Jurgen Klinsmann might be taking a closer look at fullbacks these days, and two European-based ones could really help their causes with some strong performances this weekend.
Timmy Chandler made his way back from injury as a substitute in Eintracht Frankfurt’s 5-1 loss to Borussia Moenchengladbach last Saturday, and is now hoping to break back into his side’s lineup. Frankfurt faces Hannover on the road on Saturday, and Chandler could be reintroduced as a starter given that the Eagles have not won in five consecutive Bundesliga games. Chandler has not gotten the nod since suffering a knee injury on Aug. 29, but will be keen on putting an end to that streak while trying to get into a rhythm for the remainder of the campaign.
Eric Lichaj has already found his stride, and is aiming to build on his goal-scoring performance from Tuesday. Lichaj netted his first goal for Nottingham Forest in a 1-1 draw with Burnley, and his focus has shifted towards trying to edge Ipswich Town on Saturday. Lichaj and the rest of the Reds are in sore need of a win, too, as they have not won any of their last five games.
There will be an intriguing showdown of U.S. Men’s National Team players elsewhere in England on Saturday. Tim Ream and Danny Williams will square off when Fulham welcomes Reading to to Craven Cottage in one of the Championship’s earlier games during this round of action. Ream and Fulham might be the hosts, but still have a tough task given that they face an in-form Reading side that is in third place and on a five-match unbeaten run.
Here is who the Americans Abroad lock horns with this weekend:
FRIDAY
Terrence Boyd and RB Leipzig play Fortuna Dusseldorf. (Boyd is out injured.)
Alejandro Bedoya and FC Nantes play Caen.
Rubio Rubin and FC Utrecht play PEC Zwolle. (Rubin is out injured.)
Rhett Bernstein, Erik Hurtado and Mjondalen IF play IK Start.
Joe Corona and Veracruz play Toluca.
SATURDAY
Brad Guzan and Aston Villa play Swansea City.
Geoff Cameron and Stoke City play Watford.
Tim Howard and Everton play Arsenal.
Tim Ream, Emerson Hyndman and Fulham play Danny Williams, Andrija Novakovich and Reading.
Jonathan Spector and Birmingham City play Hull City.
Eric Lichaj and Nottingham Forest play Ipswich Town.
Cody Cropper and Milton Keynes Dons play Queens Park Rangers. (Cropper is out injured.)
Timmy Chandler and Eintracht Frankfurt play Hannover 96.
Aron Johannsson and Werder Bremen play Mainz. (Johannsson is out injured.)
Alfredo Morales and FC Ingolstadt 04 play John Brooks and Hertha Berlin.
Bobby Wood and FC Union Berlin play SC Paderborn 07.
Ventura Alvarado and Club America play Jonathan Bornstein and Queretaro.
Edgar Castillo and Monterrey play Michael Orozco, Paul Arriola, Alejandro Guido and Club Tijuana.
Greg Garza and Atlas play Chivas de Guadalajara. (Garza is out injured.)
Jose Torres and Tigres UANL play Dorados de Sinaloa.
SUNDAY
DeAndre Yedlin, Lynden Gooch and Sunderland play Newcastle United.
Gedion Zelalem and Rangers play St Mirren.
Fabian Johnson and Borussia Moenchengladbach play Schalke 04.
Andrew Wooten and SV Sandhausen play Arminia Bielefeld.
Caleb Stanko and SC Freiburg play St Pauli.
Desevio Payne and FC Groningen play NEC Nijmegen.
Gabriel Farfan and Jaguares de Chiapas play Pumas UNAM.
Miguel Ibarra, William Yarbrough and Club Leon play Puebla.
Ethan Horvath and Molde FK play Aalesund.
Zarek Valentin, Danny Cruz and FK Bodo/Glimt play Lillestrom.
A.J. Soares and Viking FK play Cole Grossman and Stabaek IF.
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Which of these matches are you most looking forward to? Think Chandler will start for Eintracht Frankfurt? How do you see Lichaj doing? Should Klinsmann call both up to the U.S. Men’s National Team for next month’s initial World Cup qualifiers?
Share your thoughts below.