There are plenty of Americans playing in Europe, especially in the English championship, and it’s gotten to the point where it’s worth highlighting the best match-ups rather than doling out another tedious list.
There may not be a hotter offensive squad in Europe’s top leagues than Wolfsburg, and USMNT defender John Anthony Brooks and his Hertha Berlin side will have to hope that their weekend opponents’ mid-week Europa League game takes some wind out of its sails. If not, Brooks could have to stand tall against in-form Andre Schurrle, Bas Dost and Kevin De Bruyne. Yikes.
[ MORE: Howard still plans to retire at Everton ]
Ale Bedoya’s surprising Nantes squad hopes to keep its Top 4 hopes reasonable with a huge upset at first-place Lyon. The Canaries have just two draws from six matches and have dropped deeper down the Ligue 1 table.
The Premier Leagues have plenty of work to do, especially the keepers. Tim Howard and Everton need to hold off desperate, last-place Leicester, while fellow USMNT keeper Brad Guzan and Aston Villa will do battle with mid-table Stoke City. Geoff Cameron won’t play for the Potters, dealing with a red-card suspension until Feb. 28.
There are Saturday dates for Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar at Go Ahead Eagles) and Rubio Rubin (FC Utrecht at Heracles Almelo), as the pair look to keep finishing chances in the Netherlands.