AMSTERDAM – Several Americans will take part in key European clashes this weekend, with both Julian Green and Brek Shea chasing loan debuts.
All times listed in ET.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Jozy Altidore – Sunderland vs. Tottenham (Saturday, 10 am on Premier League Extra Time)
The US striker is aiming for his first start of the season and his first league goal in 23 games. Meanwhile, the Black Cats are after their first win against a Spurs side that is 6-0-2 in the EPL series since Sunderland's last win in 2010.
Brad Guzan – Aston Villa at Liverpool (Saturday, 12:30 pm on NBC/Mun2)
The former Chivas USA goalkeeper looks to defend his unbeaten record at Anfield Road, where he's posted a draw and a win in the previous two seasons. That is especially the case given that the Villans are 2-1-4 in the last seven league trips to Liverpool (with Brad Friedel authoring the other win).
Tim Howard – Everton at West Bromwich Albion (Saturday, 10 am on Premier League Extra Time)
Howard & Co. are winless through three rounds for the second straight season. Of course, last year they broke the duck in game four on the way to winning five of six. The World Cup 2014 star is 2-2-1 in five games at the Hawthorns. Howard and Everton's margins for error at the back are slim with Ross Barkley, Samuel Eto'o, Arouna Koné and top gun Romelu Lukaku all on the mend.
ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP
Brek Shea, Jonathan Spector – Birmingham City vs. Leeds United (Saturday, 7:15 am on beIN Sports/beIN Sports Connect)
Brums boss Lee Clark has already told reporters he has a mind to immediately send loan catch Shea onto the field this weekend. One can never be completely sure where Spector will start on a given day, but it's mostly been at right back recently. Fresh off their first victory of the season, Birmingham will seek revenge on a Leeds team that won at St. Andrews last season.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
Julian Green – Hamburg at Hannover 96 (Sunday, 11:30 am on GolTV)
All American eyes will be on HSV, with loan winger Green in for a starting debut as the visitors travel missing both left-siders and skipper Rafael van der Vaart from an offense still waiting on its first goal of the young season. The short trip to Hannover has not been kind of late to Hamburg, who are winless there since 2007.
Fabian Johnson – Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. Schalke (Saturday, 12:30 pm on GolTV)
Whether a recent Berti Vogts blast had anything to do with it or not, Johnson is expected to hold down right back for 'Gladbach when they welcome nearby rivals Schalke. The US ace has a goal in six career Bundesliga games against the Miners. The Foals have won six of the last seven home meetings between the two.
FRENCH LIGUE 1
Alejandro Bedoya – Nantes at Lille (Sunday, 7:45 am on beIN Sports Connect)
The playmaker, still after his first goal or assist of the season, will likely keep his No. 10 place for this early table-jockeying showdown. A winner here could move level on points with early leaders Bordeaux. Bedoya has never faced Lille, who have shut Nantes out five straight times in league play.
BEST OF THE REST
Germany:
John Brooks – Hertha Berlin vs. Mainz 05, Sat. 9:30 am on MyGermanTV+
Timmy Chandler – Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Augsburg, Sun. 9:30 am on GolTV
Netherlands:
Rubio Rubin – FC Utrecht vs. ADO Den Haag, Sun. 6:30 am
Belgium:
Sacha Kljestan – Anderlecht at Lierse, Sat. noon
Austria:
Conor O'Brien – Wiener Neustadt vs. Rapid Vienna, Sat. 12:30 pm
Norway:
Coach Bob Bradley, Andrew Jacobson, Michael Stephens – Stabæk at Start, Sun. noon
