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Americans Abroad: A Look Ahead

Landon Donovan Everton (Getty Images) 

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.

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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.

Comments

  1. Donovan had better play lights out or we might not see him starting much after this week. Osman is fit again and according to reports in the British press Arteta is only a week or two away. With Pienaar, Fellaini, Osman, Arteta and Bilyaletdinov and god knows who else I am forgetting, that midfield is getting crowded fast.

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  2. welp, considering bradley was the one to first cap nguyen, and then bring him to a major tournament, i wouldnt say any negative bias exists. maybe he just wanted a lot of money, is just not that good and plays in the vietnamese league.

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  3. Don’t worry about it. Tim is the starter in Merseyside unless he turns around and punts the ball in the back of the net, pisses behind the sponsor boards Lehmann-style, then does the airplane to the corner flag where he does the stanky leg, all while intoxicated.

    (his spot is safe)

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  4. I would think Altidore will start tomorrow cause he played pretty well against Man U the first time around…. If he gets time PLEASE let him score a goal

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  5. Me? I wold be challenged to play in the 8th division.

    I just watched the game on TV and when i didn’t recognize the player i looked him up. When i noticed he has the US citizenship i thought i’d post a comment here.

    He was substituted late and Freiburg lost 0:1 at home. I thought he was solid.

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  6. BBC is reporting Everton are looking to possibly sign Slovakia’s NT ‘keeper – Jan Mucha. Not sure he’s all that great (plays for Legia Warsaw), but a 27 year old national team starter coming in behind Timmy raised my eyebrow.

    I don’t know that he’s starting quality in the EPL as I know zilch about him.

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  7. Wow, I was all set to write a sarcastic reply about how he plays for Freiberg II in the Regionalia whatever whatever, before I realized that you are right. Cool, nice call, thanks!

    BTW since no one else has ever heard of him, can I assume that you are, in fact, Daniel Williams?

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  8. Thanks for the link.

    What a disgrace for MLS. As for Nguyen, if he plays well this year you’ll see him in Europe come the fall, on loan at even a permanent transfer. He performs well there, he’ll force the hands of the National team coaches and he’ll get his caps.

    Besides, Bob Bradley will be looking for work after the WC and we’ll have a new coach, so any bias that may be harbored there should go with our wonderful coach

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