Photo by Kieran McManus/ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
Things at Fulham are surely not going as well as Clint Dempsey envisioned upon making his return, but he can more than redeem himself this weekend against a high-profile club whose struggles are well documented.
Looking to climb out of the relegation zone and end a four-game losing streak, Dempsey and last-placed Fulham are set to pay a visit to stumbling Manchester United on Sunday. Dempsey has shown a knack in the past for stepping up against top competition, and he will surely aim to do so as the Cottagers try to pick up their seventh win of the season.
Jozy Altidore may not be playing one of the better teams in the Premiership, but he might be given an opportunity to help knock off one of his former clubs. Altidore and Sunderland host Hull City on Saturday, and the Black Cats will be looking to continue their recent run of good form in order to further distance themselves away from the drop zone. Sunderland, like Hull City, are currently two points clear of relegation, so there is all to play for from both sides.
Another interesting match this weekend will take place in Germany, as Timmy Chandler attempts to extend his recent string of solid performances when FC Nurnberg welcome undefeated Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich on Saturday. Chandler and Nurnberg are on a five-match unbeaten run, but will need to be at the top of their games and then some in order to pull off an upset victory against the likes of Arjen Robben and Thomas Muller.
Here is who the Americans Abroad take on this weekend:
FRIDAY
Andrew Wooten and FSV Frankfurt play VfL Bochum.
Jermaine Jones and Besiktas play Gaziantepspor.
Herculez Gomez, Joe Corona, Edgar Castillo, Greg Garza, Paul Arriola and Club Tijuana play Alonso Hernandez and Monterrey.
SATURDAY
Brad Guzan and Aston Villa play Sebastian Lletget and West Ham United.
Cody Cropper and Southampton play Geoff Cameron and Stoke City.
Jozy Altidore and Sunderland play Hull City.
Gboly Ariyibi and Leeds United play Yeovil Town.
Brek Shea and Barnsley play Ipswich Town.
Eric Lichaj and Nottingham Forest play Blackpool.
Tim Ream, Stuart Holden and Bolton Wanderers play AFC Bournemouth. (Holden is out injured.)
Jonathan Spector, Will Packwood and Birmingham City play Charlton Athletic. (Spector is out injured.)
Duane Holmes and Huddersfield Town play Wigan Athletic.
Danny Williams and Reading play Oguchi Onyewu and Sheffield Wednesday.
Timmy Chandler and FC Nurnberg play Bayern Munich.
Fabian Johnson and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim play SC Freiburg.
John Brooks and Hertha Berlin play Hamburg SV.
Aron Johannsson and AZ Alkmaar play Go Ahead Eagles.
Sacha Kljestan and RSC Anderlecht play KV Kortrijk.
Terrence Boyd and Rapid Vienna play Austria Vienna. (Boyd is suspended due to the red card he received in the last league match).
Jose Torres and Tigres UANL play Santos Laguna.
SUNDAY
Brad Friedel and Tottenham Hotspur play Tim Howard and Everton play
Clint Dempsey and Fulham play Manchester United.
Steve Cherundolo and Hannover 96 play Schalke 04.
Alfredo Morales and FC Ingolstadt 04 play Karlsruhe.
Alejandro Bedoya and FC Nantes play Olympique Lyon.
Juan Agudelo and FC Utrecht play RKC Waalwijk.
DaMarcus Beasley, Michael Orozco and Puebla play Chivas de Guadalajara.
Jonathan Bornstein and Atlante play Cruz Azul.
MONDAY
Zak Whitbread and Derby County play Queens Park Rangers.
Bobby Wood and TSV 1860 Munich play Fortuna Dusseldorf.
—–
Which of these matches are you most looking forward to? Do you see Dempsey coming through with a goal against Manchester United this weekend? What is your prediction for Altidore and Sunderland’s clash vs. Hull City?
Share your thoughts below.