If Fulham is to pull off the improbable and reach the Europa League semifinals, the Cottagers will need to do so without Clint Dempsey.
The American midfielder/forward will miss Fulham's quarterfinal second leg vs. Wolfsburg on Thursday with a thigh injury. He suffered the injury during Fulham's recent win vs. Wigan.
Fulham won the first leg, 2-1, in London, but must now travel to Germany without Dempsey. Top striker Bobby Zamora is also an injury worry, as he battles an Achilles injury.
Here are some other stories to wrap up your Wednesday:
MLS Teams Learn U.S. Open Cup Opponents
The New York Red Bulls will play its first cup match at Red Bull Arena later this month when it plays host to the Philadelphia Union in a U.S. Open CUp play-in match on April 27.
The New York-Philadelphia Open Cup match is one of five announced involving MLS teams for the U.S. Open Cup. The winner of the Red Bulls-Union match-up will face the New England Revolution on May 12.
The Kansas City Wizards will play host to the Colorado Rapids on April 13, with the winner of that match facing the winner of the New England/New York-Philly match.
San Jose will play host to Real Salt Lake on April 13, while D.C. United is expected to play host to FC Dallas on April 28. The winners of these matches will face each other on a date to be determined.
Houston Stadium Project Clears Another Hurdle
The Houston Dynamo's stadium project moved a step closer to reality on Wednesday after the Houston City Council approved public funding for infrastructure improvements around the proposed stadium.
The next step in the process will take place Tuesday, when the Harris County Commissioner's Court must also approve the deal.
In other Dynamo news, former Dynamo striker Joseph Ngwenya is joining Houston on trial. A member of the Dynamo's championship team in 2007, Ngwenya has been a target for Houston for some time, but appears ready to re-join a Dynamo team that can use depth at forward.
Earthquakes deal Amarikwa to Rapids
The San Jose Earthquakes dealt forward Quincy Amarikwa to the Colorado Rapids for a second-round draft pick, the clubs announced on Wednesday.
A third-round pick in 2009, Amarikwa made 24 appearances for San Jose, recording a goal and two assists.
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What do you think of these developments? Still think Fulham can beat Wolfsburg without Dempsey (and possibly Zamora)? Excited to see the U.S. Open Cup match-ups? Starting to believe the Houston Dynamo stadium project is going to become a reality?
Share your thoughts below.