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.