AMSTERDAM — The end of the international break means a fresh European slate of weekend tilts involving Americans. Here are the top tilts. All times are listed in ET.
ITALIAN SERIE A
Chievo vs. Novara (Sunday, 9 a.m.)
American: Michael Bradley (CV)
The US midfielder could start on his Flying Donkeys debut — and yes, that is actually their nickname. Chievo will open their season by facing a team making their first Serie A appearance in 55 years thanks to consecutive promotions.
Chievo came away from the only previous meeting between the two with a 3-0 Coppa Italia victory last November.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Wolverhampton vs. Tottenham (Saturday, 10 a.m. on FoxSoccer.tv)
American: Brad Friedel (Spurs)
The former US netminder will hope to notch his first Tottenham win in order to lift the club out of the EPL basement. Despite his best efforts to make 15 saves, Friedel has seen his net bulge eight times in his first two games with the club.
The visitors, who will arrive without talisman Rafael van der Vaart, have failed to win on the last two trips to Molineaux. They'll want to keep a close eye on Wolves forwards Kevin Doyle and Steven Fletcher, who have combined for five goals in the last four meetings.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
Stuttgart vs. Hannover 96 (Saturday, 9:30 a.m.)
American: Steve Cherundolo (H96)
The Reds captain is back on the day job with his side aiming to remain the lone Bundesliga unbeaten. A point off the top in fourth place, Cherundolo & Co. have allowed exactly one goal in five straight league matches.
However, Hannover have lost three straight at Stuttgart and leaked two goals on five of their last six visits. This time, they must make the trip without top scorer Mohammed Abdellaoue.
DUTCH EREDIVISIE
AZ Alkmaar vs. Vitesse (Saturday 1:45 p.m.)
American: Jozy Altidore (AZ)
After going without scoring in two US outings, AZ top gun Altidore will try to get back in the groove at home. The striker has consecutive doubles and five tallies from his last three competitive games in Alkmaar.
Overall, the Cheese Farmers have won six straight in the friendly confines by a 23-3 margin. However, Vitesse have taken two of the last three clashes there.
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Dundee United vs. Rangers (Saturday, 7:30 a.m.)
Americans: Alejandro Bedoya, Carlos Bocanegra, Maurice Edu ('Gers)
Bocanegra and Edu will likely start, and with Lee McCulloch at less than full fitness, Bedoya could recive his first 'Gers lineup nod.
Currently league leaders on goal differential, Rangers have topped the Terrors nine of the last 11 times out in league play, with eight of those won by multiple goals.
NORWEGIAN TIPPELIGAEN
Molde FK vs. Brann (Sunday, 2 p.m.)
Americans: Josh Gatt, Sean Cunningham (MFK)
Gatt should take up a place somewhere along the Molde right side, while his fellow Michigan teen is still after his league debut.
The hosts will try to inch that much closer to their first-ever Norwegian crown on Sunday; a win means they will be no less than eight points clear at the top with exactly as many left to play. Brann has sure proven no recent impedient at Molde, dropping four straight by an outlandish 19-4 count.
DANISH SAS LIGA
Aalborg BK vs. FC Nordsjælland (Sun. 8 a.m.)
Americans: Chris Rolfe (AaB), Michael Parkhurst (FCN)
The best battle between US internationals will take place at second place Aalborg. Both Americans should start, and if Parkhurst works his third straight contest at left back for the Wild Tigers, the two former MLS stars will be directly facing each other.
Beyond all that potential drama, it is a matchup of two of Denmark's form sides. Rolfe's AaB have yet to lose in seven this season. Meanwhile, FCN have won three of four SAS Liga matches and recently scared the living daylights out of Europa League foe Sporting CP.
BEST OF THE REST
England:
Everton (Tim Howard) vs. Aston Villa (Brad Guzan) - Sat 10 a.m. on FoxSoccer.tv
Fulham (Clint Dempsey) vs. Blackburn - Sun. 11 a.m. on Fox Soccer Channel
Germany:
FC Cologne vs. FC Nürnberg (Timothy Chandler) - Sun. 9:30 a.m.
Mainz 05 vs. Hoffenheim (Fabian Johnson) - Sat. 9:30 a.m.
Wolfsburg vs. Schalke (Jermaine Jones) - Sat. 11:30 a.m. on GolTV
Belgium:
Anderlecht (Sacha Kljestan) vs. Kortrijk - Sun. noon
Denmark:
Brøndby (Clarence Goodson) vs. HB Køge (Brad Rusin) - Sat. 10 a.m.
SønderjyskE (Conor O'Brien) vs. AC Horsens - Sat. 10 a.m.
