By FRANCO PANIZO
Four Americans and their clubs are eyeing a place in next season's Champions League, and winning their matches this weekend could prove vital in their hunt to reach that competition.
Hannover 96 is just three points shy of third place in the Bundesliga standings, and the Champions League qualifying spot that comes with it. Having served a one-game suspension for an ejection, Steve Cherundolo will likely return to Hannover's starting lineup when the club hosts SC Freiburg, while DaMarcus Beasley will be hoping to see the field for just the fourth time this season.
Stuart Holden and Bolton Wanderers are also three points short of a Champions League qualifying spot, but their chances of getting there this weekend are higher. Bolton faces Blackpool, which currently sits in the bottom half of the Premiership.
Here is a rundown of who the Americans Abroad play this weekend:
FRIDAY
Quentin Westberg and Evian Thonon Gaillard play Grenoble.
SATURDAY
Frank Simek, Mike Grella and Carlisle United play Tamworth in the FA Cup.
Brad Friedel, Brad Guzan, Eric Lichaj and Aston Villa play Arsenal.
Clint Dempsey, Eddie Johnson and Fulham play Birmingham City.
Stuart Holden and Bolton Wanderers play Blackpool.
Tim Howard and Everton play West Bromwich Albion.
Jonathan Spector and West Ham United play Wigan Athletic.
Marcus Hahnemann and Wolverhampton Wanderers play Sunderland.
Conor Doyle and Derby County play Burnley.
Dominic Cervi and Celtic play Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Jozy Altidore and Villarreal play Real Zaragoza.
Oguchi Onyewu and AC Milan play Sampdoria.
Ricardo Clark and Eintracht Frankfurt play Bayern Munich.
Steve Cherundolo, DaMarcus Beasley and Hannover 96 play Daniel Williams and SC Freiburg.
Jermaine Jones and Schalke 04 play Kaiserslautern.
Michael Bradley and Borussia Moenchengladbach play Borussia Dortmund.
David Yeldell and MSV Duisburg play Hertha Berlin.
Carlos Bocanegra and St Etienne play AS Nancy Lorraine.
Sacha Kljestan and RSC Anderlecht play Royal Charleroi SC.
SUNDAY
Zak Whitbread and Norwich City play Ipswich Town. (Whitbread is out injured.)
Maurice Edu and Rangers play Dundee United. (Edu is out injured.)
Amaechi Igwe and FC Ingolstadt 04 play FC Union Berlin. (Igwe is out injured.)
Luis Robles and Karlsruhe play RW Oberhausen.
Charlie Davies and Sochaux play Caen.
Michael Parkhurst and FC Nordsjaelland play Sonderjyske.
MONDAY
Kenny Cooper and TSV 1860 Munich play SpVgg Greuther Furth. (Cooper is out injured.)
Marcus Tracy, Chris Rolfe and Aalborg BK play AC Horsens. (Tracy and Rolfe are out injured.)
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How do you see Cherundolo faring this weekend? Do you think Beasley will make a cameo off the bench? Expecting Holden and Bolton to win again? Think Altidore will get some playing time? Do you see all clubs staying in the hunt for a Champions League spot throughout the season?
Share your thoughts below,