AMSTERDAM – Several Americans will suit up for key early season tests this weekend, with Alejandro Bedoya and Nantes ready for a big trip to Bordeaux.
All times are listed in Eastern.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Brad Guzan – Aston Villa vs. Sunderland (177659519" tabindex="0">Saturday, 177659520" tabindex="0">10 am on Premier League Extra Time)
The Villa backstop will try to halt a two-game slide with another solid game against the Black Cats. Guzan has allowed just one goal in compiling a 5-0-2 career record against Sunderland, not allowing a goal in the last 418 minutes in the series. It's not just him, either. Sunderland, which enter Saturday’s contest on a six-game winless skid, have a miserable record against American goalkeepers, going 6-29-10 against US backstops since 2003.
DeAndre Yedlin – Tottenham vs. Tim Howard – Everton (177659521" tabindex="0">Saturday, 177659522" tabindex="0">12:30 pm on NBC)
While Yedlin may well be out the loan door soon (MLSsoccer.com can confirm that clubs from Denmark and Italy have joined the race), Howard is looking to tilt his record against Spurs back in his favor. The US star is 7-6-7 lifetime against Tottenham, but has lost three in a row and is winless in the last five against the North London club. If he can post his third career shutout at White Hart Lane, the American will move to within one of EPL legend Peter Schmeichel on the Premier League’s all-time clean sheet chart.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
Timothy Chandler – Eintracht Frankfurt at Stuttgart (177659523" tabindex="0">Saturday, 177659524" tabindex="0">9:30 am on Fox Sports 2)
With Eintracht struggling out of the gate, manager Armin Veh seems to have gotten over his displeasure about Chandler's USMNT service. The right back is expected to make his first start of the season at Stuttgart, against whom he notched his first career goal and assist. He's since chalked up another pair of helpers against the Schwabians, but he’s also winless in six games against Stuttgart.
Aron Jóhannsson – Werder Bremen vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach (177659525" tabindex="0">Sunday, 177659526" tabindex="0">11:30 am on Fox Soccer Plus)
While the injury to Fabian Johnson scuttled our plans to celebrate a first Bundesliga clash between US teammates, Jóhannsson should keep his place for Werder Bremen. He should also hope for more attention from the playmakers, who haven't conjured many chances in the first two matches. Bremen have traditionally owned the home series against 'Gladbach, but the Foals have only lost once in their last five visits.
FRENCH LIGUE 1
Alejandro Bedoya – Nantes at Bordeaux (177659527" tabindex="0">Sunday, 177659528" tabindex="0">11 am)
Having warmed up with a couple of sub appearances, Bedoya may be ready to climb into the starting lineup. Bordeaux are among his favorite opponents; he has two assists and a 2-0-1 career record against them. Nantes are unbeaten through three rounds, but a bit dinged up. Anything goes in this one, with the teams splitting their last eight meetings (3-3-2).
SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP
Gedion Zelalam – Rangers at Queen of the South (Sunday, 177659529" tabindex="0">7:30 am on Sportsnet World)
After notching a pair of assists in the League Cup on his Rangers debut this week, Zelalam will try to help them stay perfect in league play. Rangers have won all seven of their competitive matches this term and have also taken four of six at Queen of the South.
BEST OF THE REST
England:
Geoff Cameron – Stoke City vs. West Bromwich Albion (Saturday, 177659530" tabindex="0">10 am on Premier League Extra Time)
Germany:
John Anthony Brooks – Hertha Berlin at Borussia Dortmund (Sunday, 177659531" tabindex="0">9:30 am on Fox Soccer Plus)
Alfredo Morales – Ingolstadt at Augsburg (Saturday, 177659532" tabindex="0">9:30 am on Fox Soccer 2Go)
Netherlands:
Rubio Rubin – FC Utrecht vs. Groningen (Saturday, 177659533" tabindex="0">12:30 pm on NGSN)
Norway:
Coach Bob Bradley, Cole Grossman – Stabæk vs. Odd (Sunday, 177659534" tabindex="0">9:30 am)
Danny Cruz, Zarek Valentin – Bodø/Glimt vs. Sarpsborg 08, (Sunday, 12 pm)
Alex DeJohn – IK Start vs. FK Haugesund, (Sunday, 12 pm)
Erik Hurtado, Rhett Bernstein – Mjøndalen vs. Strømsgodset, (Sunday, 12 pm)
Ethan Horvath – Molde vs. Lillestrøm, (Sunday, 9:30 am)
