by FRANCO PANIZO
Six points is all that seperates second place from twelfth in Ligue 1, and for Carlos Bocanegra and Stade Rennes, this weekend provides an opportunity to leapfrog a few teams.
After a winless November, eleventh place Stade Rennes will look to claim victory when it battles Lorient in the quest to climb up the standings, and into a position for next season's European soccer. The challenge will be difficult for Stade Rennes, as it visits a fourth place Lorient side that has not lost in its last four games, and only once in its last nine.
Jonathan Spector also has a daunting task ahead of him, as West Ham United hosts Manchester United. The Hammers are coming off a decisive 5-3 win over Burnley, and need another victory to avoid falling into the relegation zone.
If you're hoping to catch Jozy Altidore score his first EPL goal this weekend, then he will have to do so against a fellow American. Altidore and Hull City play Aston Villa, who will likely have Brad Friedel between the pipes.
Here is a rundown of who the Americans Abroad will be playing this weekend:
FRIDAY
Michael Bradley and Borussia Moenchengladbach play Bayern Munich.
Matt Taylor and FSV Frankfurt play FC Augsburg.
Kamani Hill and Vitoria de Guimaraes play FC Porto.
SATURDAY
Jonathan Spector and West Ham United play Manchester United.
Brad Friedel, Brad Guzan and Aston Villa play Jozy Altidore and Hull City.
Marcus Hahnemann and Wolverhampton Wanderers play Bolton Wanderers.
Frank Simek and Sheffield Wednesday play Reading.
Jay DeMerit and Watford play Newcastle United. (DeMerit is out injured.)
Mike Grella and Leeds United play Huddersfield Town.
Jemal Johnson and Milton Keynes Dons play Yeovil Town.
Ian Joyce and Southend United play Charlton Athletic.
Zak Whitbread and Millwall play Hartlepool United. (Whitbread is out injured.)
Jon-Paul Pittman and Wycombe Wanderers play Stockport County.
DaMarcus Beasley, Maurice Edu and Rangers play Falkirk.
Dominic Cervi and Celtic play Aberdeen.
Oguchi Onyewu and AC Milan play Sampdoria. (Onyewu is out injured.)
Steve Cherundolo, Sal Zizzo and Hannover 96 play Bayer Leverkusen. (Zizzo is out injured.)
Luis Robles and Kaiserslautern play Hansa Rostock.
David Yeldell and TUS Koblenz play St Pauli.
Carlos Bocanegra and Stade Rennes play Lorient.
Freddy Adu and Belenenses play Rio Ave.
Marcus Tracy and Aalborg play Sonderjyske.
SUNDAY
Clint Dempsey, Eddie Johnson and Fulham play Sunderland.
Tim Howard and Everton play Tottenham Hotspur.
Jermaine Jones and Schalke 04 play Hertha Berlin.
Kenny Cooper and TSV 1860 Munich play RW Oberhausen. (Cooper is injured.)
Michael Parkhurst and FC Nordsjaelland play FC Midtjylland.
MONDAY
Jay DeMerit and Watford play Queens Park Rangers. (DeMerit is out injured.)
Benny Feilhaber, Jeremiah White and AGF Aarhus play Esbjerg.
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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 Bocanegra can help turn things around for Stade Rennes? Do you see Spector starting against Manchester United? Will Jozy score his first goal of the season this weekend?
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I’ll take it! If St. Pauli get promoted, I’ll flip out.
well. not 9 but will 5 do?
I generally don’t root against Americans, but here’s hoping David Yeldell lets in 9 this weekend.
WHITE TO PHILLY pray for it Ives could be a boast for mls and usmnt!
No doubt, Jeremiah White has some great skill and speed. Sadly though, in his current situation (not having been called up since his lone cap in Jan. 2008), one has to wonder how far he is off the nats radar, especially considering he didn’t receive a call up vs Denmark in Denmark.
If he has to a chance to make the WC roster he’ll have to prove he’s more valuable an asset then Robbie Rogers. In comparison to Robbie, White has experience on his side. The kind of experience that’s only gained from playing in Europe. But in all fairness to Robbie, who’s can hold his own as far as speed and technical ability, Robbie can send a cross with whichever foot as opposed to Jeremiah White, who solely depends on his right foot, not to say White isn’t effective on either side of the wing.
If he does in fact join Philadelphia (and I so pray he does), that will definitely help his chances if he can find his game in MLS. Apples to oranges, MLS will give Bradley a clearer view if White truly belongs anywhere near the national team.
does Bradley lead the world in Yellows or what? it seems like between him a Bocanegra noone gets more cards.
wow I have never seen him play.. but at least in that video he has some great skill and speed. I really hope Philly locks him in and he gets some national call ups!
Maybe not a great move for White but an excellent move for Philadelphia, that is, if it happens. Exciting player, probably the Fredy Montero of MLS 2010/Philadelphia.
The second tackle was certainly not cardworthy, and I actually got a kick out of him jawing with the Bayern player…much preferred to him verbally abusing his coach or the ref.
He was yanked shortly afterwards, by the way.
Well-deserved yellow and he could have had another, after which he started jawing with a Bayern Munich player. Nothing makes me more annoyed than M. Bradley acting like he’s Zidane or something. He’s a short-fuse, doesn’t pick his fights well, tackles horribly, and I’m saying right now that there is a 1 in 3 chance he’ll be sent off in South Africa.
Jerry is leaving in January. Aarhus don’t want to pay the higher tax for him since he is a foreign player. He’s been linked with Philly.
I believe those two are currently in Vancouver actually. Hoffenheim next year.
Bradley gets a yellow card for a late slide tackle.
White appears super fast and can put in some good crosses on occasion, but I’d like to see him get into a tougher competition. Kind of reminds me of Charlie Davies’ skill set. He has said in an interview he is considering leaving his team in January.
I noticed on ussoccer.com that the U-17’s will be playing a friendly against Portugal tonight on FSC. Does anyone know if our top players will be playing? Are Renken and Gyau still staying in Germany? Anyone have a link to an internet feed? Thanks.
ya, that run into the box and chest down was great.
MB with a nice assist on ‘Gladbach’s goal. Could have had one of his own earlier, but the pass was behind him and his touch because of it took him too close to the goalie and to a bad angle and he made a save.
Bradley nearly had a second assist after chesting the ball down to a teammate just outside the box, but the keeper made a great save. He also started a great counterattack that nearly led to a goal. So far he’s had a quality performance.
For those who don’t know exactly how skilled Jeremiah White is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNyBhOVjekI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRoaga6wrYE&translated=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaPQNS4__RA
Don’t get too carried away though. He’s good, but he’s doing this against Danish SuperLiga teams; as good as they are, we should’t weigh it too heavily.
Bradley with the assist. 1-1.
Come on Bradley, hold that midfield tight.