AMERICAN star Brad Friedel tried to put the awful events of the past 24 hours to one side last night to turn out in goal for Blackburn Rovers.

He said a silent prayer in his penalty box before the Worthington Cup tie with Oldham and a minute's silence was also observed before the game.

"From a football point of view it wasn't difficult at all," said Friedel after Rovers 2-0 Worthington Cup win.

"To be honest with you, after the events of the last few days it was a breath of fresh air to come and have a football match.

Friedel, who hails from Lakewood, Ohio, added: "My wife did something with her friends and I had the game so we both got to clear our heads a bit. So by all accounts it was blessing in disguise that we had a game."

But Friedel was too upset to even talk about the tragic events back home saying: "What has happened is absolutely incredible but I can't really say any more than that at this stage."