By FRANCO PANIZO
Landon Donovan has performed well in his first two matches with Everton, even with the snarling English media watching his every move. But if Donovan really wants to feel pressure, he'll have that chance this weekend as Everton plays in a win-or-you're-out scenario.
Donovan and Everton battle Birmingham in the fourth round of the FA Cup, giving Donovan his first taste of one of England's knockout cup competitions. The U.S. national team attacker has fared well thus far in league play (against Arsenal and Manchester City, no less), and with Donovan's understanding of his teammates only improving, his first goal for the Toffees could come this weekend.
Donovan isn't the only one looking to thrive in FA Cup action. Aston Villa 'keeper Brad Guzan will likely get the nod over incumbent Brad Friedel when the club takes on third-division Brighton, and a solid showing and win for Guzan would be impressive, considering he just helped the Villans reach the Carling Cup final earlier this week.
If you're a U.S. national team fan hoping to see Ricardo Clark make his Eintracht Frankfurt debut, it might be a little too early, but Freddy Adu might make his first Aris Salonika appearance when they take on Greek giant Panathinaikos.
Here is a rundown of who the Americans Abroad play this weekend:
FRIDAY
Kenny Cooper and TSV 1860 Munich play Hansa Rostock. (Cooper is out injured.)
Matt Taylor and FSV Frankfurt play SpVgg Greuther Furth.
Carlos Bocanegra and Stade Rennes play Saumur in the round of the 32 in the Coupe de France.
Herculez Gomez and Puebla play Estudiantes U.A. de G.
SATURDAY
Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and Everton play Birmingham in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Clint Dempsey and Fulham play Accrington Stanley in the fourth round of the FA Cup. (Dempsey is out injured.)
Brad Friedel, Brad Guzan and Aston Villa play Brighton in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Marcus Hahnemann and Wolverhampton Wanderers play Crystal Palace in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Mike Grella and Leeds United play Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Jozy Altidore and Hull City play Manchester United.
Jay DeMerit and Watford play Blackpool.
Frank Simek and Sheffield Wednesday play Peterborough United.
Zak Whitbread and Norwich City play Brentford.
Ian Joyce and Southend United play Jon-Paul Pittman and Wycombe Wanderers.
Jemal Johnson and Milton Keynes Dons play Tranmere Rovers.
DaMarcus Beasley, Maurice Edu and Rangers play Heart of Midlothian. (Beasley is out injured.)
Michael Bradley and Borussia Moenchengladbach play Hertha Berlin.
Jermaine Jones and Schalke 04 play VfL Bochum. (Jones is out injured.)Steve Cherundolo, Sal Zizzo and Hannover 96 play Mainz. (Zizzo is out injured.)
Ricardo Clark and Eintracht Frankfurt play Nurnberg.
Luis Robles and Kaiserslautern play Ahlen.
Jose Francisco Torres and Pachuca play Queretaro
Edgar Castillo and Tigres UANL play Guadalajara.
Michael Orozco and San Luis play Atlante.
SUNDAY
Dominic Cervi and Celtic play St Johnstone.Oguchi Onyewu and AC Milan play Inter Milan. (Onyewu is out injured.)David Yeldell and TUS Koblenz play Arminia Bielefeld. (Yeldell is out injured.)
Freddy Adu, Eddie Johnson and Aris Salonika play Panathinaikos.
Marco Vidal and Indios de Ciudad Juarez play Santos.
—————–
Which Americans Abroad match are you most looking forward to? Which player(s) do you see having a big impact? Will Donovan score against Birmingham? Think Guzan will help Aston Villa to another victory? Who will make their debut sooner, Clark or Adu?
Share your thoughts below.
I heard a rumor that DMB use to play at Man City? Any truth to this? 😉
Why is that? Spending another 1-2 years in Vietnam (and probably heading back to Europe afterwards unless the new CBA changes conditions in MLS) means he can’t make the 2014 squad? I realize young MLS guys have to pay their dues, but he doesn’t have to play for 5 years in MLS at 35K to make his case.
when will clark get his debut?
It’s because Beasley has glass bones and paper skin
*just probably kissed
Have fun in Vietnam, Lee. You just probably your 2014 chacne goodbye
nobody likes a smart ass
….I meant that he might have had an issue with American’s overall….
Gotta catch Lando on stream and kinda sucks to watch Fulham without Demp’s
If anyone is curious about the Lee Nguyen to MLS deal falling through, there’s an interview on thisisamericansoccer.com
FOX SOCCER CHANNEL
FA Cup PRESTON NORTH END-CHELSEA (live)7:30 am.
FA Cup ACCRINGTON STANLEY-FULHAM (live)10 am.
FA Cup TOTTENHAM-LEEDS (live)noon.
Italy JUVENTUS-ROMA (live)2:30 pm.
International Men’s Friendly USA-HONDURAS 9 pm.
Ask geoffersen. I think he has new information. 🙂
We just did.
Good lord that’s a depressing list this week. Dempsey, Onyewu, Beasley, and Cooper all out injured. So much for getting a good WC draw…
Kenny Cooper’s rehab took longer than expected but he’s expected to be back to playing by sometime in February. Story is from a few days ago on soccer365.com
Adu was never at Xerez…I doubt the issues that Altidore had there will follow Adu…
What games are on FSC?!?!?
and what about Kenny Cooper? I thought his injury was supposed to be for three weeks. It’s been a good three months and we haven’t heard even the slightest rumble from Germany about the former Dallas man.
I’m interested in seeing how Moyes will use Donovan this weekend. While Landon has looked good on the right, I think he could have had more of his offensive ideas come off against Manchester City; I bring that down to him not getting enough of the ball, and I bring that down to him not playing at left midfield. Moyes said he’d play Donovan in different positions so I have to think he might switch things up some time soon, and there doesn’t seem a better time than the FA Cup. If he and Bilyletdinov switch, they would both have merit to come inside, then they could combine with Pienaar and Fellaini, who were clearly the best players on the field against City last weekend. This would also allow Baines and Neville to get up the flank, who ALSO had a good showing last weekend. Moyes is a smart manager, he’ll figure it out eventually, especially if Landon proves to be beneficial to Everton’s cause.
On another note, I wonder when Aris are planning on giving Freddy a run out. He didn’t get a chance during that cup match and that’s too bad, but they surely can’t keep him off the field for too much longer. Unless, you know, the manager from Xerez has some connections to Aris….
I would be it was McBride. Or Bacanegra.
Actual answer…Brede Hangeland who holds dual citizenship for the US and Norway…sorry had to chime in and be a brat..scored in 2008 (August) match against Arsenal…
McBride and Bocanegra both last played for Fulham in the 2007-08 season. McBride scored at 52′ in the second to last match of the season (3 May 2008) against Birmingham. Bocanegra’s last premiership goal was also against Birmingham, but it occurred in the the two teams’ first meeting of the 2007-08 season (29 Dec 2007).
Those who said McBride were right.
Can anyone tell me if DMB played for Man City?
Thanks!
During the 2006-2007 season DMB scored 3 goals in the league and 1 in the FA Cup for Manchester City while on loan from PSV.
Didn’t Beasley play at Manchester City for a short time?
Actually, Beasley did play in the EPL with Manchester City before he went to Rangers. But I still think it’s McBride — he scored against Everton at the end of the 2007-2008 season well after Boca fell out of favor at Fulham.
DMB played for Man City on loan before Rangers.
I assume we are talking about goals during league games.
The last season at Fulham for both Boca and McBride was the 2007-2008 season and both scored goals that year. I couldn’t figure out who scored last but Boca scored just one. Both DMB and Demerit were out of the Premiership by then. My money would be on McBride.
DMB played for Man City. He had a couple goals as i recall.
Or just look on Soccernet’s “All Live Scores” section. Very useful, you can even re-arrange the sections so that your favorite leagues appear closer to the top.
Today’s gametimes…
1860 Munich – Hansa Rostock (12:00)
FSV Frankfurt – SpVgg Greuther Furth (12:00)
Saumur – Stade Rennes (14:45)
All times are east coast time.
How could it be Beasley? He has never played in the EPL and that’s the league OmarVizquel was talking about. I’m pretty sure it’s Bocanegra sometime in 2007-2008.
What is up with this Beasley injury? Any word on why it is taking so long to heal? Initially, he thought he would only be out for a week or so.
Also, [insert obligatory Jermaine Jones injury question here.]
Definately McBride.
It was McBride in 2008.
LOL
Yeah, Ives and Franco, times and tv listings would be cool as well.
I think as a general rule, anytime you mention an upcoming game, you should mention the date, time, and availability. Just an idea.
Thanks,
-Mike
Boca when he was at Fulham. Beasley could be it too. Altidore did score in the cup.
It occurs to me that Brad Friedel has more goals than Jozy in the Prem.
I would have to say Boca as well.
i think Boca on a set piece – didn’t he play a year longer than McBride at Fulham?
Any chance you could start adding times for these games?
Thanks.
Boca or MC B……???
Damn good question. I’ll go with Jay Demerit. Was Watford in the Prem. more recently than McBride?
Oops. In reply to Omar.
Prolly Brian McHead
I would guess it was Brian McBride…
Jemal Johnson is on loan with Stockport County.
Quiz: Who was the last American (other than Clint Dempsey) to score a goal in a Premier League match?
(I should mention that I don’t know the answer myself…)