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Americans Abroad Midweek Preview: Weston McKennie, Matt Miazga and more

It’s a week for cup action as Americans across three countries participate in domestic tournaments.

German soccer is headlined by the DFB-Pokal, which features several Americans as the quarterfinal round kicks off. Weston McKennie’s Schalke and John Brooks’ Wolfsburg collide while Aron Johannsson’s Werder Bremen takes on Bayer Leverkusen. Timmy Chandler and Eintracht Frankfurt, meanwhile, take on Mainz.

In England, Danny Williams and Huddersfield Town face a fourth-round replay against Birmingham City while Mexican soccer takes part in Copa MX action.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands sees Eredivisie play continue as Matt Miazga and Vitesse face ADO Den Haag following the defender’s goal over the weekend.

Here’s a look at this week’s action:

ENGLAND

FA CUP

Danny Williams and Huddersfield Town face Birmingham City on Tuesday.

GERMANY

DFB-POKAL

Aron Johannsson and Werder Bremen face Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.

Timmy Chandler and Eintracht Frankfurt face Mainz on Wednesday.

Weston McKennie and Schalke face John Brooks and Wolfsburg on Wednesday.

MEXICO

COPA MX

William Yarbrough, Landon Donovan and Club Leon face Venados FC on Tuesday.

Ventura Alvarado and Necaxa face Atletico Zacatepec on Wednesday.

Jorge Villafana and Santos Laguna face Rodrigo Lopez and Toluca on Wednesday.

NETHERLANDS

EREDIVISIE

Desevio Payne, Shane O’Neill and Excelsior face PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.

Matt Miazga and Vitesse face ADO Den Haag on Thursday.

Comments

  1. So why does SBI put McKennie in a massive headline as if he were available to play? I’m still frustrated by these lists that highlight US names equally no matter whether they’re first team, subs, or not even remotely on the bench. It seems like a not very good computer program, not an actual reporter.

    I’ve seen Ventura Alvarado in a game or two with Necaxa and was at least glad that he seems to have found a coach and a squad where he can get playing time. The coach had apparently worked with him before, or am I remembering that wrong? Thanks anyway, Lost in Space, for the recap.

    Also good to see Johannsson having a good week and good press.

    The NY Times article on Geoff Cameron was good, but I can’t see him playing to the age of 40 (!) on the national team. I’ve always had a soft spot for JJ, another prickly personality, but surely his time too is now well past.

    It still seems so hard to pick up shreds of information on these US players, especially the younger ones struggling for playing time in other leagues. Listing their names is better than nothing, but thank you to those of you who have actual news to contribute.

    Radical thought: What if SBI were to contact some of them and do an actual interview? Wouldn’t that be a win-win, raising visibility on both sides?

    Reply
  2. I heard Ventura Alvarado has played really well for Necaxa so far. Anyone else hear anything? I was excited about his commitment to the US a few years ago because I thought he had loads of potential, but he never really developed.

    Reply
    • CB’s, like keepers, often bloom later in their careers than other positional players, so there is still time for him to contribute to the USMNT. A few years ago Alvarado was showing promise at Club America when he was filing in for an injured starter. Unfortunately when the starter returned he had difficulty finding minutes which stunted his development. He then had a very bad stretch of games at the Gold Cup.
      If he’s getting regular club minutes he has the chance to be a decent depth option for the US, considering his versatility (able to play anywhere on the back-line) and the fact that we have a very young CB pool don’t be surprised when/if he gets call-ups as either a CB or Outside Back….especially if we ever go to a 3 back or 5 back formation.

      Reply

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