came out on top by a score of two goals to none and also saw their American captain Marlon Fossey return to the field of play after a time on the sidelines due to injury. The former Fulham man played a very good first half but was subbed off to start the second, as he slowly works his way back to full game fitness.
The classic was as classics are apt to be, with lots of aggression and rough challenges. In fact the first half hour wasn’t much of an entertaining spectacle unless you find the referee flashing yellow cards entertaining. Monsieur Lambrechts had to reach into his pocket four times in that time period – two yellows for les Rouches and two for les Mauves.
That first half hour also produced the first goal of the game. With their first real chance, Gustav Mortsensen bolted down the field and picked out Rafiki Said, who slid the ball into the box for Ibrahim Karamoko to run onto and blast into the back of the Anderlecht net.
Standard came out of the locker room to start the second half with more goals on their minds and just a couple minutes in, it almost happened when a defensive error gifted the ball to Said but he was denied by Colin Coosmans between the Brussels boys’ sticks. Regardless, because Said after providing assistance on the first goal, the man from the island nation of Comores was celebrating one of his own. Due to more defensive fumbling, Said got the ball in a great spot and as Coosmans came out to challenge him, the 25-year-old coolly chipped the ball over the keeper to double the lead.
It was Standard’s first victory in the classic since October 2023 and more importantly, their first home win in three months. The three points puts Fossey’s men into eighth place, three points behind Gent and Charleroi who occupy the fifth and six spots. With just seven games left, the fight is on for a top six finish, which would see them compete in the top play-off group with a title and European place at stake. Up next, they’ll travel to take on third place Club Brugge.
Notes
Bryan Reynolds missed out on Westerlo’s game against Zulte-Waregem due collecting too many yellow cards. Griffin Yow, of course, left the team and is now on the books of New England Revolution. The Gamecocks came away with the 1-0 victory and find themselves in 11th place with high-flying second place Sint-Truiden their next opponents.
Devon De Corte played the last five minutes in Anderlecht Futures Challenger League clash against Royal Liege in Brussels. The affair ended goal-less, leaving the side in the 14th spot. Up next they’ll travel east to take on Seraing, who are one place lower in the standings.
After going up a goal early on, Jamath Shoffner saw his Lierse side concede twice as Beerschot came from behind with an 84th minute winner. Now in 11th place on 24 points, they’ll have a tough time climbing up to the top six and challenge for a promotion place with just 11 games left on the calendar. Up next will be a visit to Royal Liege.
