Photo by Tony Quinn/ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
Danny Williams showed just how good he could be as a defensive midfielder for the U.S. men's national team in its victory over Jamaica on Tuesday, and now he could get a chance to prove his worth for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in the stadium he used to call home.
Hoffenheim visits Williams' former club, SC Freiburg, on Sunday in MAGE SOLAR Stadion, and the American midfielder could see time if head coach Markus Babbel feels he is able to contribute following his 90-minute performance in the U.S.'s 1-0 win over Jamaica on Tuesday. Williams has made just one appearance for Hoffenheim this season, so a strong outing could go a long way in helping him solidify his place in the lineup.
There is also an intriguing match-up in the Premier League on Saturday. Geoff Cameron, Maurice Edu and Stoke City will battle reigning champions Manchester City in a game that the Potters will be hard-pressed to earn their first victory of the Premiership campaign.
This weekend could also bring the debuts of a handful of Americans. From Clint Dempsey with Tottenham to Carlos Bocanegra with Racing Santander to Joe Gyau with St. Pauli, several players could earn their first appearances with clubs they joined at the end of the winter transfer window.
Here is who the Americans Abroad play this weekend:
FRIDAY
Jose Torres and Pachuca play Morelia.
SATURDAY
Brad Guzan, Eric Lichaj and Aston Villa play Swansea City.
Geoff Cameron, Maurice Edu and Stoke City play Manchester City.
Tim Ream, Stuart Holden and Bolton Wanderers play Watford. (Holden is out injured.)
Conor Doyle and Derby County play Huddersfield Town.
Robbie Findley and Nottingham Forest play Jonathan Spector, Will Packwood and Birmingham City.
Frank Simek and Carlisle United play Swindon Town.
Mike Grella and Scunthorpe United play Shrewsbury Town.
Robbie Rogers and Stevenage play Crewe Alexandra.
Oguchi Onyewu and Malaga play Levante.
Carlos Bocanegra and Racing Santander play Recreativo Huelva.
David Yelldell and Bayer Leverkusen play Borussia Dortmund.
Timmy Chandler and FC Nurnberg play Borussia Moenchengladbach.
Steve Cherundolo and Hannover 96 play Werder Bremen.
Jermaine Jones and Schalke 04 play SpVgg Greuther Furth.
Andrew Wooten and SV Sandhausen play Dynamo Dresden.
Sacha Kljestan and RSC Anderlecht play Llerse SK.
Terrence Boyd and Rapid Vienna play FC Trenkwalder Admira.
Conor O'Brien and SonderjyskE play Silkeborg IF.
Michael Parkhurst and FC Nordsjaelland play FC Copenhagen.
Alejandro Bedoya and Helsingborgs IF play GIF Sundsvall.
Josh Gatt and Molde FK play Haugesund.
Ventura Alvarado and Club America play Herculez Gomez and Santos Laguna.
Jonathan Bornstein and Tigres UANL play Cruz Azul.
SUNDAY
Clint Dempsey, Brad Friedel and Tottenham Hotspur play Reading.
Zak Whitbread and Leicester City play Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Michael Bradley and AS Roma play Bologna.
Fabian Johnson, Danny Williams and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim play SC Freiburg.
Alfredo Morales, John Anthony Brooks and Hertha Berlin play Aalen.
Jozy Altidore and AZ Alkmaar play Roda JC Kerkrade.
Eugene Starikov and FK Rostov play Dinamo Moscow.
Charlie Davies and Randers FC play Aalborg BK.
Clarence Goodson and Brondby IF play AC Horsens.
Brian Span and Djurgardens IF play AIK.
Steve Clark and Honefoss BK play Viking.
Sean Cunningham and Stabaek IF play Odd Grenland.
Mix Diskerud and Rosenborg BK play Chad Barrett and Valerenga.
DaMarcus Beasley and Puebla play Monterrey.
Michael Orozco Fiscal and San Luis play Pumas UNAM.
Joe Corona, Edgar Castillo, Greg Garza and Club Tijuana play Atlante.
MONDAY
Tim Howard and Everton play Newcastle United.
Joe Gyau and St Pauli play FC Cologne.
————
Which of these games are you most looking forward to? Expecting Williams to see time for Hoffenheim? How do you see Cameron, Edu and Stoke faring against Man City? Which American is most likely to make his debut with his new club this weekend?
Share your thoughts below.