by GIANFRANCO PANIZO
With the majority of the leagues in Europe still enjoying their "winter breaks", a myriad list of tournament match-ups were on display. The Americans Abroad contingent participated in England's FA Cup, the Coupe de France and even the Mexican InterLiga this past weekend.
Tim Howard and Brad Friedel were both victorious against their much weaker foes. And while Tim Howard earned a shut-out, some fans might question why Brad Guzan didn't get the nod for Aston Villa against lowly Gillingham.
Clint Dempsey served another 90 minutes in a Fulham victory but though the Deuce has been on a rampage lately, the more eye-opening news from this weekend was that Bobby Convey saw time on the field. Convey started Reading's match against Cardiff City and played 74 minutes before being subbed out. Speaking of Cardiff City, no Eddie Johnson did not play.
Here's how the rest of the Americans Abroad fared this weekend:
England
FA CUP
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Tim Howard started, played 90 minutes and made two saves in Everton's 1-0 win vs. Macclesfield Town on Saturday in the FA Cup.
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Brad Friedel started, played 90 minutes and made four saves in Aston Villa's 2-1 win vs. Gillingham on Sunday in the FA Cup.
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Brad Guzan dressed but did not play in Aston Villa's 2-1 win vs. Gillingham on Sunday in the FA Cup.
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Clint Dempsey started and played 90 minutes in Fulham's 2-1 win vs. Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday in the FA Cup.
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Jonathan Spector dressed but did not play in West Ham's 3-0 win vs. Barnsley on Saturday in the FA Cup.
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Frank Simek did not dress in Sheffield Wednesday's 2-1 loss vs. Fulham on Saturday in the FA Cup. He is recovering from a hamstring injury.
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Jay DeMerit started and played 90 minutes in Watford's 1-0 win vs. Scunthorpe United on Saturday in the FA Cup.
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Eddie Johnson did not dress in Cardiff City's 2-0 win vs. Reading on Saturday in the FA Cup.
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Marcus Hahnemann did not dress in Reading's 2-0 loss vs. Cardiff City on Saturday in the FA Cup. He is recovering from a calf injury.
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Bobby Convey started and played 74 minutes in Reading's 2-0 loss vs. Cardiff City on Saturday in the FA Cup.
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Ian Joyce dressed but did not play in Southend's 1-1 tie vs. Chelsea on Saturday.
Scotland
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DaMarcus Beasley did not dress in Rangers' 3-0 win vs. Inverness on Sunday.
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Maurice Edu did not dress in Rangers' 3-0 win vs. Inverness on Sunday.
Germany
Bundesliga 1 and Bundesliga 2 are both on winter break.
Spain
- Jozy Altidore did not dress in Villarreal's 1-0 loss to Real Madrid on Sunday. He is recovering from a leg injury.
Italy
Serie B is on winter break.
France
LIGUE 1
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Carlos Bocanegra started and played 90 minutes in Rennes' 1-0 win vs. Sochaux on Saturday in the Coupe de France.
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Freddy Adu did not dress in AS Monaco's 1-0 win vs. Blagnac on Sunday in the Coupe de France.
LIGUE 2
- Quentin Westberg started, played 90 minutes and made six saves in Troyes' 1-0 win vs. Louhans-Cuiseaux on Saturday in the Coupe de France.
Belgium
The Jupiler Pro League is on winter break.
Denmark
The Danish First Division is on winter break until March.
Austria
The Austrian Bundesliga is on winter break.
Mexico
Jose Francisco Torres started and played 90 minutes in Pachuca's 4-0 win vs. Tecos on Friday in the InterLiga.
American-born Players Playing for Other Countries
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Giuseppe Rossi (Italy) started and played 90 minutes in Villarreal's 1-0 loss vs. Real Madrid on Sunday.
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Brede Hangeland (Norway) started and played 90 minutes in Fulham's 2-1 win vs. Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday in the FA Cup.
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Boaz Myhill (Wales) did not dress in Hull City's 0-0 draw vs. Newcastle United on Saturday in the FA Cup.
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What do you think of these performances? Are you following the FA Cup? Excited to see Bobby Convey back in action? Wondering if Torres' performances will find him a spot on the roster against Mexico in February? Think Guzan should've started over Friedel against Gillingham?
Share your thoughts below.