AMSTERDAM – Several Americans will work key contests across the pond this weekend, with both Brad Guzan and Tim Howard slated to stare down Premier League opponents they typically dominate.
All times listed in ET.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Geoff Cameron – Stoke City at West Bromwich Albion (Saturday, 11 am on Premier League Extra Time)
With skipper Ryan Shawcross just back from a couple months out and Philipp Wollscheid in doubt, Cameron could be drafted into defense. The American has an assist to go with a fine-looking 3-0-1 record against the Baggies. While the Potters will arrive on a three-game win streak, they have also won five straight out of a seven-game unbeaten run at West Brom. If the visitors needed any other good omens, top WBA scorer Saido Berahino is facing a late fitness test.
Brad Guzan – Aston Villa at Sunderland (Saturday, 11 am on Premier League Extra Time)
Now that the American has halted an 11-match win drought and backstopped Villa out of the drop zone, he can aim to start the team's first win streak since early December against one of his favorite foes. Guzan is 4-0-2 with five career clean sheets against the Black Cats, and will start the match with a 327-minute shutout streak in the series. That run may well be extended, as struggling Sunderland are winless in six overall games, with but two goals scored in that span.
Tim Howard – Everton vs. Newcastle United (Sunday, noon on Premier League Extra Time)
Fresh off posting an opening-leg victory in the Europa League Round of 16, Howard will try to halt a five-game slide against one of his favorite opponents. Howard is 10-3-5 lifetime against the Magpies, and 4-0-1 in their last five clashes. Newcastle, meanwhile, have won just once in their last 11 visits to Goodison Park. Everton remain without Leighton Baines, while Newcastle have a lengthy injury list slightly alleviated by the suspension return of Cheick Tiote.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
John Anthony Brooks
– Hertha Berlin vs. Schalke (Saturday, 10:30 am on MyGermanTV+)
Brooks & Co. have an active 196-minute shutout streak and a new address in the safety zone, but now must deal with a club boogeyman. Hertha have dropped seven straight series meetings by a combined 15-1 tally and haven't beaten the Miners in 12. They haven't even scored on Schalke – the team that just gave Real Madrid a Champions League scare on the road – for 425 minutes. It could help this time that the visitors will be without attack aces Julian Draxler and Jefferson Farfan.
SWEDISH SVENSKA CUPEN
Heath Pearce – IFK Göteborg vs. Matt Pyzdrowski – Helsingborg (Saturday, 11 am)
The two newest American exports to Sweden's top flight will meet in a big preseason tilt, the cup quarterfinal. Having started off unbeaten in his first three HIF games, Pyzdrowski is a lock to be in goal for the guests. Pearce likely will start, as well, but it remains to be seen if he turns up at left back or in the middle of defense. The home side raised their sixth Svenska Cupen last year to move one ahead of Helsingborg's total. The Reds actually don't mind visits to Göteborg, where they have lost just one of the last 10 clashes.
BEST OF THE REST
Germany:
Timothy Chandler – Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Paderborn, Sat. 10:30 am on MyGermanTV+
Fabian Johnson – Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. Hannover 96, Sun. 12:30 pm on GolTV
France:
Alejandro Bedoya – Nantes vs. Evian, Sat. 3:00 pm
Netherlands:
Rubio Rubin – FC Utrecht at Cambuur, Sat. 2:45 pm
