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.
He has started for Fulham in the past. It was fairly painful to watch. The commentators were not very impressed.
Hopefully he will be able to show more quality if he makes it back on the pitch for them in an EPL match.
Yeah, according to wikipedia: “On January 7, 2010, he moved to Sporting Braga of the Portuguese Liga on a six-month loan that includes an option to buy.”