By Jared Launius
Happy weekend, everyone. Here's some of what I'll be watching for from Yanks abroad this weekend.
England
Clint Dempsey and Fulham have stumbled out the Premier League gates, failing to get the full three points out of any of their first four matches. It's going to take a near perfect showing to end that run this weekend, as Manchester City, owner of the maximum 12 points and a +12 goal differential, brings its suddenly forceful attack to Craven Cottage. Both sides played midweek fixtures in European competition – City drew Napoli 1-1 in Manchester and Fulham produced a 1-1 effort of its own at home against Dutch club Twente. Can Dempsey play hero at home against the league leaders?
Elsewhere, Stuart Holden is nearing his return to the Bolton lineup after spending the last five months recovering from a nasty knee injury. Could he dress this weekend? Brian Straus is reporting Tuesday is more likely, but I'll certainly be watching to see if Holden makes a cameo at home against Norwich Saturday. U.S. international Zak Whitbread is still out for Norwich with a hamstring injury.
While Holden tries to complete his comeback, Tim Howard will continue to man the posts for his depleted Everton side that is heading into its second fixture without the departed Mikel Arteta, Yakubu and Jermaine Beckford. Is a long season developing for Timmy and his Toffees? Big one this weekend, with beatable Wigan coming to Goodison.
And, fresh off his shutout last week, Brad Friedel and Tottenham face a stiff test in a resurgent Liverpool side looking very dangerous with Suarez, Downing and company.
Germany
The biggest U.S. soccer news this week, without question, is the rumored courtship of Timmy Chandler by the German national team. Former U.S. international and Nurnberg player Tony Sanneh tweeted German coach Joachim Löwe was in Nurnberg to scout Chandler. You can read the full write-up over at Soccer By Ives. At any rate, if Jogi really is in Nurnberg to watch Chandler, do we root for a poor performance against Werder Bremen? I jest, I juest. I think. (UPDATE: And, of course, as I publish all this, Chandler's agent denies it all.)
Speaking of German-Americans, Danny Williams will look for more playing time this weekend as Hoffenheim hosts Wolfsburg. Hoffenheim teammate and fellow German-American Fabian Johnson is out four weeks with a neck injury.
Meanwhile, Steve Cherundolo – who apparently featured at left back for his side's midweek Europa match – and Hannover host defending German champions Borussia Dortmund at AWD-Arena Sunday. After having to track mercurial winger Eden Hazard in the U.S.-Belgium match two weeks ago, Cherundolo will have his hands full with another U-21 dynamo this weekend in Dortmund's Mario Götze. Viel glück, Steve.
Italy
Michael Bradley made the match-day squad in his new club's opener, but, much like his time at Aston Villa, wasn't able to find the field. I'm not sure much of anybody expected Bradley to walk straight into a starting role at Chievo after minding bench duty since last December, but he certainly needs to find some minutes soon. I have a feeling he'll debut with his new club this tomorrow in Parma.
The Netherlands
Another week, another chance to talk about a Jozy Altidore goal. AZ Alkmaar's 17 shirt scored an absolute gem and logged another 90 minutes in his side's dominant 4-1 Europa League win Thursday over Sweedish side Malmo. It'll be a quick turnaround for AZ, who take on newly promoted RKC Waalwijk Sunday. Altidore's next league goal will mean more league goals with AZ than his previous four European clubs combined.
Scotland
Carlos Bocanegra and Alejandro Bedoya will get their first taste of perhaps the world's most unruly sports rivalry Sunday when Celtic come to Ibrox for part 1 of this season's Old Firm. As if the natural tensions between the two sides weren't going to be enough, Cetic has bragging rights for still being alive in European play – Rangers was eliminated in the Europa playoffs while Celtic is still chugging along. Can Bedoya, Bocanegra and Old Firm vet Maurice Edu keep their side in first place against their rivals?
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Here's some other things to watch this weekend.
Los Gringos: Jose Torres and Pachuca host Chiapas tomorrow. Isaac Acuña and Edgar Castillo travel to Chiapas. Michael Orozco and San Luiz host Santos Laguna. Beasley and Puebla head to Guadalajara to take on Chivas.
A Gooch siting: Oguchi Onyewu is starting to see the field for Sporting Lisbon. Can the two-time World Cup vet gain Klinsmann's favor? Can he pass yet?
Battle for first: Sacha Kljestan travel to first-place side Gent, trailing them in the Jupiler League table by only two points.
Showme watcha Gatt: I'm sorry about that. Anyway, winger Josh Gatt and his club, Molde, are at the top of the Norwegian Tippeligian table by six points with just eight matches to play. They take on relegation-threatened Fredrikstad tomorrow. Elsewhere in Norway, Mix Diskerud and Stabaek take on Odd Grenland Sunday. That's an awesome team name.
Enjoy the proceedings!
