Photo by Matt West/ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
It has not been the easiest of starts for Jozy Altidore at Sunderland, but he still might have a chance to end the calendar year on a positive note.
With the Blacks Cats facing an extremely short turnaround after having played on Thursday, Altidore could be in store for a start when the club returns to action in Saturday’s battle with fellow strugglers Cardiff City. Altidore and Sunderland are fresh off a surprise 1-0 win and will be riding a wave of confidence as they travel to Cardiff for their final game of 2013.
Geoff Cameron and Stoke City are also taking to the road this weekend, as they visit Tottenham on Sunday. Cameron is coming off a 90-minute showing for a nine-man Potters side that was thrashed by Newcastle United, but still seems likely to be counted on against the Spurs given his regularity in Stoke’s lineup and the consistency of his performances.
Another defender who should be in action is Tim Ream. The Bolton Wanderers centerback has been flying under the radar in recent weeks and months, but has pieced together a solid first half of the season for the Trotters. Ream has started and gone the distance in 17 consecutive games for Bolton and he should extend that streak on Sunday against Leicester City.
Here is who the Americans Abroad face this weekend:
SATURDAY
Brad Guzan and Aston Villa play Swansea City.
Jozy Altidore and Sunderland play Cardiff City.
SUNDAY
Tim Howard and Everton play Cody Cropper and Southampton. (Howard is suspended.)
Brad Friedel and Tottenham Hotspur play Geoff Cameron, Maurice Edu, Brek Shea and Stoke City.
Zak Whitbread and Derby County play Barnsley.
Jonathan Spector and Birmingham City play Blackburn Rovers. (Spector is out injured.)
Duane Holmes and Huddersfield Town play Yeovil Town.
Tim Ream, Stuart Holden and Bolton Wanderers play Leicester City. (Holden is out injured.)
Danny Williams and Reading play Middlesbrough.
Eric Lichaj and Nottingham Forest play Leeds United.
Oguchi Onyewu and Queens Park Rangers play Watford.
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Which of these matches are you most looking forward to? Think Altidore is in line for a start? What do you think of Ream’s first-half of the season for Bolton?
Share your thoughts below.