By FRANCO PANIZO
If you are a U.S. Men’s National Team fan hoping to catch a glimpse of the latest dual national willing to represent the United States internationally, this weekend might provide you with just that.
Aron Johannsson and AZ Alkmaar are set to kick off their new Eredivisie campaign on Saturday, as they pay a visit to SC Heerenveen. Johannsson – who filed his one-time switch to FIFA earlier this week to play for the U.S. instead of Iceland – is being counted on to help make up for the loss of Jozy Altidore’s 31 goals from last season and a strong performance vs. Heerenveen would instill some confidence that the 22-year-old Johansson can do just that.
Another American looking to get off to a good start is midfielder Danny Williams, who could make his Reading debut on Saturday when the club hosts Ipswich Town in their season opener. Williams will surely be aiming for a start and a solid shift for the Royals in order to try and earn a call-up for the U.S.’s upcoming friendly against Bosnia on Aug. 14.
With Schalke 04 scheduled to partake in DFB Pokal on Monday, Jermaine Jones is also likely to be in action. Jones and Schalke travel to take on fifth division side FC Nottingen in their first test of the season, and they will need to put in a concentrated effort in order to avoid the type of David-vs.-Goliath upsets that are common at the start of the European season.
Here is who the Americans Abroad take on this weekend:
FRIDAY
Bobby Wood and TSV 1860 Munich play Heidenheimer SB in the first round of DFB Pokal.
Michael Parkhurst and FC Augsburg play RB Leipzig in the first round of DFB Pokal.
Sacha Kljestan and RSC Anderlect play Cercle Brugge.
SATURDAY
Tim Ream, Stuart Holden and Bolton Wanderers play Burnley. (Holden is out injured.)
Jonathan Spector, Will Packwood and Birmingham City play Watford. (Spector and Packwood are out injured.)
Zak Whitbread and Leicester City play Middlesbrough.
Eric Lichaj and Nottingham Forest play Huddersfield Town.
Danny Williams and Reading play Ipswich Town.
Andrew Wooten and Kaiserslautern play Neckarsulmer Sport-Union in the first round of DFB Pokal.
Fabian Johnson, Joe Gyau and TSG Hoffenheim play SG Aumund-Vegesack in the first round of DFB Pokal.
Alfredo Morales and FC Ingolstadt 04 play Sportfreunde Baumberg in the first round of DFB Pokal.
Aron Johannsson and AZ Alkmaar play Heerenveen.
Eugene Starikov and FK Tom’ Tomsk play Ural.
Conor O’Brien and FC Nordsjaelland play AGF Aarhus.
Josh Gatt and Molde FK play Brann. (Gatt is out injured.)
Alonso Hernandez and Monterrey play Toluca.
Herculez Gomez, Joe Corona, Edgar Castillo, Greg Garza, Paul Arriola and Club Tijuana play Morelia. (Gomez is out injured.)
DaMarcus Beasley, Michael Orozco and Puebla play Jaguares de Chiapas.
SUNDAY
Steve Cherundolo and Hannover 96 play Victoria Hamburg in the first round of DFB Pokal. (Cherundolo is out injured)
John Anthony Brooks and Hertha Berlin play VfR Neumunster in the first round of DFB Pokal.
Timmy Chandler and FC Nurnberg play SV Sandhausen in the first round of DFB Pokal.
Charlie Davies and Randers FC play FC Copenhagen.
Terrence Boyd and Rapid Vienna play Sturm Graz.
Mix Diskerud and Rosenborg BK play Sogndal.
Steve Clark and Honefoss BK play Aalesund.
Jose Torres, Jonathan Bornstein and Tigres UANL play Pumas UNAM.
MONDAY
Jermaine Jones and Schalke 04 play FC Nottingen in the first round of DFB Pokal.
Brian Span and Djurgarden IF play Helsingborg IF.
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Which of these matches are you most looking forward to? Do you think Johannsson finds the back of the net vs. Heerenveen? Counting on Williams to make his Reading debut?
Share your thoughts below.