AMSTERDAM – With Europe again ready to set out the weekend soccer buffet, we're here to give a heads up on the tastiest matches involving Americans. All times are ET.
PREMIER LEAGUE
[inlinenode:327022]Aston Villa vs. Blackburn
Saturday, 10 am on FoxSoccer.tv
Americans: Michael Bradley, Brad Friedel (AV), Jermaine Jones (BLA)
Friedel again faces his old club, which has bested him three straight times in league play. Meanwhile, Bradley is vying to replace the suspended Jean Makoun in the Villa lineup. If he does, he should run up against potential US national team partner Jones. Rovers hope to return Gaël Givet and Christopher Samba to defense, but midfielder David Hoilett is out. Blackburn have lost six of seven and eight of 10 away from home.
Newcastle vs. Bolton
Saturday, 10 am on FoxSoccer.tv
American: Stuart Holden (BOL)
In a fight to stay in touch with the Europa League places, Holden will again battle former Wanderers ace Kevin Nolan in the middle of the park. They're two of the stories of the EPL season in midfield, so it could also be a tussle over a nod in postseason league XI's. The teams have split the last three St. James meetings with but two goals a side. Bolton, who have dropped six straight EPL road tilts, hope to bring back right back Grétar Steinsson. The Magpies have a woefully long injury list, but could return Peter Løvenkrands and Steven Taylor.
BUNDESLIGA
Schalke vs. FC Nürnberg
Saturday, 9:30 am on ESPN3.com/Dish German Sports
American: Timothy Chandler (FCN)
The 20-year old Chandler seems likely to keep his right midfield place with Der Club on a four-game win streak. On his two successive starts, FCN have won both by a combined 7-1 tally. Nürnberg have suffered four straight defeats at Schalke, the last three by a single goal, and also was ousted from the German Cup there in September.
[inlinenode:324102]St. Pauli vs. Hannover 96
Saturday, 9:30 am on Dish German Sports
Americans: DaMarcus Beasley, Steve Cherundolo (H96)
With clear sight of a Champions League place, Cherundolo captains the fourth place Reds, as usual. Beasley is still trying to fight his way back into the selection after an injury recovery. The respective home team has only one win from nine in this series, and Hannover have scored twice on three straight visits. The guests' main injury woe will be sidelined top gun Didier Konan Ya, who is fourth in the league goal chart.
DUTCH EREDIVISIE
AZ Alkmaar vs. FC Twente
Sunday, 8:30 am
American: Oguchi Onyewu (TWE)
It's a new kind of battle between US internationals, with Cheese Farmers technical director Earnie Stewart hosting Onyewu's Tukkers. Gooch looks likely to start at one of the wingback positions. But with Maarten Martens out for the hosts, left back would be the trickier proposition for Onyewu while facing Brett Holman. The hosts are also down to their No. 3 netminder, 21-year-old Costa Rica international Esteban Alvarado. Second-place Twente are unbeaten in five, but have not won at AZ in eight, being outscored 16-2.
Best of the rest:
EPL: Everton (Tim Howard) vs. Sunderland - Sat. 10 am on Fox Soccer Plus/FoxSoccer.tv
EPL: Manchester City vs. Fulham (Clint Dempsey) - Sun. 10 am on ESPN3.com/Fox Sports Premium
EPL: West Ham United (Jonathan Spector) vs. Liverpool - Sun. 8:30 am on Fox Soccer Channel
Ligue 1: Saint-Étienne (Carlos Bocanegra) vs. Nice - Sat. 1 pm. on FoxSoccer.tv
Gambrinus: Usti nad Labem vs. Sigma Olomouc (Stefan Jerome) - Sun 9 am
Championship: Swansea City vs. Leeds United (Eric Lichaj) - Sat. 7:45 am on Fox Soccer Plus/FoxSoccer.tv
2.Bundesliga: Karlsruhe (Luis Robles) vs. Ingolstadt (Edson Buddle) - Sun. 7:30 am
Bank Asya 1. League: Güngören vs. Rizespor (Freddy Adu) - Sun. 6:30 am
<p><em><strong>Check out the Feb. 24 edition of the <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/extratime" target="_blank">ExtraTime Radio podcast</a>, featuring D.C. United's Charlie Davies, </strong></em><strong><em>Real Salt Lake's Nick Rimando and league executive Nelson Rodriguez</em></strong> <em><strong>talking about the new playoff structure.</strong></em></p>
<p><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/extratime"><img src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/davies-banner.jpg" alt="" width="620" height="100" /></a></p>
