By FRANCO PANIZO
If Oguchi Onyewu wants to show U.S. men's national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann he is ready for World Cup qualifying, this weekend likely provides the American centerback his best opportunity to return to Sporting CP's lineup.
With the Portuguese club having played in the Europa League semifinals on Thursday, Onyewu could get his first start since February when Sporting takes on CD Nacional de Madeira on Sunday. The short turnaround may benefit Onyewu, who is looking to return to the field for the first time since suffering a knee injury in the club's 1-0 win over Pacos de Ferreira on February 19.
Another American who is hoping to impress Klinsmann in order to earn a spot on this summer's World Cup qualifying roster is Sacha Kljestan. The former Chivas USA midfielder has a vital match on Sunday, as he and RSC Anderlecht take on Club Brugge in the Pro League playoffs. Only one point seperates the two clubs, so a result is needed if Anderlecht are to remain in first place in the standings.
Wondering what other match is worth keeping an eye on? Look no further than the battle of Mexican-Americans when San Luis and Club Tijuana battle in a match that could solidify the latter's playoff spot. The game should pit Edgar Castillo and Joe Corona against Michael Orozco Fiscal, making it a game with plenty of interest for American fans.
Here is who the Americans Abroad face this weekend:
Samuel Petrone and Mjallby AIF play Djurgarden IF.
Sonny Guadarrama and Atlante play Morelia.
SATURDAY
Brad Guzan, Eric Lichaj and Aston Villa play Sunderland.
Adam Henley and Blackburn Rovers play Zak Whitbread and Norwich City.
Stuart Holden, Tim Ream and Bolton Wanderers play Swansea City. (Holden is out injured.)
Clint Dempsey and Fulham play Wigan Athletic.
Brad Friedel and Tottenham Hotspur play Queens Park Rangers.
Robbie Rogers and Leeds United play Cardiff City. (Rogers is out injured.)
Jonathan Spector and Birmingham City play Brighton. (Spector is out injured.)
Robbie Findley and Nottingham Forest play Hull City.
Conor Doyle and Derby County play Portsmouth. (Doyle is out injured.)
Mike Grella and Bury play Notts County.
Anton Peterlin and Walsall play Exeter City.
Frank Simek and Carlisle United play Sheffield Wednesday.
Maurice Edu, Alejandro Bedoya, Carlos Bocanegra and Rangers play Heart of Midlothian.
Michael Bradley and Chievo Verona play Udinese.
Alfredo Morales and Hertha Berlin play Andrew Wooten and Kaiserslautern.
Timmy Chandler and FC Nurnberg play Hamburg SV.
Fabian Johnson, Danny Williams, Joe Gyau and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim play David Yelldell and Bayer Leverkusen.
Terrence Boyd and Borussia Dortmund play Borussia Moenchengladbach.
Bobby Wood and TSV 1860 Munich play FC Ingolstadt 04.
Quentin Westberg and Evian Thonon Gaillard play Toulouse.
Eugene Starikov and Zenit St Petersburg play Kuban Krasnodar.
Mix Diskerud and KAA Gent play KV Kortrijk in the Belgian playoffs.
Michael Parkhurst and FC Nordsjaelland play Aalborg BK.
Michael Orozco Fiscal and San Luis play Joe Corona, Edgar Castillo, Greg Garza and Club Tijuana.
Herculez Gomez and Santos Laguna play Jonathan Bornstein and Tigres UANL.
Jose Torres and Pachuca play Monterrey.
SUNDAY
Tim Howard, Marcus Hahnemann and Everton play Manchester United.
Dominic Cervi and Celtic play Motherwell.
Jermaine Jones and Schalke 04 play FC Augsburg.
Steve Cherundolo and Hannover 96 play SC Freiburg.
Villyan Bijev and Fortuna Dusseldorf play FC Union Berlin.
Luis Robles and Karlsruher SC play Matt Taylor and SC Paderborn 07.
Charlie Davies and Sochaux play Paris Saint-Germain.
Jozy Altidore and AZ Alkmaar play VVV Venlo.
Oguchi Onyewu and Sporting CP play CD Nacional de Madeira.
Sacha Kljestan and RSC Anderlecht play Club Brugge in the Belgian playoffs.
Conor O'Brien and SonderjyskE play Brad Rusin and HB Koge.
Clarence Goodson and Brondby IF play FC Midtjylland.
Ricardo Clark, Sean Cunningham and Stabaek IF play Sandnes Ulf.
Steve Clark and Honefoss BK play Aalesund.
Adrian Ruelas and Jaguares de Chiapas play Pumas UNAM.
DaMarcus Beasley and Puebla play Club America.
MONDAY
Josh Gatt and Molde FK play Lillestrom.
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Which matches are you most looking forward to? Think Onyewu will make his return to Sporting CP's lineup this weekend? Do you see Kljestan and Anderlecht defeating Club Brugge? Who do you think will win between San Luis and Tijuana?
Share your thoughts below.