The UEFA Europa League group stage kicks off Thursday afternoon with all 48 teams across 12 groups getting their campaigns underway, and a few Americans have a stake in the day's action.
Sacha Kljestan has reportedly been nursing an ankle knock, and it's unclear whether he'll be included in the squad for RSC Anderlecht's Group G opener with Zenit St. Petersburg.
Freddy Adu isn't on the gameday roster for Aris Salonika, a team that might have the tallest mountain to climb on Thursday, as it faces defending champion Atletico Madrid in its Group B debut.
Over in Group D, Jozy Altidore is in the starting lineup as Villarreal squares off with Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb.
If you will be watching any or all of Thursday's games either on GOLTV, DirecTV or via Internet feed, feel free to make this your spot to share any thoughts, opinions and play-by-play throughout the day. Enjoy the action (TV/time schedule after the jump):
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE GROUP STAGE DAY 1 (All times ET)
1 p.m.
GROUP A
- Juventus vs. Lech Poznan, GOLTV
- SV Salzburg vs. Manchester City, DirecTV 482
GROUP B
- Aris Salonika vs. Atletico Madrid, DirecTV 481
- Bayer Leverkusen vs. Rosenborg, DirecTV 486
GROUP C
- Levski Sofia vs. KAA Gent
- Lille vs. Sporting Lisbon, DirecTV 484
GROUP D
- Club Brugge vs. PAOK Salonika
- Dinamo Zagreb vs. Villarreal, DirecTV 483
GROUP E
- AZ Alkmaar vs. Sheriff Tiraspol, DirecTV 488
- Dynamo Kiev vs. BATE Borisov
GROUP F
- Lausanne Sports vs. CSKA Moscow, DirecTV 485
- Sparta Prague vs. Palermo, DirecTV 487
3 p.m.
GROUP G
- AEK Athens vs. Hajduk Split
- Anderlecht vs. Zenit St. Petersburg, DirecTV 484
GROUP H
- Getafe vs. Odense BK, DirecTV 487
- VfB Stuttgart vs. BSC Young Boys, DirecTV 488
GROUP I
- Debrecen vs. FC Metalist Kharkiv
- PSV Eindhoven vs. Sampdoria, DirecTV 482
GROUP J
- Sevilla vs. Paris-St. Germain, GOLTV
- Karpaty Lviv vs. Borussia Dortmund, DirecTV 483
GROUP K
- Liverpool vs. Steaua Bucuresti, DirecTV 481
- Napoli vs. Utrecht, DirecTV 486
GROUP L
- Besiktas vs. CSKA Sofia
- FC Porto vs. Rapid Vienna, DirecTV 485
Aden, like I said you are a hater, every board needs one, as I find it more refreshing then all those fans that put certain people on pedestals like they can do no wrong. You have to look at football as a team game first. If the entire team looks less then impressive, you can’t fault one single player. Thatsaid does Altidore need to improve, yes he does. He should as Villarreal is a great team to grow on. Like I have said before, let him develop one or two years then we can talk.
One can cheer and criticize; however, the next step for Jozy won’t be suddenly lighting up La Liga but regularly scoring against CONCACAF opponents, like in the Gold Cup, as someone pointed out, though not with the far-fetched suggestion of hat-tricks. I don’t think we can put any pressure on him, because what are we to him besides anonymous fools on the series of tubes? Nothing on here will “cut his morale.”
Seems like Jozy’s overall effort has improved. Last year, there were lots of stories of Jozy’s laziness. Now, he is getting minutes with a team that has a lot of talent up front. That says something.
Being the #4 striker on a Europa league team this year would be good enough at this stage. If they do sell Rossi, we’ll see if he moves up the ranks. Either way, he’s getting minutes and great training. That’s good.
No one questions Gale Boss sitting on the sidelines with SB because he’s learning and getting great training. He’s less than 2 years younger than Jozy (I think!). Jozy’s accomplished more before 21 than any other American. Let’s let the next 2 years play out and then start worrying about Jozy.
No service, but then again JOzy made it easy for the defense. He stood still most of the gameo
Overall though let’s not put too much pressure on him. We know he stinks at times or he could have scored in the WC and we have every right to criticize him, but let’s not cut his morale. Let’s cheer for him.
We all want Jozy to succeed. He has the talent and skill to become the greatest American striker but of course he will have lots of adversity along the way. He’s the first US outfield player to play in La Liga and for a top5 club, no less. He has to fight day in and day out for even making the bench. He could have scored today or many others but he will make up for it. I believe in the guy. He’s only 20 but so far he;s had 1 full season in the EPL, played at the Olympics, started in the Confed Cup, played in the WC.
He will succeed. Even if he turns out like McBride that won’t be bad. McBride had decent stats for an aging striker. Jozy has age on his side so he should do swell. Look at him to blow up at the next Gold Cup. Hat tricks galore.
Let’s go Reds
I’m not talking about the rest of the team, sorry.
I don’t want him to fail. But he makes it very difficult to like him with all of the poor showings and choices he makes.
He’s developed the same “lazy” title that Adu was given. And I think that American fans think he is much better than he actually is.
Personally, I think he is digressing.
I don’t question that he needs to improve. My thought is that you seem to want him to fail so you can make a point. I could be reading that wrong though.
Either way I do hope he continues to get time and improve on the ball. I only care about the NT and as he is our best forward option I’d love it if he succeeds at the club level as well.
I simply don’t believe he’s very skilled. It has been a common thought in the Spanish press that Jozy lacks the skills.
You are consistent at the very least, I’ll give you that.
so overall, not bad from Jozy, considering Villareal got absolutely DOMINATED in this game. (surprisingly) But he has to do better in the box when it comes to finshing; same old story i know. he is great in the open field, but there was at least one chance i saw (see comment at 2:28pm) where an average striker would’ve been able to have a better touch to himself and finish. he’s still got a ways to go…let’s just hope his club is patient enough with him.
+1 trendspotter
Jozy just forced a corner
Aden is a hater bro…. let the man hate.
I’m no defender of Altidore, but Villareal does look terrible. No service on set pieces (limited) nor during run of play and shaky in the back.
I don’t what game you have been watching, but ALL of Villarreal has looked HORRIBLE and while he is not rising above the rest, he is not receiving anything in the way of service.
Rossi looks horrible.
I’m not sure what game you guys are watching, but Jozy has been playing poorly in my opinion.
He doesn’t appear to have the skill to compete.
Wow Villarreal looks super shaky at the back
Adu when he was at RSL never impressed me that much. I always thought his attitude and ego were a bit to big for someone who hadn’t shown much on the field. It didn’t help that the press continued to sing his praises. With that being said, I hope he finds his groove and enjoys his football and his life.
oops: Villarreal has used all 3 subs. So Jozy will stay.
Jozy has a had a pretty good day overall…some good moments…alwys room for improvement, but a nice day none-the-less…
Senna sent off, probably the end for Jozy
I hope Freddy has invested his earnings well. Can’t see his future being all that bright.
decent turn there from Altidore, a better touch on that turn and he has a SOG
Ives — Freddy isn’t even on Aris’ European roster.
Gustavo Ruelas a U.S. U-20 player from California who is under the employ of Santos Laguna. Or he was under their employ as he’s now been picked up by Celtic on loan.
Yeah, he’s looked fine, but not spectacular. Has dropped back and linked up well a couple times, but is a bit stagnant up front, as most of the team is.
Jozy has had some good touches and some shaky ones. Villarreal, as a whole, has looked pretty bad. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him yanked in the 2nd half, sadly.
Altidore has looked okay…not a real high wire game by either team…
No….it’s diving. I’ve criticized Jozy for diving in the past, as have others. Can’t argue that it doesn’t help the team, but it’s just not honorable.
Kind of like the Suarez/Scholes handballs on the line.
so how has Jozy been doing? and why must they play some matches so late. I wish they started all CL and EL matches at 1pm eastern
Working fine for me…on all channels
If an American does it then it’s called “drawing Fouls”
So is this the official “feel free to post your live commentary as you watch” section? haha. If so…DAMN JOZY…your diving may drive some American fans crazy, but I think its brilliant. It draws fouls, and more American players need to embrace diving. screw American NFL culture! (and yes, i’m a dallas cowboys fan.)
He had one in a friendly a while ago — Cani with the assist.
Did he not put one in against Fenerbache as well? He’s done decent with his chances thus far. Trial by fire I suppose.
That was a scrub team, and his appearance in the last Europa match wasn’t good.
Directv is showing no programming on channels 480+. WTF?!
greattt news come on jozy show them what you got!!!!
Great news for Jozy. He’s been doing quite well in his limited appearances for Villareal. I believe he scored twice in his last game, albeit it was a friendly game.