AMSTERDAM – Several big early season contests involving Americans are on the weekend card, with Fabian Johnson set to return from injury as Borussia Mönchengladbach shoot for the Bundesliga summit.
All times listed in ET.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Jozy Altidore – Sunderland vs. Stoke City (Saturday, 10 am on Premier League Extra Time)
With Altidore thus far limited to 57 EPL minutes of play and winless Sunderland's other two strikers yet to score in 774 minutes this season, one has to wonder when Gus Poyet will give the American his first start of the season. He opened his account for the campaign in a home cup loss to Stoke a couple weeks back. The Black Cats still hold a decent advantage in the all-time series, but have beaten Stoke just once in their last five overall meetings.
Brad Guzan – Aston Villa vs. Manchester City (saturday, 12:30 pm on NBC/Mun2)
My, how the stingy have fallen; Guzan was darkly forboding in the first four games this season, but leaked three to both Arsenal and Chelsea in Villa's first two defeats of the season. The tasks do not get any easier with champs Citeh headed to town this weekend. Guzan's only win in four tilts against Manchester City came in last year's home clash – he even went so far as to assist on the late winner.
Tim Howard – Everton at Manchester United (Sunday, 7 am on MBCSN/Mun2)
In his 15th game against United, the Everton backstop can break even against his former employers with a victory on Sunday. Howard swept the Red Devils last season with a pair of shutout victories, and has only presided over one loss in the last five meetings. More importantly, it can help the early stumblers climb away from the danger zone. The margin for error may be small, though, with Ross Barkley and Kevin Miralles missing from the Toffees' attack.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
Joe Gyau – Borussia Dortmund vs. Julian Green – Hamburg (Saturday, 9:30 am on MyGermanTV+)
With Green expected back in the selection, this match could feature a battle between USMNT wing stable-mates, even if both will likely start from the bench. Surprisingly, BvB (currently winless in three league games) are off to a rough season start. Winless Hamburg finally scored last week, but still have climbing out of the cellar on their to-do list. Traditionally a pest in Dortmund, HSV have dropped five of the last six there.
Fabian Johnson – Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. Mainz 05 (Sunday, 11:30 am on GolTV)
The Foals informed MLSsoccer.com on Friday afternoon that Johnson is back in the selection after a short bout with a strained Achilles tendon. The US handyman has one assist and a 2-2-1 record in five career Bundesliga games against Mainz. Joining 'Gladbach could improve his luck against them, as the Foals have taken four of the last five tilts at home and haven't lost in six from the overall series.
NORWEGIAN TIPPELIGAEN
Coach Bob Bradley, Andrew Jacobson, Michael Stephens – Stabæk at Bodø/Glimt (Sunday, noon)
Job one for Bradley was always to keep the promoted Blue Ones up in the top flight this season, and a win on Sunday will all but check that box. Both American midfielders should start for the visitors, while Zarek Valentin remains on the mend for Bodø/Glimt. The home side have yet to beat a Bradley-led Stabæk in three tries, but have won four of the last six home meetings between the two clubs.
BEST OF THE REST
Germany:
Timothy Chandler – Eintracht Frankfurt vs. FC Cologne, Sat. 12:30 pm on GolTV
France:
Alejandro Bedoya – Nantes at Guingamp, Sun. 11 am
Netherlands:
Rubio Rubin – FC Utrecht vs. Go Ahead Eagles (Saturday, 2:45 pm)
Belgium:
Sacha Kljestan – Anderlecht vs. Genk, Sun. noon
Austria:
Conor O'Brien – Wiener Neustadt at Red Bull Salzburg, Sun. 1 pm
Serbia:
Freddy Adu – FK Jagodina vs. Borac Cacak, Sat. 9 am
