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Americans Abroad: Weekend Preview

By FRANCO PANIZO

When Michael Bradley signed with AS Roma over the summer, the move meant the chance to take part in some high-profile clashes. Perhaps none matters more than the Rome Derby.

Bradley take part in his first chapter of the Roma-Lazio rivalry this weekend as the battle for the Italian capital features two teams currently on the outside of the top four in Serie A. Roma is two points behind Lazio for fifth place and Bradley is expected to feature in a match-up that could see him matched up against Brazilian midfield ace Hernanes.

In other action, Josh Gatt and Molde FK could be celebrating a second Norwegian championship in a row with a victory against Honefoss on Sunday. A win combined with another favorable result would give Gatt and his team a second straight league title. Gatt is likely to start for Molde as they aim for three points, and he will also be rooting for Stromsgodset to fall to Sandnes Ulf in their Sunday clash.

Brad Guzan will also be involved in a big match this weekend, as he and Aston Villa host league leaders Manchester United on Saturday. Guzan was recently named the Villans’ Player of the Month for October, so he will be looking to replicate the type of performances he demonstrated last month in order to secure a result against the Red Devils.

Another Premier League fixture worth watch will take place on Sunday. Brad Friedel, Clint Dempsey and Tottenham visit a Manchester City that will be looking to put an end to a two-game winless run in matches across all competitions. Friedel is all but sure to start, while Dempsey also seems a good bet to earn a nod from manager Andre Villas-Boas.

Here is who the Americans Abroad will square off against this weekend:

FRIDAY

Timmy Chandler and FC Nurnberg play Mainz.

Andrew Wooten and SV Sandhausen play Alfredo Morales, John Anthony Brooks and Hertha Berlin.

Eugene Starikov and FK Rostov play FK Amkar Perm’.

Herculez Gomez, Benji Joya and Santos Laguna play Morelia.

SATURDAY

Tim Howard and Everton play Sunderland.

Geoff Cameron, Maurice Edu and Stoke City play Queens Park Rangers.

Brad Guzan, Eric Lichaj and Aston Villa play Manchester United.

Zak Whitbread and Leicester City play Robbie Findley and Nottingham Forest.

Jonathan Spector, Will Packwood and Birmingham City play Blackburn Rovers.

Tim Ream, Stuart Holden and Bolton Wanderers play Blackpool. (Holden is out injured.)

Conor Doyle and Derby County play Millwall. (Doyle is out injured.)

Frank Simek and Carlisle United play Brentford.

Mike Grella and Scunthorpe United play Coventry City.

Robbie Rogers and Stevenage play Preston North End.

Oguchi Onyewu and Malaga play Real Sociedad.

Carlos Bocanegra and Racing Santander play Girona.

Fabian Johnson, Danny Williams and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim play Fortuna Dusseldorf.

Jermaine Jones and Schalke 04 play Werder Bremen.

Jozy Altidore and AZ Alkmaar ADO Den Haag.

Michael Parkhurst and FC Nordsjaelland play Charlie Davies and Randers FC.

Jose Torres and Pachuca play Jaguares de Chiapas.

Jonathan Bornstein and Tigres UANL play Ventura Alvarado and Club America.

Michael Orozco Fiscal and San Luis play Toluca.

SUNDAY

Clint Dempsey, Brad Friedel and Tottenham Hotspur play Manchester City.

Michael Bradley and AS Roma play Lazio.

David Yelldell and Bayer Leverkusen play VfL Wolfsburg.

Steve Cherundolo and Hannover 96 play VfB Stuttgart.

Tony Taylor and Estoril Praia play Moreirense.

Sacha Kljestan and RSC Anderlecht play Club Brugge.

Terrence Boyd and Rapid Vienna play Wolfsberger AC.

Conor O’Brien and SonderjyskE play Odense BK.

Clarence Goodson and Brondby IF play Silkeborg IF.

Mix Diskerud and Rosenborg BK play Fredrikstad.

Chad Barrett and Valerenga play Lillestrom.

Sean Cunningham and Stabaek IF play Sogndal. (Cunningham is out injured.)

Josh Gatt and Molde FK play Steve Clark and Honefoss BK.

DaMarcus Beasley and Puebla play Queretaro.

Sonny Guadarrama and Atlante play Pumas UNAM.

Joe CoronaEdgar CastilloGreg Garza and Club Tijuana play Chivas de Guadalajara.

MONDAY

Joe Gyau and St Pauli play VfL Bochum.

Caleb Patterson-Sewell and Vitoria Setubal play Maritimo.

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Which of these games are you most looking forward to? Do you see Gatt and Molde celebrating a league title this weekend? Think Guzan will fare well against Manchester United?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

    • He is from everything I’m seeing, and he’s really liked, but unfortunately he’s probably going to be on the bench this week, based on what I’m reading (I’m Italian and follow the Italian sports sites). The problem is that he’s starting to be seen as a similar player to De Rossi, simply because the other midfielders are playing great and De Rossi is in a slump. That means that if he plays he’s benching De Rossi. A lot of Roma watchers would actually want this, as Bradley’s been doing better than De Rossi this year, but then again DDR is Roma’s franchise player (Totti being the other). There are rumors of possibly selling De Rossi (and there are plenty of potential buyers), and these have been rekindled by the fact that Roma is currently doing better when he’s riding pine. But the fact remains that as things stand long as De Rossi is wearing a Roma shirt Bradley’s going to be competing with him for playing time (except when Tachtsidis or Florenzi are injured). It’s really a great complement to be seeing as De Rossi’s replacement on Roma 🙂 but it may hurt his playing time for now 🙁

      Reply
      • Their similarities are quite clear. DDR is an amazing player, MB is in his mold. Maybe not as good, but I believe he could be,.

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