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Americans Abroad resume hunt for Europa League on Thursday

Clint Dempsey 8 (Getty Images) 

By FRANCO PANIZO

The quest for European glory continues for several Americans Abroad on Thursday, as the second round of Group Stage games in the Europa League gets underway.

After drawing last week, Clint Dempsey will look to help Fulham get its first win in Group K when the Cottagers take on Odense BK. Dempsey should start and a strong performance by him would go a long way in helping Fulham defeat the group leaders.

Oguchi Onyewu is also likely to earn a start when Sporting Lisbon faces Lazio in Group D action. Onyewu, who has been in fine form as of late, will have the tough task of trying to shutdown the likes of Djibril Cisse and Miroslav Klose as Sporting Lisbon looks to remain atop the group.

Here's who the Americans Abroad play in the Europa League on Thursday:

  • Brad Friedel and Tottenham Hotspur play Shamrock.
  • Steve Cherundolo and Hannover 96 play Vorskla.
  • Oguchi Onyewu and Sporting Lisbon play Lazio.
  • Jozy Altidore and AZ Alkmaar play FC Metalist Kharkiv.
  • Jonathan Spector and Birmingham play NK Maribor.
  • Dominic Cervi and Celtic play Udinese.
  • Jermaine Jones and Schalke 04 play Maccabi Haifa.
  • Clint Dempsey and Fulham play Odense BK.
  • Sacha Kljestan and RSC Anderlecht play Lokomotiv Moscow.

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Which match are you most looking forward to? Think Dempsey and Fulham will topple Odense? Expecting Onyewu to help Sporting Lisbon to another win?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Nice goal by Jozy but I don’t see the hype. He did what he was supposed to do, control the ball and slot it in with the keeper rushing out to close the angle. Just because he usually butchers those chances doesn’t mean we have to pretend like it was a “superb” goal.

    Frankly, that 30 yard strike he scored a few weeks ago was more impressive. To each his own I guess.

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  2. Good job overall Onyewu!!! I think our CB is back! Played like he wasn’t scared to get hurt. Created a lot of fouls on his behalf to avoid any danger in the box. His speed was also great, got beat a few times, but then again he isn’t Dereck Rose! He did keep up applying pressure, so I wouldn’t say he got beaten like Bornstink type tape. Anyways, good performance for the Gooch!

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  3. He just took a very smart risk, bumping a Lazio player who otherwise would have had a big chance. That’s a probable foul if outside the penalty zone, but very unlikely to be called for penalty within the penalty box. Shows confidence.

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  4. Commentator really impressed with Gooch tonight, and for good reason. Onyewu has dominated in defence today and was in no way at fault for Lazio’s goal cuz he was marking his man plus covering another; other sporting defenders lost their marks (klose). Also, people who are worried about Gooch’s distribution out of the back should have watched this game cuz he sure has shown improvement with his accurate passing and good distribution to the right teammates. I for one and really excited about the Return of the Beard, especially an in-form healthy one!

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  5. Definitely — his first touch on a somewhat overhit ball was sublime. Nice to see him finish by bending the ball beautifully into the corner as well.

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  6. With that goal, Jozy looked unusually skilled with the ball – controlling that tough pass with his left foot on the run and setting himself for the shot. I hope that’s a new dimension for him.

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  7. Believe me, in most cases I wouldn’t see him as a starter either. But the way Fulham have been playing lately, why not? In the long run they need someone else, but right now none of their options are very good.

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  8. That was a classy goal. Stayed onside in space, controlled a mediocre pass very well, and slotted the ball home at the far post. Well done.

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  9. yeah, who knows.

    Fulham haven’t looked great though. Dempsey seems to be going at it tonight, but service from the midfield isn’t great.

    Too bad they are probably losing Johnson. I thought he should have been getting more playing time this season as it is.

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  10. I think what he means is that Dempsey clearly wants to play CL football and since Fulham is in the EL this season, it’s an attractive reason to stay. Plus if he plays quite well and they go far in the competition, could help add more interest to him come next spring or summer.

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  11. Greg Seltzer at noshortcorners.com confirmed a handful of clubs from PSG to Dortmund to Milan at the beginning of the summer. Then Sevilla and Arsenal coming in for him at the last minute. Dempsey confirmed in a quote that Arsenal was a possibility. I’ll bet he’s gone in December or early next Summer. Fulham hasd definitely progressed his career, but he’s stated a desire to play CL.

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  12. Not sure what this comment means. Of course getting games in Europe helps.

    You could also say, “if Fulham were not in the EPL, he would have already left”.

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  13. If he was to move, where would he go? He’s a great talent, but I have not heard of many clubs setting their sights on getting his services.

    I’m not disagreeing with your belief he would have left, just not sure where he would have moved to

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  14. i for 1 just wanna know how close Dempsey was to moving to another club back in August. I just feel that if Fulham were not currently in the EL, he would have left already

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