by FRANCO PANIZO
Clint Dempsey has cooled down a bit since achieving a rapid-fire scoring streak over the past seven weeks, but Dempsey will have an opportunity to reignite that streak this weekend, only his chance comes against an EPL heavyweight.
Dempsey and Fulham play host to Manchester United, which is still trying to make up for its 1-0 loss to Aston Villa at home last weekend. While Sir Alex Ferguson's men will be the favorites, it's worth noting that Fulham have only lost once since October, and that Dempsey, who is tied for first in goals scored for Fulham with five, has been one of the Cottagers' marquee players during that run.
Other Americans looking to continue their stellar run of form are midfielders DaMarcus Beasley and Michael Bradley. Beasley is coming off two impressive performances for Rangers, and can make it three against Motherwell, while Bradley and Borussia Moenchengladbach hope to climb up the Bundesliga standings vs. Bayer Leverkusen.
Jozy Altidore is also hoping to push Hull City up the standings, as the club sits only a point away from the drop zone heading into its match against Arsenal. If Altidore can find the back of the net for the first time in his EPL career, then Hull will likely be one step closer to pulling out a result and improving their chances of avoiding relegation.
Here is a rundown of who the Americans Abroad will be playing this weekend:
FRIDAY
Jermaine Jones and Schalke 04 play Mainz. (Jones is out injured.)
David Yeldell and TUS Koblenz play Matt Taylor and FSV Frankfurt. (Yeldell is out injured.)
SATURDAY
Clint Dempsey, Eddie Johnson and Fulham play Manchester United.
Brad Friedel, Brad Guzan and Aston Villa play Stoke City.
Jozy Altidore and Hull City play Arsenal.
Frank Simek and Sheffield Wednesday play Swansea City.
Jay DeMerit and Watford play Peterborough United.
Zak Whitbread and Millwall play Charlton Athletic.
Jemal Johnson and Milton Keynes Dons play Brentford.
Ian Joyce and Southend United play Exeter City.
Mike Grella and Leeds United play Southampton.
Jon-Paul Pittman and Wycombe Wanderers play Oldham Athletic.
DaMarcus Beasley, Maurice Edu and Rangers play Motherwell.
Oguchi Onyewu and AC Milan play Fiorentina. (Onyewu is out injured.)
Michael Bradley and Borussia Moenchengladbach play Bayer Leverkusen.
Steve Cherundolo, Sal Zizzo and Hannover 96 play VfL Bochum. (Zizzo is out injured.)
Carlos Bocanegra and Stade Rennes play Paris Saint-Germain.
Kamani Hill and Vitoria de Guimaraes play Rio Ave.
SUNDAY
Marcus Hahnemann and Wolverhampton Wanderers play Burnley.
Jonathan Spector and West Ham United play Chelsea.
Tim Howard and Everton play Birmingham.
Dominic Cervi and Celtic play Heart of Midlothian.
Kenny Cooper and TSV 1860 Munich play FC Union Berlin. (Cooper is out injured.)
Freddy Adu and Belenenses play Uniao Leiria
MONDAY
Luis Robles and Kaiserslautern play FC Augsburg.
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Which Americans Abroad match are you most looking forward to? Which player(s) do you see having a big impact? Do you see Dempsey scoring this weekend? What do you expect of Bradley and Beasley this weekend? Think Altidore will find the back of the net?
Share your thoughts below.