By FRANCO PANIZO
When Jozy Altidore steps onto the field for AZ Alkmaar this weekend, he will be looking to do more than just help the club grab its second win in its last five games.
He will also be aiming to score for the first time in Eredivisie in more than a month.
Though he has delivered a pair of game-winning assists during the same time frame and scored twice in Thursday’s cup game, Altidore has not found the back of the net in a league match since Sept. 30. He will try to end that dry spell and add to his eight league goals when AZ host VVV Venlo on Sunday. AZ could use a big, goal-scoring performance from Altidore, as they currently sit in 10th place in the league table with 12 points earned from 10 games.
Joe Gyau is another player who will be aiming to have a strong outing. The former U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team winger, who started and went the distance in St Pauli’s DFB Pokal tilt on Wednesday, could further make a case for himself to be a staple in the club’s starting lineup should he make another good impression with a big game against TSV 1860 Munich on Saturday.
Wondering what other match might be worth watching this weekend? Look no further than Schalke’s game against TSG Hoffenheim, which should pit Jermaine Jones and Danny Williams against one another in what may be the best midfield battle involving Americans Abroad this season.
Here is who the Americans Abroad will play this weekend:
FRIDAY
Alfredo Morales, John Anthony Brooks and Hertha Berlin play FC Ingolstadt 04.
Andrew Wooten and SV Sandhausen play TSV Eintracht Braunschweig.
Eugene Starikov and FK Rostov play Zenit St Petersburg.
Herculez Gomez, Benji Joya and Santos Laguna play Cruz Azul.
SATURDAY
Tim Howard and Everton play Fulham.
Geoff Cameron, Maurice Edu and Stoke City play Norwich City.
Brad Guzan, Eric Lichaj and Aston Villa play Sunderland.
Clint Dempsey, Brad Friedel and Tottenham Hotspur play Wigan Athletic.
Jonathan Spector, Will Packwood and Birmingham City play Ipswich Town.
Conor Doyle and Derby County play Blackpool.
Zak Whitbread and Leicester City play Watford.
Tim Ream, Stuart Holden and Bolton Wanderers play Cardiff City. (Holden is out injured.)
Frank Simek and Carlisle United play Ebbsfleet United in the FA Cup.
Mike Grella and Scunthorpe United play Gillingham in the FA Cup
Robbie Rogers and Stevenage play Rotherham United in the FA Cup.
Oguchi Onyewu and Malaga play Rayo Vallecano.
Carlos Bocanegra and Racing Santander play AD Alcorcon.
Steve Cherundolo and Hannover 96 play FC Augsburg.
Timmy Chandler and FC Nurnberg play VfL Wolfsburg.
Fabian Johnson, Danny Williams and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim play Jermaine Jones and Schalke 04.
Joe Gyau and St Pauli play TSV 1860 Munich.
Sacha Kljestan and RSC Anderlecht play KV Mechelen.
Terrence Boyd and Rapid Vienna play SK Sturm Graz.
Conor O’Brien and SonderjyskE play Michael Parkhurst and FC Nordsjaelland.
Josh Gatt and Molde FK play Tromso.
Ventura Alvarado and Club America play Jose Torres and Pachuca.
Jonathan Bornstein and Tigres UANL play Monterrey.
Joe Corona, Edgar Castillo, Greg Garza and Club Tijuana play Michael Orozco Fiscal and San Luis.
SUNDAY
Michael Bradley and AS Roma play Palermo.
David Yelldell and Bayer Leverkusen play Fortuna Dusseldorf.
Jozy Altidore and AZ Alkmaar play VVV Venlo.
Tony Taylor and Estoril Praia play Academica de Coimbra.
Caleb Patterson-Sewell and Vitoria Setubal play Sporting CP.
Charlie Davies and Randers FC play AC Horsens.
Clarence Goodson and Brondby IF play Odense BK.
Alejandro Bedoya and Helsingborgs IF play Gefle IF.
Brian Span and Djurgardens IF play IFK.
Sean Cunningham and Stabaek IF play Lillestrom. (Cunningham is out injured.)
Steve Clark and Honefoss BK play Sandnes Ulf
Mix Diskerud and Rosenborg BK play Stromsgodset.
DaMarcus Beasley and Puebla play Atlas.
MONDAY
Chad Barrett and Valerenga play Sogndal.
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Which of these games are you most looking forward to? Do you see Altidore scoring this weekend? Think Gyau will start? Who will win the midfield battle between Williams and Jones?
Share your thoughts below.