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Americans Abroad: A Look Ahead

Stuart Holden 6 (Getty Images) 

By FRANCO PANIZO

Stuart Holden's first full season in the Premiership is set to begin this weekend, and Bolton Wanderers' season opener will likely pit him against some familiar faces.

If Holden sees time when Bolton hosts Fulham, he could play versus U.S. national teammates Clint Dempsey and Eddie Johnson, who are hoping to earn starts under new manager Mark Hughes.

Another season opener of interest is Maurice Edu and Rangers' match against Kilmarnock. Its opponent may not be of the highest caliber, but Rangers could use a win at home to kickoff a campaign which it hopes will end with a third consecutive league title.

If you prefer a different style of soccer, the start of Germany's DFB Pokal might be of intrigue. Several Americans, including Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones, will be looking to help their clubs avoid elimination in the first round of the tournament.

Here is a rundown of who the Americans Abroad will be playing this weekend:

FRIDAY

Amaechi Igwe and FC Ingolstadt 04 play Luis Robles and Karlsruhe in the first round of DFB Pokal. (Igwe is out injured.)

Ricardo Clark and Eintracht Frankfurt play SV Wilhelmshaven in the first round of DFB Pokal.

Matt Taylor and FSV Frankfurt play SC Paderborn 07 in the first round of DFB Pokal.

David Yelldell and MSV Duisburg play Lubeck in the first round of DFB Pokal.

SATURDAY

Brad Friedel, Brad Guzan, Eric Lichaj and Aston Villa play Jonathan Spector and West Ham United.

Tim Howard and Everton play Blackburn Rovers.

Marcus Hahnemann and Wolverhampton Wanderers play Stoke City.

Stuart Holden and Bolton Wanderers play Clint Dempsey, Eddie Johnson and Fulham.

Conor Doyle and Derby County play Cardiff City.

Zak Whitbread and Norwich City play Scunthorpe United.

Anton Peterlin and Plymouth Argyle play Frank Simek and Carlisle United.

Dominic Cervi and Celtic play Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Maurice Edu and Rangers play Kilmarnock.

Daniel Williams and SC Freiburg play FC Oberneuland 1948 in the first round of DFB Pokal.

Michael Bradley and Borussia Moenchengladbach play FC Erzgebirge Aue in the first round of DFB Pokal.

Steve Cherundolo and Hannover 96 play SV 07 Elversberg in the first round of DFB Pokal.

Kenny Cooper and TSV 1860 Munich play SC Verl 1924 in the first round of DFB Pokal. (Cooper is out injured.)

Carlos Bocanegra and Saint Etienne play Charlie Davies and Sochaux.

Sacha Kljestan and RSC Anderlecht play Germinal Beerschot.

Michael Parkhurst and FC Nordsjaelland play FC Copenhagen.

Clarence Goodson, Hunter Freeman and IK Start play Rosenborg in the quarterfinals of the NM Cup.

Jose Torres, Herculez Gomez, Marco Vidal and Pachuca play Cruz Azul. (Torres is out injured.)

Edgar Castillo and San Luis play Morelia.

SUNDAY

Mike Grella and Leeds United play Nottingham Forest.

Sonny Guadarrama and Atlante play Puebla.

MONDAY

Jermaine Jones and Schalke 04 play VfR Aalen.

Marcus Tracy, Chris Rolfe and Aalborg BK play FC Midtjylland. (Rolfe is out injured.)

Ryan Miller and Halmstads BK play Atvidabergs FF.

Alejandro Bedoya and Orebro SK play Mjallby.

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How do you see Holden faring against Clint Dempsey and Fulham should he start? Expecting Edu to start against Kilmarnock? What teams with Americans on them do you think will advance to the next round of DFB Pokal?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. How can you say that a majority want him gone? Have you taken a poll from American soccer fans and this is the conclusion you’ve come to. I don’t remember being asked

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  2. I was fixing to type the same thing. It seems he has a better chance of playing than Guzan so why not include him in the listing of Americans Abroad. From what I’ve seen, he’s been pretty impressive in the pre-season

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  3. In 20 years the US will be sending hundreds of American footballers to England and it will be like a plague. Imagine the English’s annoyance at us for keeping their next Rooney out of the starting lineup at his club due to a younger and more direct American striker.

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  4. yeah, I agree. BB sucks. knows nothing about our player pool or the game. probably got the job through nepotism, because he’s Michael’s dad.

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  5. Thanks for this extreme number of rumours, I think it should be clear to USSF that the majority wants Bradley gone.

    Afterall, the rumors have to start somewhere, and starting a rumor like this would be the perfect way to accomplish said agenda.

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  6. I see no mention of Gale Agbossomounde anywhere on Braga’s site or Wikipedia page, included a quick review of youth teams.

    Am I missing something?

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  7. This post is for American Abroad and who they are playing. The next post will be the Weekends TV listings. Don’t forget not all the games mentioned above will be on TV.

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  8. So it would be both convenient and practical for everyone if it was in one simple post.

    And Sentanta is not dead, it still shows games.

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  9. IF BB signs with AV, this will be the biggest move in US Soccer history since Howard heading to Man U. It has huge ramifications. Seriously. Friedel and young Guzan and BB in charge.

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  10. Bellamy is out of City, reportedly for Fulham according to every English paper i’ve read online. Wonder how it could affect Deuce and EJ.

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  11. Where are you getting this information? There is nothing up on ESPN soccernet about this, it must be from a news source such as the Daily Mirror or some other British stir the pot, no news, newspaper.

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  12. Speaking of morons (from your earlier post above) where’d all the morons screaming for Kenny Cooper and his magical Man U trained boots go? gee…BB really missed the boat on taht one.

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  13. William – I was thinking the same thing!

    Franky – From what I read Soccernet is reporting that another site was reporting that….

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  14. Kenny Cooper should try his best to win a spot back with 1860 if not he can always come back to Dallas as a highly paid yet not a DP and play for the next 5 years.

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  15. he did not play last week for Sochaux. which does nothing to calm down the morons who continue to argue that he should have been in South Africa.

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  16. Ives: If Bob Bradley gets the Villa job, are you going to start including him every week on Americans Abroad?

    also: who is this obscure “Kenny Cooper” guy referred to in the article? 😉

    Reply
  17. According to the the FSC web site they’re showing Aston Villa v. West Ham at 10am and Chelsea v. West Brom at 12pm. Why no Bolton v. Fulham!!??!

    Reply

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