AMSTERDAM – Two Americans head into FA Cup semifinals, but only one seems likely to play during a busy weekend for Americans working overseas.
All times listed in ET.
ENGLISH FA CUP
Brad Guzan
– Aston Villa vs. Liverpool (Saturday, 10 am on FOX Sports 1, FOX Soccer 2Go)
Now that Villa have reached Wembley for their first FA Cup semifinal in five years, speculation was high that manager Tim Sherwood would make a change from cup deputy Shay Given to regular netminder Guzan. Despite the fact that the American is 2-0-1 against the Reds away from home in the last three years, Given was handed the nod on Friday afternoon. Adam Llalana and Daniel Sturridge are in doubt for Liverpool, but they will get Steven Gerrard and Martin Skrtel back from bans.
Danny Williams – Reading vs. Arsenal (Saturday, noon on FOX, FOX Soccer 2Go)
Back from injury last weekend, the US midfielder will be itching to start the Sunday semifinal. Not only is it Williams' first look at the Gunners, but it will be Reading's first test against an EPL side in this year's tournament. They are hoping more firsts will be in order, as Arsenal have won all 12 previous meetings between the clubs, including three in FA Cup play. The favorites remain without skipper Mikel Arteta, but Jack Wilshere could recover in time for this contest.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Brad Friedel, DeAndre Yedlin
– Tottenham at Newcastle (Sunday, 11 am on CNBC)
While the veteran goalkeeper's deputy spot hinges on whether nicked starter Hugo Lloris can return, midweek USMNT standout Yedlin will hope to make use of right back Kyle Walker's likely absence by grabbing his first Spurs start. Tottenham, who trail the last Europa League slot by two points and a Champions League invite by seven with six games left, are traditionally one of the least favorite St. James Park visitors. Spurs left Newcastle with a 4-0 win last season and have lost just once on their last six trips over.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
John Anthony Brooks – Hertha Berlin vs. Cologne (Saturday, 9:30 am on MyGermanTV+)
The in-form defender will test his unblemished 2-0-1 record against the Goats. Cologne have managed an even 2-2-1 split from their last five visits to Berlin, though. Just in time to avoid the drop, Hertha have gone 3-0-3 with just three goals allowed in their last six, and Brooks has averaged 3.2 tackles per game (about twice as many as his Bundesliga career average) along the way. Both teams are a little dinged up in the attack, so all signs point to goals being at a premium.
DUTCH EREDIVISIE
Aron Jóhannsson – AZ Alkmaar vs. ADO Den Haag (Saturday, 12:30 pm)
Having suddenly drifted eight points off the automatic Europa League invite with four rounds to play, AZ can at least clinch a invite to play for the other against Den Haag. Jóhannsson scored a goal in the home victory against their western rivals last season. Though they enter this match with four losses in five, the Cheese Farmers are 7-0-2 in their last seven home meetings with ADO.
BEST OF THE REST
England:
Tim Howard – Everton vs. Burnley, Sat. 10 am on NBCSN
Geoff Cameron – Stoke City vs. Southampton, Sat. 10 am on Premier League Extra Time
Netherlands:
Rubio Rubin – FC Utrecht at FC Twente, Sun. 10:45 am on NGSN
Austria:
Conor O'Brien – Wiener Neustadt at Red Bull Salzburg, Sat. 12:30 pm
Norway
:
Zarek Valentin, Danny Cruz (inj.)
–
Bodø
/
Glimt
vs. Odds BK, Sun. 9:30 am
Coach Bob Bradley, Cole Grossman – Stabæk vs. Viking, Sun. noon
Armenia:
Cesar Romero – FC Pyunik vs. Ulisses, Sun. 6:30 am
