AMSTERDAM – Several Americans will be taking part in key club contests across the pond this weekend, with Jermaine Jones and Schalke hoping to secure a Champions League berth for the fall in their final home game of the season. All times listed in ET.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Geoff Cameron (Stoke), Clint Dempsey, Brad Friedel (Spurs) – Stoke City vs. Tottenham Hotspur (Saturday, 8:30 am)
Cameron is expected to reclaim the right back spot for this tilt, while the Spurs duo may both start from the bench. The Potters can clinch their EPL place for next season with as much as a draw, while the away side are chasing the Champions League. Stoke are unbeaten in three league games, Spurs in six.
READ: Sizing up Dempsey's Champions League chances – can Spurs reach promised land?
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
Fabian Johnson – Hoffenheim vs. Hamburg (Saturday, 9:30 am)
The US international should return to left back after last week's halftime exit, while teammate Daniel Williams remains out. Johnson scored in his only pro game at home to Hamburg, a 4-0 win in 2011. With just two defeats in the last eight, Hoffenheim have pulled themselves to within two points of a safety position.
Jermaine Jones – Schalke vs. Stuttgart (Saturday, 9:30 am)
Depending on what happens with former employers Eintracht Frankfurt at Werder Bremen, Jones & Co. could clinch their return to the Champions League. The American international, who saw red in the early season meeting against Stuttgart, has ended up on the losing side the last four times he suited up against them. However, Schalke have taken 11 of the last 15 home clashes between the two.
ITALIAN SERIE A
Michael Bradley – AS Roma at AC Milan (Sunday, 2:45 pm on beIN Sport en Español/RAI)
Roma's Champions League hopes have dashed much of the drama from this matchup, but any visit to third-place AC Milan is meaningful for the American, who grew up admiring the club. After being swept by them with Chievo last season, Bradley helped Roma claim a 4-2 home win in December. Sunday's visitors are also 4-2-1 in their last seven at Milan.
READ: Altidore over the moon after scoring winner in Dutch Cup final
BELGIAN JUPILER LEAGUE
Sacha Kljestan – Anderlecht at Racing Genk (Sunday, noon)
Kljestan will take his usual place as the Mauves try to achieve a repeat championship. The American has two goals and an assist in nine career games against their weekend hosts. The champs could be knocked out of the top spot on Saturday by Zulte Waregem, but they typically show cool at Genk, where they've won six of seven league matches.
BEST OF THE REST
England:
Brad Guzan, Eric Lichaj – Aston Villa vs. Chelsea, Sun. 7:45 am on ESPN2/ESPN3.com
Tim Howard – Everton vs. West Ham United, Sun. 10 am on Fox Soccer Plus
Germany:
Steve Cherundolo – Hannover 96 at Bayer Leverkusen, Sat. 9:30 am
Netherlands:
Jozy Altidore – AZ Alkmaar at Willem II, Sat. 2:30 pm
Portugal:
Tony Taylor – Estoril vs. Beira Mar, Sat. 1:15 pm
Denmark:
Charlie Davies – Randers at FC Midtjylland, Sun 8 am
Clarence Goodson – Brøndby at Aalborg BK, Sun. 11 am
Austria:
Terrence Boyd – Rapid Vienna vs. RZ Pellets WAC, Sat. 12:30 pm
