AMSTERDAM – The weekend brings another tempting menu of European top flight action involving Americans, with Aron Jóhannsson and AZ Alkmaar daring to set foot in Feyenoord's intimidating De Kuip Stadion for an Eredivisie bout over third place.
All times listed in ET.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Jozy Altidore – Sunderland vs. West Ham United (Saturday, 10 am on Premier League Extra Time)
With Steven Fletcher's back apparently feeling better, it remains to be seen if Altidore keeps last weekend's starting place. The US striker has yet to taste victory in three tries against the Hammers, but did take part in a 0-0 away draw last season. Sunderland will enter play winless in four and seeking to avenge a home loss to the Hammers back in March.
Brad Guzan – Aston Villa at West Bromwich Albion (Saturday, 10 am on Premier League Extra Time)
The US No. 1 is hoping to record his first ever three-game EPL win streak, and his team's first since Brad Friedel was between the pipes back in April of 2010. Guzan has yet to lose to West Brom in four meetings, posting a pair of draws in the away clashes. Not only are the Baggies winless in their last five West Midlands derbies with Villa, they are winless in the five league games leading up to this contest.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
Fabian Johnson – Borussia Moenchengladbach at Bayer Leverkusen (Sunday, 9:30 am on GolTV)
Johnson will likely work from the bench again as the Foals aim to upend nearby rivals Bayer, who stand level on points and ahead in goal differential in fourth place. The US handyman has a goal and an assist in six career matches against Leverkusen, with the latter coming on the 89th minute winner in March that ended his personal string of five straight losses against them. As for the recent history between the clubs, 'Gladbach have managed an even 2-2-1 record in their last five at BayArena.
FRENCH LIGUE 1
Alejandro Bedoya – Nantes vs. Bordeaux (Saturday, 110 am on TV5 Monde/beIN Sport Connect
Coming off his first goal of the season, Bedoya should keep his lineup place as Nantes attempt to snap a three-game losing skid against a club that scouted him earlier this year. The Canaries took the series with a win and draw last season, with the American notching an assist in two starts. However, Bordeaux are also 3-0-3 in their last six at Stade de la Beaujoire.
DUTCH EREDIVISIE
Aron Jóhannsson – AZ Alkmaar at Feyenoord (Sunday, 10:45 am)
Jóhannsson will be striving to score in consecutive Eredivisie matches for the first time since February when AZ visit venerable De Kuip. The No. 20 shirt bagged both of his side's goals in a 2-2 draw there last season, his only meeting with Feyenoord to date. In this battle for third place, both teams will enter with four straight victories. Though the Cheese Farmers once struggled in Rotterdam, they are 3-3-2 in their last eight there.
Rubio Rubin – FC Utrecht at Ajax (Sunday, 6:30 am)
The Utrecht rookie will get his first look at the champs and his first taste of his club's biggest derby. Both side have multiple injuries in attack, and Rubin could move from the No. 10 slot to the forward line with striker Ruud Boymans and top winger Tommy Oar on the mend. Believe it or not, the Red and White Army are 2-1-1 in their last four visits to Amsterdam ArenA.
BEST OF THE REST
England:
Geoff Cameron – Stoke City at Crystal Palace, Sat. 10 am on Premier League Extra Time
Tim Howard – Everton vs. Queens Park Rangers, Mon. 3 pm on NBCSN
Germany:
John Brooks – Hertha Berlin vs. Borussia Dortmund, Sat. 9:30 am on MyGermanTV+/FuboTV
Julian Green – Hamburg at Freiburg, Sat. 9:30 am on MyGermanTV+
Belgium:
Sacha Kljestan – Anderlecht vs. Oostende, Sun. noon
