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Americans Abroad: A Look Ahead

USMNT052910859 

photo by John Todd/ISIphotos.com 

By FRANCO PANIZO

Before Carlos Bocanegra captains the U.S. national team in its friendly against Brazil, he'll be trying to do something he hasn't done in nearly two years: make his team debut.

Bocanegra will be aiming to see action with new club Saint Etienne as it opens the season on the road against Paris Saint-Germain. If Saint Etienne's pre-season match against Swiss club Neuchatel Xamax last week was any indication, then Bocanegra will likely start at left back.

Another player looking to make his debut this weekend will be Anton Peterlin. The former Cal Poly SLO midfielder could see time for Plymouth Argyle when it faces Southampton.

Far from being a newcomer on his team, Alejandro Bedoya will be hoping to help Orebro SK maintain its current streak of six games without a loss when it hosts second-place Malmo FF.

Here is a rundown of who the Americans Abroad will be playing this weekend:

FRIDAY

Zak Whitbread and Norwich City play Watford.

SATURDAY

Mike Grella and Leeds United play Derby County.

Anton Peterlin and Plymouth Argyle play Southampton.

Frank Simek and Carlisle United play Brentford.

Carlos Bocanegra and Saint Etienne play Paris Saint-Germain.

Charlie Davies and Sochaux play Arles.

Sacha Kljestan and RSC Anderlecht play Royal Charleroi SC.

Marcus Tracy, Chris Rolfe and Aalborg BK play Silkeborg IF. (Rolfe is out injured.)

Alejandro Bedoya and Orebro SK play Malmo FF.

Michael Hoyos and Estudiantes de la Plata play Newell's Old Boys.

Jose Torres, Herculez Gomez, Marco Vidal and Pachuca play Santons. (Torres is out injured.)

Edgar Castillo and San Luis play Chivas de Guadalajara.

SUNDAY

Michael Parkhurst and FC Nordsjaelland play Brondby.

Ryan Miller and Halmstads BK play Elfsborg.

Steve Clark and Honefoss BK play Kongsvinger.

Mikkel Diskerud and Stabaek IF play Stromsgodset.

Clarence Goodson, Hunter Freeman and IK Start play Brann.

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How do you see Bocanegra faring this weekend should he make his debut? Believe Peterlin will play this weekend? Do you think Bedoya and Orebro will defeat Malmo? 

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Uh… we probably WILL lose, this is Brazil we’re talking about. As a nation, we really need a collective reality check, we’re several levels below the top nations in the world, and likely a fair number of European, South American and other nations.

    We’re getting there step by step, and I believe some day we’ll really compete consistently with the best… but if we’re going to really be honest here, we’re like a good mid-major team in the NCAA b-ball tourney, we might win a few games here or there, but aren’t really going to win it all…

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  2. the bigger question is why is Bradley playing 15 from the WC team while Brazil plays 2? The WC is over and this group didn’t do very much. Why are we bringing our so called “A” team when we should have used this game to bring in more young player.

    Please Bob, get a job somewhere else and give the US a chance next time? I am very tired of seeing this crew and as long as BB is captain of the ship, that’s all were gonna get.

    Imagine how embarrassing this will be if we somehow manage to lose this game. We have nothing to gain and everything to lose

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  3. Lichaj played for Villa today against Valencia and looked sharp. You always forget about him, plus, he’s scored already this pre-season. Young player with a very bright future.

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  4. I seem to remember a quote (but I can’t find it) where he says he would accept a Denmark call-up if it ever came. However, as a 23 year old in League One he won’t be getting any calls from Denmark (or the US) just yet.

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  5. dunno. After they were relegated they said they couldn’t afford to keep him. Hopefully a blackpool type team picks him up for a run in the EPL

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  6. Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Soccer Plus are two different channels. Only Fox Soccer Plus is showing Championship and League One games on tv.

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  7. It’s tough for Grella – he’s on the fence. He’ll get some playing time but not enough for his age.

    I think he stays though. He’s going to want to impress in this league and the forwards they brought in are shaky – one did well enough in Division 2 – quite a jump to CC. The other has been iffy his entire career.

    I’d like to see Grella in January as well. Good player.

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  8. FSC has League Uuuuuunnnnnnnh, now? Very niii-cuh.

    FSC’s listings for tomorrow have an A-League game at 9:00 AM. For those who are still down on MLS, you can watch that A-League game and gain a little perspective.

    Reply
  9. TV listings, via Goff, added:

    FRIDAY

    Zak Whitbread and Norwich City play Watford.
    England, Norwich-Watford 3 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer Plus

    SATURDAY

    Mike Grella and Leeds United play Derby County.
    England, Leeds-Derby 12:15 p.m. FSP

    Carlos Bocanegra and Saint Etienne play Paris Saint-Germain.
    France, Paris Saint-Germain-Saint Etienne 3 p.m. FSC

    Jose Torres, Herculez Gomez, Marco Vidal and Pachuca play Santons. (Torres is out injured.)
    Mexico, Pachuca-Santos Laguna 8 p.m. Telefutura

    Reply
  10. I think Grella will be loaned out. IMO he still has guys in front of him including Davide Somma. Somma went on loan in League Two last season and did well. Grayson has said he is included in the clubs plans this season and won’t go out on loan.

    Grella has said he wants pt and at this point he needs it. He needs first team games.

    Leeds are in the Championship now so I’d expect them to get some loanees from the Premiership.

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  11. Come on Charlie. If he makes the bench it will be a success. Expecting big things from Kjlestian and Grella this year. Leeds are thin up top and Grella could see a lot of time on the pitch.

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  12. They rate him on par if not better than their current 18 year olds. If they can get international clearance in time he will be in the squad against Leeds. He’s a tall kid but very skillful, he’ll be one to watch.

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  13. Oh yes, I think I saw something on Sky Sport’s news ticker that Zak Whitbeard will not be available in today’s game.

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  14. Wait, are you saying that the US captain, Carlos Bocanegra, has not actually played in a club match in nearly two years???

    Reply

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