by FRANCO PANIZO
World Cup qualifying is in the rear-view mirror, and for the Americans Abroad that means it is time to get back into club soccer.
After missing international duty due to an ankle injury, Tim Howard should be healthy enough to start for Everton in possibly the most intriguing match of the weekend when the Toffees host Manchester United, Howard's former club.
The last time these two teams met Howard was hailed a hero, as he saved a pair of penalty kicks in Everton's FA Cup semifinal victory last season. But Everton has looked like a shell of its former self this season, and the club has only managed to win one game in its past five.
Another American to keep an eye on is Clint Dempsey, who has netted in three consecutive games. With Fulham playing Birmingham this weekend, there is a strong possibility Dempsey could stretch that scoring streak to four.
Looking for a battle of Americans? Look no further than the West Ham United-Hull City clash, which could pit Jonathan Spector against Jozy Altidore for the first time in their careers.
Here is a rundown of who the Americans Abroad will be playing this weekend:
FRIDAY
Ian Joyce and Southend United play Jemal Johnson and Milton Keynes Dons.
Kenny Cooper and TSV 1860 Munich play Arminia Bielefeld. (Cooper is injured.)
SATURDAY
Jozy Altidore and Hull City play Jonathan Spector and West Ham United.
Clint Dempsey, Eddie Johnson and Fulham play Birmingham.
Brad Friedel, Brad Guzan and Aston Villa play Burnley.
Tim Howard and Everton play Manchester United.
Marcus Hahnemann and Wolverhampton Wanderers play Chelsea.
Frank Simek and Sheffield Wednesday play Ipswich Town.
Jay DeMerit and Watford play Scunthorpe United. (DeMerit is out injured.)
Zak Whitbread and Millwall play Jon-Paul Pittman and Wycombe Wanderers. (Whitbread is out injured.)
Mike Grella and Leeds United play Brighton.
DaMarcus Beasley, Maurice Edu and Rangers play Kilmarnock. (Edu is out injured.)
Michael Bradley and Borussia Moenchengladbach play Eintracht Frankfurt.
Jermaine Jones and Schalke 04 play Steve Cherundolo, Sal Zizzo and Hannover 96. (Jones and Zizzo are out injured.)
Matt Taylor and FSV Frankfurt play RW Oberhausen.
Carlos Bocanegra and Stade Rennes play Le Mans.
SUNDAY
David Yeldell and TUS Koblenz play Alemania Aachen.
Michael Orozco and San Luis play Toluca in the Apertura quarterfinals.
MONDAY
Luis Robles and Kaiserslautern play FC Union Berlin.
Marcus Tracy and Aalborg play Benny Feilhaber, Jeremiah White and AGF Aarhus.
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Which Americans Abroad match are you most looking forward to? Which player(s) do you see having a big impact? Think Howard and Everton can get a result vs. Manchester United? Do you see Dempsey extending his scoring streak? Who will win the Spector-Altidore matchup?
Share your thoughts below.
jozy and timmy play against each other on monday too.
are you guys on about ives not listing Sochaux? the nit picking continues…ANSWER IVES’ QUESTION instead of these boneheaded critiques.
I think the West Ham v Hull City match is the most intriguing, as Phil Brown has stated Jozy’s absence from the club as a reason for his irregular playing time. Let’s see if he gets some minutes in this important fixture.
why no adu?
He did until he got a straight red. Lincoln want to extend the loan though, it was only for a month.
Smith is only on loan.
Hey Ives, Eric Lichaj has been loaned to Lincoln City of League 2. Why have you not mentioned him? He has been getting quality minutes there
( FYI Revs fans- Khano Smith has found a new home at City too)
Ives, I have to say that although I understand your reasoning, I disagree with you on this one. See my comment below.
strange. onyewu is listed as injured. they should do the same for Davies.
(SBI-Nothing strange about it. Onyewu is injured, but is due back before the end of the season. Davies won’t be back this season and everybody knows his situation. Where some people may be asking if Onyewu is back yet, nobody will be asking that any time soon about Davies. Now, if Davies makes a miraculous recovery where he might actually play club soccer again this season, then we’ll put Sochaux back on the list, but for now, since he’s essentially done for the year, there’s no need to list Sochaux. That clear enough?)
From the Sochaux web site: There was a friendly today against FC Sion, which was won 2-0 by Sochaux. Still don’t know why there a was an open date on their schedule.
Tout le FCSM avec Charlie.
Belenenses play in the Portuguese Cup against Valenciano, a third division team.
Cherundolo was one of the pall bearers at Enke’s memorial service the day after he was released from U.S. camp.
You can read a bit more about that here:
http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2009/11/sunday-ticker-van-persie-suffers-major-injury-maradona-banned-and-more.html
According to his twitter, he has been pretty active and impressive in practice…according to him (hint hint).
Freddy Adu must have disappeared.
This could be why Cherundelo was sent home early from the USMT
when they get better and/or have more playing time
When are we gonna see some of these other Americans get called up?
Still doesn’t seem right to me that Sochaux isn’t on this list. Seems like it would be a good way so say that we’re keeping CD9 in our hearts, even though we know the road to recovery might be a long one.
I think they are playing Nice actually, Sochaux’s home contest versus Nice.
Charlie hasn’t been listed on the american’s abroad since the mishap…understandably so.
Go Pittman! Wycombe really need some points.
Biggest match has to be the Hannover match. I don’t know how any of the German players can go on after Enke’s death, but they must.
It will be great to watch and I hope Ray Hudson doesn’t embarrass himself. Cherundolo with the armband, do us proud.
Sochaux are off this week. Anyone know why?
ALLEZ SOCHAUX!