AMSTERDAM – The weekend menu of European action involving Americans expands with the return of the Bundesliga, including a clash between Timothy Chandler's FC Nürnberg and Fabian Johnson's Hoffenheim.
All times listed in ET.
ENGLISH FA CUP
Geoff Cameron – Stoke City at Chelsea (Sunday, 10 am on Fox Sports 2/Fox Soccer 2Go)
The US handyman should take his usual right back slot as Stoke invade Stamford Bridge, where the Blues have not lost a domestic match since last April. Cameron helped the Potters, who are 5-1-1 in their last seven FA Cup matches on the road, post their first victory over Chelsea since 1975 last month. However, they have not won away in the series for 40 years.
Clint Dempsey – Fulham at Sheffield United (Sunday, 8 am on Fox Sports 2/Fox Soccer 2Go)
With a league match set for Tuesday, Fulham will rest several regulars against the League One Blades. Dempsey, who has six goals from his last five FA Cup outings, is in the provisional squad. The Cottagers have won just once on their last 20 trips to Bramall Lane and have yet to defeat United in five FA Cup meetings, losing four of them.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
Timothy Chandler – FC Nürnberg vs. Fabian Johnson – Hoffenheim (Saturday, 9:30 am)
The Bundesliga returns to action with a clash of Americans. Both are expected to start and should run up against each other, with Chandler at right back for FCN and Johnson (who has three career assists in this series) sliding to left back for the visitors. Hoffenheim are 3-1-1 at Nürnberg, but lost there last season. Still winless on the season, Der Club are obviously in dire need of a repeat.
Steve Cherundolo – Hannover 96 at Wolfsburg (Saturday, 9:30 am)
The Reds skipper is likely to get the nod at right back for this derby showdown. While Cherundolo has a losing career record in games against the Wolves, Hannover have posted shutout wins in his last three appearances against their nearby rivals. Wolfsburg, who despite last season's embarrassing 4-0 defeat generally dominate this series at home, enter unbeaten in their last nine league games.
DUTCH EREDIVISIE
Juan Agudelo – FC Utrecht at Roda JC (Saturday, 1:45 pm)
The Stoke City loan forward has now been cleared to play for Utrecht and stands a good chance of dressing at Roda, what with three members of the attack stable battling injuries. The hosts, who will be missing suspended top scorer Krisztián Németh, have won four straight at home. However, they are also winless in their last nine against Utrecht, who have three wins and a draw from their last four visits to Parkstad Limburg.
Aron Jóhannsson – AZ Alkmaar at PSV Eindhoven (Saturday, 2:45 pm on GolTV)
Jóhannsson and the Cheese Farmers will be hoping to take advantage of some trends when the pay a visit to PSV. The US forward has a goal in each of his two prior Eredivisie tilts against PSV, who are shockingly just 2-6-2 in their last 10 league matches. However, AZ traditionally struggle mightily at Philips Stadion, where they've lost four straight and are winless since 2007.
BELGIAN JUPILER LEAGUE
Sacha Kljestan – Anderlecht vs. Club Brugge (Sunday, noon)
The Mauves should have their derby good luck charm back in the line-up, with Kljestan now seemingly past a December calf injury. Anderlecht have yet to lose a home game against Club with the American on the field (2-0-4), but will be in revenge mode following a 4-0 loss at Brugge in their last meeting. The home side do have one selection issue, though; Thomas Kaminski will attempt to spell injured netminder Silvio Proto.
BEST OF THE REST
England (FA Cup):
Jozy Altidore – Sunderland vs. Kidderminster, Sat. 10 am on Fox Sports 1/Fox Soccer 2Go
Duane Holmes – Huddersfield Town vs. Charlton, Sat. 10 am
Tim Howard – Everton at Stevenage, Sat. 12:30 pm on Fox Soccer Plus/Fox Soccer 2Go
Oguchi Onyewu – Sheffield Wednesday at Rochdale, Sat. 10 am
Will Packwood – Birmingham City vs. Swansea City, Sat. 10 am
Tim Ream – Bolton vs. Cardiff City, Sat. 10 am on Fox Sports 2/Fox Soccer 2Go
France:
Alejandro Bedoya – Nantes vs. Reims, Sat. 2 pm on beIN Sport Play
