AMSTERDAM – Several Americans will turn into European road warriors this weekend, with in-form midfielder Daniel Williams aiming to help steer Reading past FA Cup round-of-16 hosts Derby County.
All times listed in ET.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
John Anthony Brooks – Hertha Berlin vs. Freiburg (Sunday, 9:30 am on GolTV)
Though Johnny Heitinga and Sebastian Langenkamp will likely be ruled fit for selection, Brooks is just as likely to keep his place after a star show in Hertha's big win last weekend. The American has faced Freiburg twice, with both games ending in draws. It's no shock: The teams have shared points four of the last five times. More surprising is the fact that the capital crew have beaten Freiburg on just one of their last eight visits.
Timothy Chandler
– Eintracht Frankfurt at Schalke 04 (Saturday, 12:30 on GolTV)
Frankfurt enter this one winless in six, but they've managed to stay in ninth place by drawing four of those games. Chandler & Co. also happen to be unbeaten in four at home and in the last three Schalke meetings there. The US right back has one goal and a 2-3-3 record in eight career games against Schalke. This time, the American will face a Miners attack missing aces Julian Draxler, Jefferson Farfán and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
ENGLISH FA CUP
Brad Guzan – Aston Villa v. Leicester City (Sunday, 7:30 am on Fox Sports 1/Fox Soccer 2Go)
Shay Given has been Villa's cup goalie until now, but that was under axed manager Paul Lambert. With Scott Marshall and goalkeeping coach Andy Marshall in charge, and a place in the quarterfinals up for grabs, Guzan might get the call. He's already split this season's EPL series with Leicester and the Villans haven't reached the last eight of the FA Cup since he took them there in 2010. Villa have dropped only one of the last eight home games against Sunday's visitors.
Daniel Williams – Reading at Derby County (Saturday, 10 am on Fox Soccer Plus/Fox Soccer 2Go)
Williams will get his first crack at the Rams, who will start play with but one loss in their last 11 overall games. Reading did not enjoy this matchup in 2014, notching zero goals and one point in three meetings. Don't shed all hope, though, because the Royals have five victories from their last seven trips to Pride Park.
AUSTRIAN BUNDESLIGA
Conor O'Brien – Wiener Neustadt vs. Red Bull Salzburg (Saturday, 12:30 pm)
The New York native will likely start in midfield when the Blue-and-Whites wake from their winter slumber to tackle the league-leading holders. The team currently sits bottom, but went 2-2-1 prior to the break to pull within four points of the safety zone. The Red Bulls have taken the last nine meetings by a combined 44-4 margin and have not lost to O'Brien's employers since 2011, a 17-game span.
BEST OF THE REST
England (FA Cup):
Geoff Cameron – Stoke City at Blackburn, Sat. 10 am on Fox Sports 2/Fox Soccer 2Go
Germany
:
Fabian Johnson
– Borussia Mönchengladbach at FC Cologne, Sat. 9:30 am
France:
Alejandro Bedoya – Nantes vs. Bastia, Sat. 2 pm
Netherlands:
Rubio Rubin – FC Utrecht vs. Dordrecht, Sun. 8:30 am
