Photo by ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
Terrence Boyd may have just received his first taste of Europa League action, but he is about to get a first-hand account of one of Austria's biggest rivalries.
Rapid Vienna host Austria Vienna in this season's first Vienna derby on Sunday, and Boyd is likely to see just how intense matches between two of the Austrian Bundesliga's top teams can be. Boyd is coming off a 90-minute performance in Thursday's 2-1 Europa League loss at Serbian club FK Vojvodina, so there is a possibility that he is forced to come off the bench for this crucial league game.
Two fellow German-Americans whose team is in action are Alfredo Morales and John Anthony Brooks, as Hertha Berlin kick off their season in the 2. Bundesliga in Germany. Morales is not in the lineup for the club's match against SC Paderborn 07 on Friday, but Brooks, a towering centerback, is making his professional debut in the season opener, as Hertha start their quest to return to Germany's top flight with three points at home.
If you're hoping to see an intriguing Americans Abroad match-up this weekend, look no further than Santos Laguna's home match against Puebla. The Friday night game will pit Santos striker Herculez Gomez against Puebla winger DaMarcus Beasley, and both veterans are capable of causing havoc on the opposing team's defense, making this early-season clash one to watch.
Here is who the Americans Abroad take on this weekend:
FRIDAY
Alfredo Morales, John Anthony Brooks and Hertha Berlin play SC Paderborn 07.
Herculez Gomez and Santos Laguna play DaMarcus Beasley and Puebla.
Joe Corona, Edgar Castillo, Greg Garza and Club Tijuana play Pumas UNAM.
Michael Orozco Fiscal and San Luis play Morelia.
SATURDAY
Eugene Starikov and Zenit St. Petersburg play CSKA Moscow.
Sacha Kljestan and RSC Anderlecht play Koninklijke Beerschot AC.
Michael Parkhurst and Nordsjaelland play Aalborg BK.
Jose Torres and Pachuca play Queretaro. (Torres is suspended due to the red card he received last weekend).
Jonathan Bornstein and Tigres UANL play Atlas.
SUNDAY
Terrence Boyd and Rapid Vienna play Austria Vienna.
Charlie Davies and Randers FC play FC Midtjylland.
Clarence Goodson and Brondby IF play AGF Aarhus.
Steve Clark and Honefoss BK play Stromsgodset.
Josh Gatt and Molde FK play Sogndal.
Sonny Guadarrama and Atlante play Ventura Alvarado and Club America.
MONDAY
Andrew Wooten and Kaiserslautern play FC Union Berlin.
Conor O'Brien and Sonderjyske play AC Horsens.
Brian Span and Djurgardens IF play GIF Sundsvall.
Mix Diskerud, Sean Cunningham and Stabaek IF play Brann.
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Which of these games are you looking most forward to? Expecting Boyd and Rapid Vienna to come out on top of Austria Vienna this weekend? Do you see Morales and Hertha Berlin getting promoted back into the Bundesliga this season?
Share your thoughts below.
I watched portions of the Berlin-Paderborn match and 19-year-old 6‘5“ John Anthony Brooks was a stud as left central defender. His passes out of the back into the central midfield were sharp and crisp with pinpoint accuracy and he is fast and a great tackler. He was a revelation. If this was not a one-off fluke and he improves further, he could be a possibility for the USMNT even as soon as WC 2014. Unfortunately, he is playing for Hertha Berlin, which sadly is one of the least likable teams in Germany filled with quite a few jerks and with awful front office management. That said, the new coach seems to be the real deal and if management will keep their incompetence from interfering with him things could change.
He said he isn’t going to force the issue. And that Löw hasn’t called him yet
I guess that would depend on the team in France. St. Pauli would offer him the chance to live in one of the nicest cities in Europe–Hamburg, speaking of which, a news report that Hamburg SV also is looking for a central defender (and also a Number 10 offensive middlefielder). Hamburg, although one of the biggest clubs in Europe, is having financial difficulties and looking for deals and, in my mind, an experienced defender like Bocanegra on a free transfer would be a steal.
http://www.mopo.de/hsv/spielmacher—verteidiger-gesucht-hsv-sportchef-arnesen-weiss-nicht–wann-die-neuen-kommen,5067038,16797906.html
if this is true, so much for him to always leaned to play for the USA, like his interviews with Y.A. We all suspected this was the course of his actions.
Hopefully JAB will become a consistent starter for his club and a legitimate option for us at CB…sooner rather than later.
I don’t think the Germans will waste the time with him, as I don’t think he is in their plans. He clearly isn’t going to declare himself for Germany without knowing whether they want him. So I think he will end up with us sooner or later.
I’ve a feeling Chandler will go for Germany. I doubt he’d ever be a starter with them, but whatever.
people get on Rossi’s case but he never jerked us around. From age 12 he went to Parma and was committed to Italy.
Keep waiting Timmy. Just embrace the USMNT, your not getting a sniff of the German bench
New coach poached some players from his old club..they got the start over Morales today. Unfortunate.
I think its been twittered that the 12th is the date…the players and teams invovled will certainly know before that. So more than likely we will have a fairly complete roster before than
Just used Google Translate to read an article about Timothy Chandler from the Nuremberg newspaper’s website. Looks like he is trying to keep the possibility open through non-committal statements and that it will all come down to Löw.
I wonder whether he’ll report to our camp if he doesn’t hear from the German federation. Hopefully we’ll see both Chandler and Lichaj in US shirts this fall.
That’s only three days before the match. I’m not saying it’s impossible, but a lot of the players will have to travel across the Atlantic…
supposedly he has some interest in the French league so no need to drop down a division
Football is on the way 😀 2 more weeks until the PL starts back. Thanks Jesus
Boyd to score this weekend.
I think Bradley, Boyd, Edu and Bocanegra shouldn’t be called in. The first 2 just joined their club and need to find their rythmn especially Bradley. The latter 2 will be looking for a new club and need to be focused
Care to describe?
So Brooks gets the start for Hertha Berlin but no Morales in the starting XI or subs bench? What gives?
If you are just going for visual effect then Brooks and Goodson make a nice contrast to Adu and Torres.
Don’r forget Rimando in goal just for the startling contrast.
Just be sure these guys are staggered properly when walking out of the tunnel.
*will be
I wonder if Gomez be involved with the Santos Laguna vs Real Madrid friendly Sunday in Las Vegas….
Not until the 12th…FFS.
Wow, anyone see the end of the Rapid game? Horrible football.
St. Pauli looks to be among the strongest teams in the 2. Bundesliga after finishing fourth this past season tied on points with Dusseldorf who had a better goal advantage. But will be a major battle with Berlin, Cologne, Kaiserslautern, Padeborn and others to land one of the top two automatic 1. Bundesliga spots or the third play-off spot. St. Pauli fired their sport director in May and poached SpVgg Greuther Fürth’s sporting director. The guy is a total pro and has done a great job strengthening the team over the summer. Would love to see an American move to St. Pauli. They still need a central defender and that might be something Carlos Bocanegra should consider. St. Pauli would be massive step up from the Scottish 4th division with the chance of playing next year in the 1. Bundesliga.
Andrew Wooten and Kaiserslautern open their season on Monday.
I hope Brooks starts. Dude is immense(ly) tall
In the next 5 days to a week would be my guess.
Any guesses on when JK will announce his call-ups?
Boyd and Altidore. Altidore and Boyd. I like the sound of the latter
St. Pauli has signed a lot of young talent on loan and is primed for promotion back into the bundesliga.