AMSTERDAM – The top two US goalkeepers will each hit the road for club duels against international teammates this weekend, with Everton's Tim Howard potentially in line for his 19th English duel with Tottenham's Brad Friedel. All times listed in ET.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Geoff Cameron, Brek Shea (Stoke), Brad Guzan (AV) – Stoke City vs. Aston Villa (Saturday, 10 am)
The Villa netminder will try to lift his side back out of the bottom three against a club that has yet to beat him; to date, Guzan has worked two scoreless draws against Stoke. Cameron should retain a place in defense, while Shea (above) comes into focus with Matthew Etherington facing a late fitness test.
Saturday's visitors haven't won in four at the Brittania, but five of the last six overall meetings have ended even.
Clint Dempsey, Brad Friedel (Spurs), Tim Howard (EVE) – Tottenham vs. Everton (Sunday, 9 am)
If Spurs No. 1 Hugo Lloris can't beat a knee nag, Friedel may make it three Americans starting this tilt. The veteran holds a slim 5-4-9 edge in career meetings with Howard, who will arrive for this key clash on a three-game win streak. Dempsey should return to the home attack, which will be missing Gareth Bale, Jermain Defoe and possibly also Aaron Lennon. Everton, who remain without suspended midfield aces Maroane Fellani and Steven Pienaar, are winless on their last four trips to White Hart Lane.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
Timothy Chandler – FC Nürnberg vs. Mainz 05 (Sunday, 9:30 am)
The US international will likely remain on the right side of midfield for the warming hosts. Der Club are unbeaten in eight, and in their last six at home to Mainz. Their weekend visitors currently hold the last Europa League slot, with another four clubs standing between the two in the table. Chandler has yet to taste victory over Mainz in four tries, but a victory on Sunday could bring Nürnberg to as close as one point from the qualification zone.
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DUTCH EREDIVISIE
Jozy Altidore – AZ Alkmaar at NEC Nijmegen (Sunday, 8:30 am)
Having snapped a seven-game Eredivisie win drought last weekend, Altidore & Co. will now try to put some distance between themselves and the trap door. The US forward has two goals in as many games against NEC, who have often been generous hosts to AZ. The Cheese Farmers have six wins and two draws to show for their last nine visits to De Goffert.
BELGIAN JUPILER LEAGUE
Sacha Kljestan – Anderlecht at Standard Liège (Saturday, noon)
What was once a double-digit league lead for Anderlecht has melted down to a single point as the holders get set for what tends to be a contentious away derby in the second match of Belgium's championship hexagonal. Kljestan, who has started 25 straight games for the Mauves, has only been on the losing side once in his five matches against Standard. However, the defending champs have only one victory in their last five games at Sclessin.
BEST OF THE REST
Germany
Steve Cherundolo – Hannover 96 vs. Stuttgart, Sun. 11:30 am
Michael Parkhurst – Augsburg at Borussia Dortmund, Sat. 9:30 am
Portugal
Tony Taylor – Estoril vs. Nacional, Sun. 11 am
Denmark
Charlie Davies (RFC), Clarence Goodson (BIF) – Randers FC vs. Brøndby, Sun. 11 am
Conor O'Brien – FC Nordsjælland at AC Horsens, Sun. 8 am
Austria
Terrence Boyd – Rapid Vienna at FC Wacker Tirol, Sat. 10 am
Norway
Steve Clark – Honefoss at Aalesund FK, Sun. noon
Mikkel Diskerud – Rosenborg at Sogndal, Sun. 1 pm
Josh Gatt – Molde FK at Brann, Sat. noon
