While English soccer continues to push on with the return of the FA Cup, Liga MX returns to action over the weekend, adding several familiar faces to the list of Americans Abroad in action.
In England, Danny Williams faces the toughest test of the bunch as Reading collides with an in-form Manchester United side. The FA Cup also sees DeAndre Yedlin and Jonathan Spector collide as Newcastle takes on Birmingham City, while younger players like Cameron Carter-Vickers, Emerson Hyndman and Gedion Zelalem hope for a chance as their respective teams take on lower-league opposition.
Liga MX is back in action this weekend, and is headlined by reigning champions Tigres’ clash with Santos Laguna, which added U.S. Men’s National Team defender Ventura Alvarado in the brief offseason. Joe Corona also returns to the Tijuana squad for a match against Morelia, while Omar Gonzalez and William Yarbrough will be on opposite ends of Pachuca’s meeting with Club Leon.
Elsewhere, Josh Perez and Fiorentina take on Pescara in Serie A action as the young American looks to continue to push into the first team.
Here’s a closer look at this weekend’s Americans Abroad:
FRIDAY
Jonathan Bornstein, Luis Gil and Queretaro face Veracruz.
SATURDAY
Danny Williams and Reading take on Manchester United.
DeAndre Yedlin and Newcastle visit Jonathan Spector and Birmingham City.
David Wagner and Huddersfield Town host Port Vale.
Emerson Hyndman and Bournemouth visit Millwall.
Lynden Gooch and Sunderland take on Burnley. (Gooch is injured)
Geoff Cameron and Stoke City face Wolverhampton Wanderers. (Cameron is injured)
Eric Lichaj and Nottingham Forest visit Wigan Athletic.
Gedion Zelalem and Arsenal take on Preston North End.
Michael Orozco, Joe Corona, John Requejo, Paul Arriola, Amando Moreno, Alejandro Guido and Tijuana face Morelia.
Jose Torres, Luis Silva and Tigres face Ventura Alvarado, Jorge Villafana and Santos Laguna.
William Yarbrough and Leon take on Omar Gonzalez and Pachuca.
Gboly Ariyibi and Chesterfield visit Bradford City.
Duane Holmes and Scunthorpe United host Bury.
SUNDAY
Tim Ream and Fulham visit Cardiff City.
Brad Guzan and Middlesbrough host Sheffield Wednesday.
Cameron Carter-Vickers and Tottenham take on Aston Villa.
Josh Perez and Fiorentina visit Pescara.
Edgar Castillo and Monterrey face Puebla.
I hope the ManU vs Reading Game is televised, this is a big test for Williams and Co. Also, are there any more reports on whether Danny is still a target for premiere league teams??
Man U vs. Reading is on FS 1 at 7:30 a.m. EST on Saturday. Which is too early for us on the West Coast.
Not sure Reading will try very hard to win this one. They need all their best players fit for the promotion fight, so they may not risk it for a less probable shot at the FA Cup.
Hoping Hyndman, Zelalem and CCV can all get some FA Cup minutes this weekend. De La Torre played some League Cup so perhaps he can get in this weekend as well.
Also, interested to see if Villafana is back in the lineup. LigaMx has some rules about playing youth players a certain number of minutes each season and with Santos out so early in the fall maybe that was why Jorge was benched.