AMSTERDAM – It's another heavy weekend schedule for Americans in Europe, highlighted by Michael Bradley's expected league debut with esteemed new employers AS Roma.
All times listed in ET.
ITALIAN SERIE A
AS Roma v Catania (Sunday, 10:45 a.m. ET)
American: Michael Bradley (Roma) - The US midfielder is slated to partner Daniele De Rossi in central midfield on his league debut for the Giallorossi.
Bradley will try to help Roma reverse an ugly trend turn that has seen them fail to win in three straight season openers at home. Until a 2-2 Stadio Olimpico draw with Catania last season, they had beaten the Sicilians seven straight times there by a 20-5 tally.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Aston Villa v Everton (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, on Fox Soccer 2Go)
Americans: Brad Guzan, Eric Lichaj (AV), Tim Howard (EVE) - The home side duo will probably have good dugout seats to watch the US netminder trod the line against one of his least favorite opponents.
Howard has yet to win as a Toffee in six tries at Villa, and the Birmigham side have scored at least twice in seven of the last 11 meetings overall. The two sides have drawn in six of their last seven clashes.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
Hannover 96 v Schalke (Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET on GolTV)
Americans: Steve Cherundolo (H96), Jermaine Jones (S04) - While the former has already taken part in Europa League play (including an assist on Thursday), Jones and the Miners will be making their campaign bow for the Miners in this Bundesliga opener.
Both are expected to start in this showdown between teams located just 130 miles apart. The two have evenly split the last six meetings in Hannover (2-2-2). Each side will be missing a key cog in attack with Mame Biram Diouf out for the hosts and Jose Jurado unavailable for Schalke.
DUTCH EREDIVISIE
AZ Alkmaar v Heerenveen (Sunday, 6:30 a.m. ET)
American: Jozy Altidore (AZ) - The Eredivisie's top scorer thus far will try to get back to bell-ringing after the Cheese Farmers were shut out in Europa League play on Thursday. Altidore has four in two games this term, and five in his last four home games.
The American also scored three times in two matches against Heerenveen last season, including a brace in the 3-3 AFAS-Stadion draw. The Frisians have traditionally fared pretty well at AZ, but have won just once in the last nine there.
NORWEGIAN TIPPELIGAEN
Molde FK v Vålerenga
Americans: Josh Gatt (Molde), Chad Barrett (VIF) - The young speedster was successful in his midweek injury return, so he should retain a place on right wing as the champs try to regain the summit against a team that has given them all sorts of trouble at Aker Stadion over the years.
After notching his first Tippeligaen assist in last week's win, Barrett should hold his place up top for Vålerenga. The Pride of Oslo have won four of the last six at Molde, despite falling there – in part thanks to a Gatt goal – last season.
BEST OF THE REST
England:Tottenham (Brad Friedel) v West Bromwich Albion - Sat. 10 a.m. ET on Fox Soccer Plus/Fox Soccer 2Go
Germany:
Hamburg v FC Nurnberg (Timothy Chandler) - Sat. 9:30 a.m.
Borussia Monchengladbach v Hoffenheim (Jospeh Gyau, Fabian Johnson, Daniel Williams) - Sat. 9:30 a.m. ET
Belgium:OH Leuven v Anderlecht (Sacha Kljestan) - Sat. noon ET
Denmark:
Randers FC (Charlie Davies) v FC Copenhagen - Sat. 11 a.m. ET
Brøndby (Clarence Goodson) v Esbjerg - Sun. 1 p.m. ET
Austria:
RZ Pellets WAC v Rapid Vienna (Terrence Boyd) - Sun. 10 a.m.
Norway:
Hønefoss (Steve Clark) v Tromsø - Sun. noon
Rosenborg (Mikkel Diskerud) v Viking - Sun. 1 p.m.
Sweden:
Djurgården (Brian Span) v Helsingborg (Alejandro Bedoya) - Sat. 10 a.m.
Scotland (Third Division):
Berwick v Rangers (Carlos Bocanegra) - Sun. 7 a.m.
