Just one match remains before the international break, and a pair of U.S. Men’s National Team starters will collide before joining each other as teammates for the Hexagonal round.
John Brooks goes head to head with Fabian Johnson this weekend as Hertha Berlin faces off with Borussia Monchengladbach on Friday afternoon. Entering the match, Hertha surprisingly sits five points above their opponents, making the match vital for a Monchengladbach team looking to move out of midtable mediocrity.
In other German action, Christian Pulisic and Borussia Dortmund will look to follow a midweek Champions League win with another result against a Hamburg team without goalscorer Bobby Wood. The USMNT forward is set to miss three matches due to suspension after earning a straight red card for an elbow over the weekend.
In England, Bob Bradley and Swansea City face another monumental test in a clash with Manchester United, while Lynden Gooch and Sunderland face Emerson Hyndman’s Bournemouth.
Here’s a closer look at this weekend’s Americans Abroad:
FRIDAY
John Brooks and Hertha Berlin face Fabian Johnson and Borussia Monchengladbach.
Greg Garza, Michael Orozco, John Requejo, Paul Arriola, Amando Moreno, Alejandro Guido and Tijuana host Jose Torres, Luis Silva and Tigres.
Tim Ream and Fulham face Brentford.
A.J. Soares and AGF Aarhus take on Silkeborg.
Jerome Kiesewetter and Fortuna Dusseldorf host Dynamo Dresden.
SATURDAY
Lynden Gooch and Sunderland visit Emerson Hyndman and Bournemouth.
Brad Guzan and Middlesbrough visit Manchester City.
Julian Green and Bayern Munich host Hoffenheim.
Alfredo Morales and Ingolstadt face Augsburg.
Christian Pulisic and Borussia Dortmund face off with Bobby Wood and Hamburg. (Wood is serving a three-match suspension)
Timmy Chandler and Eintracht Frankfurt take on Cologne.
Omar Gonzalez and Pachuca visit Cruz Azul.
Jonathan Bornstein, Luis Gil and Queretaro visit Toluca.
Ventura Alvarado and Club America visit Atlas.
Edgar Castillo and Monterrey host Veracruz.
William Yarbrough, Miguel Ibarra and Leon take on Chivas de Guadalajara.
Jonathan Spector and Birmingham City visit Huddersfield Town.
DeAndre Yedlin and Newcastle host Cardiff City.
Eric Lichaj and Nottingham Forest take on Queens Park Rangers.
Danny Williams and Reading visit Wigan Athletic.
Perry Kitchen and Hearts face St. Johnstone.
Russel Canouse and VFL Bochum visit SpVgg Greuther Furth.
Desevio Payne and FC Groningen take on NEC Nijmegen.
Duane Holmes and Scunthorpe United visit Charlton Athletic.
Gboly Ariyibi and Chesterfield visit Colchester United.
SUNDAY
Cameron Carter-Vickers and Tottenham face Gedion Zelalem and Arsenal.
Bob Bradley and Swansea City host Manchester United.
Terrence Boyd and RB Lepzig take on Mainz.
Aron Johannsson and Werder Bremen face Schalke.
Jorge Villafana and Santos Laguna face Chiapas.
Rubio Rubin and FC Utrecht host Excelsior.
Matt Miazga and Vitesse face SC Heracles Almelo.
Caleb Stanko and FC Vaduz take on Grasshoppers.
Andrew Wooten and SV Sandhausen take on 1860 Munich.
Ethan Horvath, Josh Gatt and Molde visit Lillestrom.
Cole Grossman and Stabaek face IK Start.
There’s ten guys on here that haven’t dressed all season, and no mention of Bjorn Johnsen. I mean sure we know he plays with Kitchen, but still show our skinny giant some love.
I have a question about transfer rules: if Landon Donovan wanted to play for Swansea, and Bob Bradley decided he was good enough to play, would he have to wait until the January transfer window or would he be eligible to play immediately because he is outside of UEFA? An old, out of form Donovan is probably still good enough to make the cut for Swans right now.
I believe he has a financial interest in Swans so this is at least a theoretical possibility.
I’m pretty sure an out-of-contract player is free to sign at any time.
If his contract ends at the completion of the season and there is no option year or anything like that he would be eligible to sign with Swans, but they won’t.
Big week for Gooch, rumor is Moyes is out if they don’t win. Moyes seems to really like “Young Goochie” as he calls him, the next manager may not.