AMSTERDAM – A handful of Americans have key league contests across the pond this weekend, with Geoff Cameron and Stoke City aiming to get back on track against visiting Chelsea.
All times listed in ET.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Geoff Cameron – Stoke City vs. Chelsea (Saturday, 10 am on ESPN2/ESPN3.com)
The US international (above) should retain his right back place when the Champions League holders drop in on the Britannia, where they haven't won since 1975. All-time, Chelsea are only 12-13-6 matches at Stoke. The Potters will also enter unbeaten in 17 EPL matches at home. However, the Blues could be ornery coming off a second straight Stamford Bridge loss. Ross Turnbull will start in the away goal for the sidelined Petr Cech.
Clint Dempsey, Brad Friedel – Tottenham at Queens Park Rangers (Saturday, 7:45 am on ESPN2/ESPN3.com)
The Texas tornado will look to continue his roll when Spurs cross town to face QPR. Dempsey has four goals in the last five weeks, while Friedel will most likely return to the dugout for the third-place visitors. Tottenham fell at Loftus Road last season. Meanwhile, the home side is dealing with a host of injuries on the front and backlines.
Brad Guzan, Eric Lichaj – Aston Villa vs. Southampton (Saturday, 10 am on Fox Soccer 2Go)
The former Chivas USA netminder will reclaim his place in between the posts and Lichaj could follow suit on the backline. The Villans will try to snap a four-game win drought by coming out on top in league play at home for the first time since November. The Saints have struggled at Villa Park over the years, suffering three defeats and three shutouts from their last four visits.
Tim Howard – Everton vs. Swansea City (Saturday, 10 am on Fox Soccer Plus)
The US No. 1 has posted clean-sheet victories in all three of his career games against the Swans, including a 1-0 job at Goodison last season. Howard should be in a protective mood on Saturday, having watched his 15-game home unbeaten run ended by Chelsea just before the new year. Ninth-place Swansea are performing admirably of late, with a six-game unbeaten streak and consecutive wins on the road.
ITALIAN SERIE A
Michael Bradley – AS Roma at Catania (Sun. 9 am)
Roma have returned from their winter training trip to Florida to get back in the Serie A swing at Catania. Bradley should start as the Giallorossi attempt to halt a two-game road losing slide. The Romans have won just once in seven tries at Stadio Angelo Massimino, and not since their first visit in 2007. This time, they may need to go without top scorer Pablo Daniel Osvaldo.
BEST OF THE REST
Spain:
Oguchi Onyewu – Málaga vs. Barcelona (Sun. noon on beIN Sport)
