By FRANCO PANIZO
Aron Johannssonn went on an absolute tear during the first half of the Eredivisie season, finding the back of the net in bunches and almost always proving to be a threat against opposing defenses.
Now, he will look to do more of the same.
Johannsson and AZ Alkmaar return from their winter break and kick off the remainder of their campaign on Saturday with a home game against NAC Breda, and the U.S. Men’s National Team striker will surely be aiming to add to his 11 goals in league play (18 in all competitions). The Cheese Farmers could use a victory so as to get back into the Europa League picture, as they currently sit nine points back of fourth-placed Feyenoord.
Clint Dempsey and Fulham will also be looking to move up their respective league’s table, but have a more daunting task ahead of them. The relegation-threatened Cottagers will go on the road to take on Premiership leaders Arsenal, and will need a strong performance from Dempsey and the rest of their players in order to have a chance at picking up a result.
Wondering what other matches are worth keeping an eye on? Look no further than Sheffield Wednesday’s tilt vs. Burnley on Saturday, as it could mark Oguchi Onyewu’s debut for the Owls, or Alejando Bedoya and FC Nantes’ Sunday clash against star-studded Paris Saint-Germain.
Here is who the Americans Abroad play this weekend:
FRIDAY
Jose Torres and Tigres UANL play Morelia.
DaMarcus Beasley, Michael Orozco and Puebla play Santos Laguna.
SATURDAY
Jozy Altidore and Sunderland play Cody Cropper and Southampton.
Clint Dempsey and Fulham play Arsenal.
Geoff Cameron, Maurice Edu and Stoke City play Crystal Palace.
Sebastian Lletget and West Ham United play Newcastle United.
Brad Guzan and Aston Villa play Liverpool.
Gboly Ariyibi and Leeds United play Leicester City.
Brek Shea and Barnsley play Blackpool.
Jonathan Spector and Birmingham City play Yeovil Town. (Spector is out injured.)
Oguchi Onyewu and Sheffield Wednesday play Burnley.
Zak Whitbread and Derby County play Brighton & Hove Albion.
Eric Lichaj and Nottingham Forest play Blackburn Rovers.
Duane Holmes and Huddersfield Town play Queens Park Rangers.
Danny Williams and Reading play Tim Ream, Stuart Holden and Bolton Wanderers. (Holden is out injured.)
Aron Johannsson and AZ Alkmaar play NAC Breda.
Alonso Hernandez and Monterrey play Queretaro.
Herculez Gomez, Joe Corona, Edgar Castillo, Greg Garza, Paul Arriola and Club Tijuana play Pachuca.
Jonathan Bornstein and Atlante play Atlas.
SUNDAY
Brad Friedel and Tottenham Hotspur play Swansea City.
Alejandro Bedoya and FC Nantes play Paris Saint-Germain.
Sacha Kljestan and RSC Anderlecht play KV Mechelen.
MONDAY
Tim Howard and Everton play West Bromwich Albion.
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Which of these matches are you most looking forward to? Think Johannsson gets off to a hot start in the second half of the Eredivisie season? How do you see Dempsey and Fulham faring vs. Arsenal?
Share your thoughts below.