By FRANCO PANIZO
The Bundesliga winter break is over, and for Michael Bradley and Borussia Moenchengladbach that means it's time to pick up where they left off in their continuous battle against relegation.
Moenchengladbach currently sits five points above the drop zone, and will be hoping to build on that advantage as it takes on relegation-threatened VfL Bochum. Bradley was enjoying a string of strong showings in December, and will be looking to continue that level of play in the German League's first week back from its winter recess.
Also starting up this weekend is the Mexican League, in which Jose Francisco Torres and Edgar Castillo will continue to try and make their claims for the U.S. World Cup team. Torres and Pachuca open up their Clausura campaign against Estudiantes U.A. de G, while Castillo and Tigres UANL play Puebla.
The most anticipated match of the weekend, however, might be when Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and Everton host red-hot Manchester City. The Citizens have yet to lose under new manager Roberto Mancini, but Donovan can help change that in his Goodison Park debut if he performs as well as he did in his EPL opener vs. Arsenal last weekend.
Here is a complete rundown of who the Americans Abroad play this weekend:
SATURDAY
Jozy Altidore and Hull City play Tottenham Hotspur.
Marcus Hahnemann and Wolverhampton Wanderers play Wigan Athletic.
Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and Everton play Manchester City.
Frank Simek and Sheffield Wednesday play Barnsley.
Jay DeMerit and Watford play Doncaster Rovers.
Zak Whitbread and Norwich City play Colchester United.
Mike Grella and Leeds United play Exeter City.
Jemal Johnson and Milton Keynes Dons play Hartlepool United.
Ian Joyce and Southend United play Huddersfield Town.
Jon-Paul Pittman and Wycombe Wanderers play Charlton Athletic.
DaMarcus Beasley, Maurice Edu and Rangers play Hamilton Academical. (Beasley is out injured.)
Dominic Cervi and Celtic play Falkirk.
Michael Bradley and Borussia Moenchengladbach play VfL Bochum.
Steve Cherundolo, Sal Zizzo and Hannover 96 play Hertha Berlin. (Zizzo is out injured.)
Luis Robles and Kaiserslautern play SpVgg Greuther Furth.
Carlos Bocanegra and Stade Rennes play Lens.
Kamani Hill and Vitoria de Guimaraes play Vitoria Setubal.
Marco Vidal and Indios de Ciudad Juarez play Monterrey.
Jose Francisco Torres and Pachuca play Estudiantes U.A. de G.
SUNDAY
Brad Friedel, Brad Guzan and Aston Villa play Jonathan Spector and West Ham United.Clint Dempsey and Fulham play Blackburn Rovers.Oguchi Onyewu and AC Milan play Siena. (Onyewu is out injured.)Jermaine Jones and Schalke 04 play Nurnberg. (Jones is out injured.)David Yeldell and TUS Koblenz play Kenny Cooper and TSV 1860 Munich. (Cooper is out injured.)Matt Taylor and FSV Frankfurt play MSV Duisburg.
Freddy Adu, Eddie Johnson and Aris Salonika play Giannina.
Edgar Castillo and Tigres UANL play Puebla.
Michael Orozco and San Luis play America.
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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 Bradley will begin 2010 with a positive performance? Hoping to catch a glimpse of Castillo or Torres this weekend? Expecting another strong outing from Donovan?
Share your thoughts below.