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Dempsey to face Donovan, racism revisited after FA Cup fourth round draw

Landon donovan getty

By JOHN BOSCHINI

Headlines in England following the draw for the fourth round of the FA Cup will be centered on the Liverpool vs. Manchester United battle and a possible QPR vs. Chelsea meeting, as rematches of racism-marred Premier League games take center stage. For American fans, though, there's a much more tasty fixture to be found.

Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and Everton will welcome red-hot Clint Dempsey and Fulham to Goodison Park, marking the first time that all three will have shared a field since the CONCACAF Gold Cup final. Donovan has impressed in the early stages of his second loan deal, while Dempsey continues his tear following a hat trick in Fulham's third-round victory.

Manchester United will take on Liverpool as one of the most intense rivalries in all of Europe writes a new, touchy chapter. Tensions between the two camps have risen dramatically following Liverpool's fierce defense of Luis Suarez after the striker was banned eight games for racially abusing Patrice Evra. Suarez will miss the game due to the suspension, but there is likely to be a heated atmosphere at Anfield regardless.

Racism will also be front and center should QPR advance from its third-round replay to face Chelsea in the fourth round. John Terry was criminally charged with racially abusing Anton Ferdinand in the two side's league fixture back in October, and he has his court date set for just days after the would-be rematch.

There could be as many as six games between Premier League sides should Arsenal beat Leeds in Monday's final third-round game and Bolton and QPR advance from their third-round replays. The full draw is after the jump:

FA CUP FOURTH ROUND DRAW (all games played on the weekend of Jan. 28)

Arsenal/Leeds vs. Aston Villa

Blackpool vs. Sheffield Wednesday

Brighton/Wrexham vs. Newcastle United

Dagenham & Redbridge/Milwall vs. Southampton

Derby County vs. Stoke City

Everton vs. Fulham

Hull City vs. Crawley Town

Liverpool vs. Manchester United

Macclesfield Town/Bolton vs. Swansea City

Milton Keynes Dons/Queens Park Rangers vs. Chelsea

Nottingham Forest/Leicester vs. Swindon Town

Sheffield United vs. Birmingham/Wolverhampton Wanderers

Stevenage vs. Notts County

Sunderland vs. Middlesborough

Watford vs. Tottenham Hotspur

West Brom vs. Norwich City

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What do you think of the draw? Excited to see Dempsey go up against Donovan? What do you make of the Liverpool-Man U and potential QPR-Chelsea meetings?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Yes. Cause they’d rather have Liverpool and United in the fourth round than say, the Semis. It’s amazing. When United draws a minnow, the fix must be in. When they draw a big four, the fix must be in. Strange chap, that Sir Alex.

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  2. I hope it’s 3-3 tie with Dempsey scoring two and Donovan one. Then if Tim Howard and Everton win in pk’s that would be awesome. (But Dempsey should make his pk though)

    I was just dreaming there for a bit…..

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  3. Indeed, hopefully FSC comes through. When was the last time Donovan/Dempsey played against each other? MLS more than 5 years ago, obviously, but I’m curious to know how many times it’s happened.

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  4. First Man City and now Liverpool and it’s not even the quarterfinals. Manchester United with such cake walk draws…it will be a minor miracle if they win this years FA Cup. Still have Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea if they get past Liverpool.

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  5. Does the FA think that putting a picture of ping-pong balls on its front webpage is convincing anybody that these matchups were drawn randomly rather than hand selected??

    I mean, just RANDDOMLY Liverpool draws ManU? And Chelsea draws QPR? And the Americans play each other? And Arsenal draws Villa? Meanwhile something called Stevenage is playing Notts County, and something called Dagenham & Redbridge would play Southampton, all completely RANDOMLY? Riiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

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