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Americans Abroad: A Look Ahead

Michael Bradley 5 (Getty Images) 

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:

International Response Fund

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.

Comments

  1. “Norwich City is a club that has been in the top flights of English football as recently as 5 years ago”

    5 years ago the housing market was ingreat shape. 5 years ago my IRA was in great shape. 5 years ago was a very long time ago.

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  2. Ives – to add to Josh D’s comment. Would also love it if we could get a periodic Injury report providing informaiton on injured players rehab/recovery. Personally I’m really worried about some of our players projected recovery timeline as it relates to possible WC slots (Gooch, Jones, Davies, etc.)

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  3. Kyle Davies is one recent example that could be used. Although playing mostly in Southampton’s youth academy he got into a few reserve matches but didn’t progress enough for Southampton to offer him a new contract and thus ended up in MLS; eventually with FC Dallas. I don’t follow FCD enough to know what the perception is of him and how his performance has been but he wasn’t good enough for Southampton but appears to have some MLS pedigree.

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  4. not a fair analysis about MLS being equal with lower championship teams and upper 1 teams….you just cant say that without some sort of stats and there arent any, MLS havent played against championship or league 1 teams

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  5. Ives – to take this weekly to the next level can we see the TV listings combined with this? I’d like to see who’s playing, at what time, and on what channel in all one blog post.

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  6. Norwich City is a club that has been in the top flights of English football as recently as 5 years ago. They can outspend any MLS club (minus DP slot)… there is no reason for Zak or even Mike Grella who earns decent wages @ Leeds (team much like Norwich in history and support, maybe more)…MLS is getting better but even League 1 clubs in the upper half are more of a “chance” to showcase and earn a wage than MLS…just the truth… even though I am quite certain the most MLS teams would be top half of League1 or bottom half of the Colaship

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  7. As well as Spector. I could definitely see ‘Dolo getting the nod if he keeps getting games while the other 3 aren’t. Gooch is unlikely to probably get games even when healthy at AC.

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  8. He basically grew up in England so that’s why he started and has so far remained in the English leagues I presume. As for playing in the 3rd division, he’s typically been considered a Championship caliber player and for the past few years is constantly linked to upward moves. Anyway, he just transferred to a League One team that is a frontrunner for promotion so he’ll likely be in the Championship next year.
    But really to answer your question, coming to MLS wouldn’t really be coming home.

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  9. Euan is trialing in Denmark but its nice to have the Dynamo option if it doesn’t work out. However, the team in Denmark extended his trial.

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  10. If young USMNT players can get a work permit and are with a team in England, they don’t leave. I can’t really think of one who has….but probably it’s not that many. I’m sure he wants to (1) make money and (2) move up to a better division. His best bet for both is without a doubt to stay in England.

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  11. I found it very funny that Houston selected a Holden in the draft…maybe they were hoping their fans wouldn’t notice ?

    Now it might backfire on them when they have two Holdens on the team…exposing the hoax.

    Obviously I hope he stays.

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  12. Ives – Just read that Coyle is “considering” giving Holden a contract as of right now. Do you really think there is a chance that he wont get one? This seems like its could be a huge fork in the road for his career. Think he’ll still find quality first team football if he doesnt pick up a contract at bolton?

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  13. Any update on DMB’s injury at Rangers? He had a great month of December and is out again, (with what I thought was a minor knock). Is he expected to return soon?

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  14. Here is my question and I am fairly ignorant about the whole thing…thus me asking a question.

    Zak Whitbread is playing the third division in England. Please use Zak as a generic example, I don’t know anything about him.

    Why ?

    Does he makes more in third division than in MLS ?

    If yes, is that because he would be second rate in MLS and thus making closer to league min, which barely pays ?

    Does he do it because he thinks the competition is better in third division England ? (Seems unlikely to me that money wouldn’t be factor)

    Just trying to figure out how far MLS is from being able to keep talent at home…or bringing it back like Perkins.

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  15. Ives:

    If Boca doesn’t start getting games, is there any chance he could end up back in England during the current window? We need him to get regular games ahead of the World Cup. can’t have him and Gooch being rusty at the WC!

    Reply

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