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Americans Abroad: Weekend Preview

Aron Johannsson AZ Alkmaar 1 (Getty Images)

By FRANCO PANIZO

Whatever worked for Aron Johannsson against Heerenveen on Wednesday, he will likely be asked to do again this weekend.

Three days after victimizing Heerenveen with a brace in a KNVB Cup victory, Johannsson once again will go up against the Super Frisians in an Eredivisie tilt on Saturday. AZ is currently on a five-game winless run in league play and could use another goal-scoring outing from the U.S. Men’s National Team forward to try and put an end to that while also attempting to get back into the race for next season’s UEFA Champions League.

While Johannsson is aiming to build on his recent success, John Brooks is looking to rebound from a rough outing for Hertha Berlin. The seventh-placed Bundesliga club visits Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, and Brooks is surely hoping to be given another chance to prove his worth after struggling so mightily last weekend that he drew public ire from his head coach.

Another match in Germany worth watching Saturday will take place at Grundig-Stadion. Timmy Chandler and relegation-threatened Nurnberg are set to host Jermaine Jones and Schalke 04, and both teams need victories in order to move a step closer to accomplishing their goals. Nurnberg is looking to get out of the relegation zone and is four points shy, while Schalke are five away from a Champions League spot.

Here is who the Americans Abroad battle this weekend:

FRIDAY

Michael Parkhurst and FC Augsburg play Eintracht Frankfurt.

SATURDAY

Geoff Cameron, Maurice Edu, Brek Shea and Stoke City play Brad Guzan and Aston Villa.

Jozy Altidore and Sunderland play Norwich City.

Oguchi Onyewu and Queens Park Rangers play Leicester City.

Jonathan Spector and Birmingham City play Eric Lichaj and Nottingham Forest. (Spector is out injured.)

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

Duane Holmes and Huddersfield Town play Brighton & Hove Albion.

Zak Whitbread and Derby County play Doncaster Rovers. (Whitbread is out injured.)

Danny Williams and Reading play Wigan Athletic.

John Brooks and Hertha Berlin play Borussia Dortmund.

Steve Cherundolo and Hannover 96 play SC Freiburg.

Fabian Johnson, Joe Gyau and TSG Hoffenheim play TSV Eintracht Braunschweig.

Timmy Chandler and FC Nurnberg play Jermaine Jones and Schalke 04.

Bobby Wood and TSV 1860 Munich play FSV Frankfurt.

Alejandro Bedoya and FC Nantes play St Etienne.

Aron Johannsson and AZ Alkmaar play Heerenveen.

SUNDAY

Cody Cropper and Southampton play Brad Friedel and Tottenham Hotspur.

Tim Howard and Everton play Swansea City.

Michael Bradley and AS Roma play Catania.

Sacha Kljestan and RSC Anderlecht play Standard Liege.

MONDAY

Alfredo Morales and FC Ingolstadt 04 play Kaiserslautern.

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Which of these matches are you most looking forward to? Expecting Johannsson to have another goal-scoring outing vs. Heerenveen? Do you envision Brooks starting against Borussia Dortmund?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. This could be Altidore’s last chance to score a goal.
    If he can’t score against Norwich he’ll probably stay in the bench the rest of the season.

    Reply
  2. I remember the match commentators in the last Sunderland game listing future opponents and Sunderland has about 4 games in a row against teams in the bottom half of the table. So, a chance for Jozy to shine and the Black Cats to pick up some points. At least they are playing markedly better under Poyet. Their biggest problem still seems to be unforced give aways by defenders and midfielders.

    Reply

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