The group stage of the UEFA Europa League is set to begin on Thursday afternoon, and with it comes a tasty match-up involving two of the more talented American youngsters.
Terrence Boyd and Mix Diskerud are set to square off in the lone battle of Americans in this first round of group stage matches when Rapid Vienna hosts Rosenborg BK, and both players will be aiming to help their respective club kick things off with three points in Group K. The former U.S. Under-23 men's national team teammates both had vital goal-scoring performances that helped their teams reach this point in the competition, and building on that in what will be their first taste of European action would surely provide them with more confidence going forward.
Clint Dempsey and Brad Friedel could also be in action, as Tottenham Hotspur host Lazio in Group J. Dempsey made his debut off the bench for the Spurs this past weekend, and a start could be in the cards for him as the Premiership club looks to start off their Europa League campaign with three points.
Here is a complete rundown of the Americans who could be in action on Thursday:
Josh Gatt and Molde FK play FC Copenhagen in Group E. (Gatt is out injured)
Clint Dempsey, Brad Friedel and Tottenham Hotspur play Lazio in Group J.
David Yelldell and Bayer Leverkusen play FC Metalist Kharkiv in Group K.
Terrence Boyd and Rapid Vienna play Mix Diskerud and Rosenborg BK in Group K.
Alejandro Bedoya and Helsingsborg IF play Levante in Group L.
Steve Cherundolo and Hannover 96 play Twente Enschede in Group L.
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What do you think of these Europa League matches? Which Americans do you see having the best chances of making runs in this competition? Who will win between Boyd's Vienna and Diskerud's Rosenborg?
Share your thoughts below.
Starting lineup for Tottenham includes Dempsey
—-Dempsey—-Defoe—-Lennon—-
———-Bale——-Dembele——
————–Sandro————–
Naughton-Vertonghen-Caulker-Walker
thanks man….
Games start at Noon and then 2. Spurs-Lazio at 2 on FSC
sure hope he at least enjoys that Bundesliga salary
Some start times would be cool….
David Yelldell is goalkeeper number 3 after the arrival at Leverkusen in August of Michael Rensing from Cologne. Yelldell has not dressed the past two Bundesliga games.
This is true, and Tottenham no doubt will be doing some rotating. So if Clint does not start today then he would probably start Sunday against QPR.
Actually he’s not even number 2
Fox Soccer Channel is showing 3 games and then most of the other ones are on foxsoccer.tv. Unfortunately that doesn’t include the Boyd/Mix game, however.
But I’m sure a stream can be found somewhere.
Lazio-Tottenham should be good. Klose and Hernanes are on fire right now.
Does anyone know if Boyd/Mix game is going to be on TV?
Adebayor is supposedly injured so Clint should be able to make a start
will Yelldell be the no2 at Bayern leverkeusen forever?
Bryan Gerzicich and Hapoel Kiryat Shmona also play Athletic Bilbao today in Europa League action…
Agreed. Lloris is the deadline day arrival more likely to be handed his first start
Tottenham v Lazio should be a good match, two quality teams. I believe all the non goalkeepers will likely feature for their teams because I doubt Friedel will play; have no idea about Yelldell’s status but if he was a starting keeper for Bayer I imagine I’d know about it
Excited to see if Deuce gets his first start. Something tells me not to get my hopes up just quite yet though.