By FRANCO PANIZO
Playing time has been hard to come by this season for Jonathan Spector, but after his Carling Cup heroics, he might just see the field for West Ham for a second straight game.
Spector made a strong case for more minutes with his brace in the 4-0 win over Manchester United in the quarterfinals of the Carling Cup on Wednesday, and that performance could bear fruit when the Hammers visit Sunderland. Whether he'd resume his usual right back role or continue to see time as a defensive midfielder is uncertain, but at the very least, Spector's showing against his former club should see him make the bench.
Also looking to build off his recent goal-scoring performance, Clint Dempsey will aim to help end Fulham's flirtation with relegation when the Cottagers take on third-place Arsenal. Dempsey has five goals in the Premiership campaign, and one against Arsenal would bring him within one of his career-high with more than half a season to play.
One player looking to prevent goals rather than score them will be David Yeldell, whose five clean sheets have helped MSV Duisburg to second place in 2. Bundesliga. Yeldell and Duisburg battle FSV Frankfurt on Friday.
Here is a rundown of who the Americans Abroad play this weekend:
FRIDAY
David Yeldell and MSV Duisburg play FSV Frankfurt.
Quentin Westberg and Evian Thonon Gaillard's game against Stade Laval has been postponed.
SATURDAY
Clint Dempsey, Eddie Johnson and Fulham play Arsenal.
Marcus Hahnemann and Wolverhampton Wanderers play Blackburn Rovers.
Tim Howard and Everton play Chelsea.
Stuart Holden and Bolton Wanderers play Manchester City.
Conor Doyle and Derby County play Zak Whitbread and Norwich City. (Whitbread is out injured.)
Frank Simek, Mike Grella and Carlisle United play Leyton Orient.
Jemal Johnson and Milton Keynes Dons play Anton Peterlin and Plymouth Argyle.
Oguchi Onyewu and AC Milan play Brescia.
Michael Bradley and Borussia Moenchengladbach play Steve Cherundolo, DaMarcus Beasley and Hannover 96.
Ricardo Clark and Eintracht Frankfurt play Mainz.
Daniel Williams and SC Freiburg play Hamburg SV.
Jermaine Jones and Schalke 04 play Bayern Munich.
Charlie Davies and Sochaux play Valenciennes.
Marcus Tracy, Chris Rolfe and Aalborg BK play Odense BK. (Tracy and Rolfe are out injured.)
SUNDAY
Jonathan Spector and West Ham United play Sunderland.
Jozy Altidore and Villarreal play Sevilla FC.
Amaechi Igwe and FC Ingolstadt 04 play FC Erzgebirge Aue. (Igwe is out injured.)
Luis Robles and Karlsruhe play Fortuna Dusseldorf.
Kenny Cooper and TSV 1860 Munich play Hertha Berlin. (Cooper is out injured.)
Carlos Bocanegra and St Etienne play Bordeaux.
Sacha Kljestan and RSC Anderlecht play Zulte-Waregem.
Michael Parkhurst and FC Nordsjaelland play AC Horsens.
MONDAY
Brad Friedel, Brad Guzan, Eric Lichaj and Aston Villa play Liverpool.
—————-
Do you think Spector deserves to start against Sunderland? At what position should he play if he does see the field? How will Dempsey and Fulham fare against third-place Arsenal? Starting to think Yeldell deserves a call-up to the U.S. national team?
Share your thoughts below,