Americans Abroad: A Look Ahead

Steve Cherundolo 5 (Getty Images)

By FRANCO PANIZO

Four Americans and their clubs are eyeing a place in next season's Champions League, and winning their matches this weekend could prove vital in their hunt to reach that competition.

Hannover 96 is just three points shy of third place in the Bundesliga standings, and the Champions League qualifying spot that comes with it. Having served a one-game suspension for an ejection, Steve Cherundolo will likely return to Hannover's starting lineup when the club hosts SC Freiburg, while DaMarcus Beasley will be hoping to see the field for just the fourth time this season.

Stuart Holden and Bolton Wanderers are also three points short of a Champions League qualifying spot, but their chances of getting there this weekend are higher. Bolton faces Blackpool, which currently sits in the bottom half of the Premiership.

For Jozy Altidore and Villarreal, this weekend will see them battle to keep their current Champions League spot. Villarreal, which right now is in the final Champions League spot (in third place) in La Liga, is only three points ahead of fifth place Valencia, and the Yellow Submarine needs a win against last-place Real Zaragoza to avoid falling into a Europa League position.

Here is a rundown of who the Americans Abroad play this weekend:

FRIDAY

Quentin Westbergand Evian Thonon Gaillard play Grenoble.

SATURDAY

Frank Simek, Mike Grellaand Carlisle United play Tamworth in the FA Cup.

Brad Friedel, Brad Guzan, Eric Lichajand Aston Villa play Arsenal.

Stuart Holdenand Bolton Wanderers play Blackpool.

Tim Howardand Everton play West Bromwich Albion.

Jonathan Spectorand West Ham United play Wigan Athletic.

Marcus Hahnemannand Wolverhampton Wanderers play Sunderland.

Conor Doyleand Derby County play Burnley.

Dominic Cerviand Celtic play Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Jozy Altidoreand Villarreal play Real Zaragoza.

Oguchi Onyewuand AC Milan play Sampdoria.

Ricardo Clarkand Eintracht Frankfurt play Bayern Munich.

Steve Cherundolo, DaMarcus Beasleyand Hannover 96 playDaniel Williamsand SC Freiburg.

Jermaine Jonesand Schalke 04 play Kaiserslautern.

MichaelBradleyand Borussia Moenchengladbach play Borussia Dortmund.

David Yeldelland MSV Duisburg play Hertha Berlin.

Carlos Bocanegraand St Etienne play AS Nancy Lorraine.

Sacha Kljestanand RSC Anderlecht play Royal Charleroi SC.

SUNDAY

Zak Whitbreadand Norwich City play Ipswich Town. (Whitbread is out injured.)

Maurice Eduand Rangers play Dundee United. (Edu is out injured.)

Amaechi Igweand FC Ingolstadt 04 play FC Union Berlin. (Igwe is out injured.)

Luis Roblesand Karlsruhe play RW Oberhausen.

Charlie Daviesand Sochaux play Caen.

Michael Parkhurstand FC Nordsjaelland play Sonderjyske.

MONDAY

Kenny Cooperand TSV 1860 Munich play SpVgg Greuther Furth. (Cooper is out injured.)

Marcus Tracy, Chris Rolfeand Aalborg BK play AC Horsens. (Tracy and Rolfe are out injured.)

----------------

How do you see Cherundolo faring this weekend? Do you think Beasley will make a cameo off the bench? Expecting Holden and Bolton to win again? Think Altidore will g! et some playing time? Do you see all clubs staying in the hunt for a Champions League spot throughout the season?

Share your thoughts below,



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