American Exports preview: DaMarcus' debut?
Winger DaMarcus Beasley just participated in his third World Cup for the US National Team.
AMSTERDAM – Europe is back to club fare from an international hiatus, placing Americans directly in some hot league soups across the continent this weekend. Time is precious on a Friday, so let's get straight to setting your soccer menu. All times are ET.
BUNDESLIGA
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. Eintracht Frankfurt
Saturday, 9:30 a.m. on Dish German Sports
Americans: Michael Bradley ('Gladbach), Ricardo Clark (EF)
The hosts haven't started off a Bundesliga season unbeaten in the first three since 1997, but they can do just that with a result against Eintracht this weekend. Bradley will anchor the Foals middle as usual, but this time with a new partner. Thorben Marx is out, meaning greenhorn Roman Neustädter may start, while strikers Igor de Camargo and Karim Matmour remain on the mend for 'Gladbach. Clark, meanwhile, is awaiting his season debut for the visitors, who have dropped their opening two games.
Hannover 96 vs. Bayer Leverkusen
Saturday, 9:30 a.m. on Dish German Sports
Americans: DaMarcus Beasley, Steve Cherundolo (H96)
Having impressed in a pair of friendlies, Beasley could dress in search of his Bundesliga debut for a Reds outfit with a surprising 100 percent record. Cherundolo, meanwhile, will don the armband at right back, which is customary. The talented visitors have lost just one of nine at Hannover and will arrive in a foul mood after leaking six goals to 'Gladbach at home two weeks ago. The hosts are still without midfielders Altin Lala and Leon Andreasen, while Leverkusen must do without key men Tranquillo Barnetta and Simon Rolfes.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Everton vs. Manchester United [inline_node:316528]
Saturday, 7:45 a.m. on Fox Soccer Plus
American: Tim Howard (EVE)
After backstopping the Toffees to a 3-1 home win over his former employers last season, Howard welcomes United back to Goodison with the Merseysiders desperate for a first win. Sir Alex Ferguson will hope to get defender Rio Ferdinand back in action and for former Everton boy Wayne Rooney to handle the stick he's set to get after scandalous reports surfaced this week about his extracurricular activities. In addition, the visitors have lost midfielder Michael Carrick to injury. The news isn't quite so difficult for the home side, but they are sans another former Man. United player, top gun Louis Saha.
Fulham vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
Saturday, 10 a.m.
Americans: Clint Dempsey (FUL), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolves)
Though no headline match, this tilt is more than a little intriguing. Dempsey & Co. are home at the Cottage, still looking for their first win under new boss Mark Hughes. Regular starting 'keeper Mark Schwarzer is expected to make his season debut, but fresh catch Carlos Salcido (visa delay) and wing ace Damien Duff (injury) are unavailable. Wolves, who have yet to lose this term, are crossing their fingers over target man Steven Fletcher and defender Jelle Van Damme. The Saturday guests have battled Fulham to scoreless draws on their last two visits and haven't tasted top flight defeat in this series since 1967.
SWEDISH ALLSVENSKAN
Djurgårdens vs. Örebro [inline_node:303720]
Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
American: Alejandro Bedoya (ÖSK)
This
game is a big opportunity for starting attacker Bedoya and his
teammates – but it comes attached to one of their least favorite road
trips. Örebro have lost five and drawn one in their last six away dances
with the 11-time Swedish champs, to a combined tune of 18-2. The timing
of this tilt could be better; previously waffling, Djurgårdens have
suddenly sprung into the top half of the standings with a three-game winning
streak. Still, ÖSK eyes should be wide standing four points clear in
the league's final European table slot and eight shy of the leaders.
Best of the rest:
EPL: Arsenal vs. Bolton (Stuart Holden) – Sat. 10 a.m. on FSC
EPL: West Ham United (Jonathan Spector) vs. Chelsea – Sat. 10 a.m. on ESPN2
Tippeligaen: Lillestrøm vs. IK Start (Hunter Freeman, Clarence Goodson) – Sun. noon.
