By FRANCO PANIZO
FA Cup action resumes this weekend, and with it could come a tasty match-up involving two American midfielders who are both in the midst of strong seasons.
Clint Dempsey and Stuart Holden could square off as Fulham hosts Bolton Wanderers with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line. Both players will not only be looking to further their strong campaigns, but also forget about their club's most recent matches. Dempsey is coming off of missing a potential game-winning, and historic, penalty kick against Chelsea, while Holden did not make Bolton's matchday roster for the FA Cup clash against Wigan Athletic on Wednesday.
It's highly unlikely that we'll see another American duel when Rangers faces Celtic, but Maurice Edu could make his way back into the Blues' starting lineup after coming off the bench last week. Edu and Rangers need a win in the Old Firm derby to help close the gap on first-place Celtic, which employs American keeper Dominic Cervi.
Wondering what other match might be worth watching? Look no further than Carlos Bocanegra and St Etienne's fixture against Marseille. St Etienne is still within striking distance of a spot in Europe, so an upset will be needed if it hopes not to fall out of that picture.
Here is a rundown of who the Americans Abroad play this weekend:
Timothy Chandler and FC Nurnberg play Ricardo Clark and Eintracht Frankfurt. (Clark is out injured.)
Amaechi Igwe, Edson Buddle and FC Ingolstadt 04 play SpVgg Greuther Furth. (Igwe is out injured.)
Bobby Wood and TSV 1860 Munich play FC Augsburg.
Quentin Westberg and Evian Thonon Gaillard play AC Ajaccio.
Sammy Ochoa and Estudiantes Tecos U.A. de G. play Sonny Guadarrama and Atlante.
SATURDAY
Tim Howard and Everton play Chelsea in the FA Cup.
Brad Guzan and Hull City play Ipswich Town.
Mike Grella, Eric Lichaj and Leeds United play Zak Whitbread and Norwich City.
Robbie Findley and Nottingham Forest play Cardiff City. (Findley is out injured.)
Eddie Johnson and Preston North End Queens Park Rangers.
Conor Doyle and Derby County play Scunthorpe United.
Frank Simek and Carlisle United play Swindon Town.
Steve Cherundolo, DaMarcus Beasley and Hannover 96 play Kaiserslautern.
Daniel Williams and SC Freiburg play VfL Wolfsburg. (Williams is out injured.)
David Yelldell and MSV Duisburg FC Union Berlin.
Carlos Bocanegra and St Etienne play Marseille.
Jozy Altidore and Bursaspor play Gaziantepspor.
Jonathan Bornstein and Tigres UANL play Monterrey.
Jose Torres, Herculez Gomez and Pachuca play Chivas de Guadalajara.
SUNDAY
Clint Dempsey and Fulham play Stuart Holden and Bolton Wanderers in the FA Cup.
Marcus Hahnemann and Wolverhampton Wanderers play West Bromwich Albion.
Maurice Edu and Rangers and play Dominic Cervi and Celtic.
Luis Robles and Karlsruhe play FSV Frankfurt.
Oguchi Onyewu and Twente Enschede play NEC Nijmegen.
Freddy Adu and Rizespor play Orduspor. (Adu is out injured.)
Sacha Kljestan and RSC Anderlecht play KVC Westerlo.
Edgar Castillo and Puebla play Chiapas.
MONDAY
Jonathan Spector and West Ham United play Burnley in the FA Cup.
Alfredo Morales and Hertha Berlin play Energie Cottbus.
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Who do see you performing better between Dempsey and Holden? Think Edu will get the nod in the Old Firm? How do you think St. Etienne and Bocanegra will fare against Marseille?
Share your thoughts below.