By FRANCO PANIZO

The winter transfer window closed this past Tuesday, and a pair of Americans who secured moves during it will be looking to make their debuts this weekend.

George John and Robbie Rogers could make their first appearances abroad for West Ham United and Leeds United, respectively, as the Championship gets back into a full weekend swing.

photo by ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

The German Bundesliga kicks back into full gear this weekend, and with it could come a direct head-to-head duel between a pair of U.S. men's national team players.

Steve Cherundolo and Fabian Johnson could do battle when Hannover 96 and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim resume their Bundesliga campaigns on Saturday.

By FRANCO PANIZO

If Brad Guzan retains his spot in Aston Villa's starting lineup this weekend, we are in for a treat.

Guzan and the Villans host Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and Everton on Saturday in arguably the biggest match-up involving Americans this weekend.

Liverpool step into the last remaining competition on their calendar, welcoming Oldham Athletic to Anfield in the third round of the FA Cup. The League One side got past Southend United in the second round after a draw forced the home replay, which the hosts won 1-0. Liverpool will be looking to get past the third round for just the third time in six seasons after crashing out to Reading and Manchester United in the past two seasons.

[F]or our first proper post following the big redesign, we are very pleased to welcome back John McGee. Bring Me the Head of Keith Mincher is John's blog devoted to Carlisle United and he likes nothing better than to rail against anyone who disagrees with him on Twitter under the nom de plume of @epouvantail - he's a little smug at the moment given the club's continued robust play-off push.

Photo by Joe Toth/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

Clint Dempsey has made quite the statement in 2011, and this weekend will provide him with a chance to finish it in style.

Having enjoyed a career year, Dempsey's final game of 2011 will pit him and Fulham against Norwich City in a match that could see the Cottagers inch closer to the top half of the Premiership table.

By FRANCO PANIZO

If the Christmas weekend left you starved for soccer, Monday might just be enough to satisfy your hunger.

Nearly a dozen games involving Americans Abroad are scheduled to take place on Boxing Day, including Jonathan Spector's match against his former club, West Ham United.

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By FRANCO PANIZO

Zak Whitbread is on the brink of doing something that he's only done once this season: Start consecutive games.

A week after returning to Norwich City's lineup in a surprise victory over Newcastle, Whitbread appears set to start for the Canaries when they play Tim Howard and Everton.

FA Cup tickets up for grabs

We've teamed up with Budweiser, lead partner for The FA Cup, to give football fans the chance to win second round FA Cup tickets. We have a pair of tickets available for each of the below ties, all taking place on Saturday 3 December: - Charlton Athletic v Carlisle United - Bradford City v AFC Wimbledon - Barnet v MK Dons To be in with a chance of winning, simply fill in the competition form below along with your name, age, postal address, contact details and match choice:

View the full story here: The Mirror

A news article on 2011-11-28 15:22:43 from: The Mirror

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

It must be Thanksgiving weekend, because there are some tasty match-ups involving the Americans Abroad contingent this weekend.

Michael Bradley and Chievo Verona have one of the marquee games, as they take on AC Milan on Sunday.

This marvellous poster was given away free with Soccer Monthly some time during the mid to late 70s. It contains information on 158 teams throughout the British Isles, from Torquay United to Sligo Rovers. Click to enlarge.

There are some terrific kits in there. Bonus points to Orient and Wales for their lovely Admiral numbers and to Cardiff City, Carlisle United and Torquay United.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Domination.

That's one of the words that can best be used to describe Rangers' undefeated season, a season that Carlos Bocanegra, Maurice Edu and the rest of the club will attempt to build on when they face Dundee United on Saturday.

Currently nine points clear of second-place Motherwell with an 11-2-0 record, Rangers should take another step towards claiming a fourth straight Scottish Premier League title if it can live up to its expectations against Dundee.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Michael Bradley may not currently be a starter on the U.S. men's national team, but he'll have a big chance to show head coach Jurgen Klinsmann that he's ready for more minutes.

Bradley and Chievo Verona take on league leader Juventus this weekend in a match that the U.

By Chris Wright

League Two side Aldershot's humble 7,100 capacity (4,000 seated) Recreation Ground known formally and commercially as the 'EBB Stadium' is set to play host to Premier League goliaths Manchester United in the Fourth round of the Carling Cup a week next Tuesday and, with tickets going on sale yesterday, we thought we'd give you all a little sneak peak of the venue that is lying in wait for Fergie's high-rollers (or at least the second/third string of Fergie's high-rollers) in a fortnight or so's time in the form of a photo essay.

As a fan of a Non-League side it's very rare that I have anyone to talk to about the team I support. I completely understand why some people will have little or nothing to say about the Non-League but what really gets on my nerves is when I hear people writing it off as being a poor level of football.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Tim Howard and Everton's start to the season has not been a flawless one, but the Toffees could get momentum rolling if they come up with a win in one of the weekend's marquee matches.

Everton hosts Liverpool on Saturday in the first Merseyside derby of the season, and Howard is sure to be tested as he goes up against Luis Suarez, Andy Carroll, Steven Gerrard and the rest of Liverpool's attacking weapons.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Ever since Oguchi Onyewu was inserted into Sporting CP's starting lineup, the club has done something it did only once during the opening month of the season: Win.

Onyewu has helped Sporting CP come out victorious in its last three matches across all competitions, and as a result, he'll likely get the nod again when the club faces Vitoria Setubal.

News today that James Tavernier will be loaned out to Carlisle United for another two months. James Tavernier in action for Carlisle With new boy Davide Santon being injured in training yesterday, and having to have key-hole surgery on his right knee, the 20 year-old Italian will be out for at least four weeks.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Carlos Bocanegra may be one of the most experienced players on the U.S. men's national team, but he has likely been seeking advice from Maurice Edu in advance of Rangers' upcoming game.

Bocanegra is likely to get his first taste of the Old Firm rivalry on Sunday, as Rangers is set to face Celtic in the first of three matches between the two teams scheduled this season.

James Tavernier has now played seven times for Carlisle United, as the Cumbrians lost their third successive game in all competitions yesterday. James Tavernier - in action for Carlisle Carlisle were beaten 3-1 at home by Hartlepool United yesterday, and Hartlepool move into 6th place in League One with 13 points from their first seven [.

photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

It's been a while since we've seen a U.S. men's national team player play in Serie A, but that looks to change this weekend.

Michael Bradley is set to make his debut Chievo Verona debut on Sunday when the club takes on recently-promoted Novara.

Alan Pardew is much more willing than Chris Hughton to send out the young Newcastle players to get first team playing time on loan at other clubs. Ian Bogie Gateshead manager has good relationship with Newcastle Carlisle United are one of the sides that Newcastle send players to on loan, and another local club where we should see some lads going out on loan [.

Former Duke All-American forward Mike Grella has joined Brentford of League One (third division).
In 42 league and cup matches matches for Leeds, Grella scored five goals – three of them in the FA Cup – and played another 18 matches (four goals) on loan to Carlisle United and Swindon Town.

The Carling Cup 3rd round draw was made today with some interesting match-up's in the offing none more so than Manchester United's trip to Leeds United.

Tie to be played week commencing September 19.

Carling Cup third round draw:

Cardiff City v Leicester City

Wolves v Millwall

Chelsea v Fulham

Aldershot Town or Carlisle United v Rochdale

Arsenal v Shrewsbury Town

Burnley v MK Dons

Leeds United v Manchester United

Brighton v Liverpool

Nottingham Forest v Newcastle United

Manchester City v Birmingham City

Blackburn Rovers v Leyton Orient or Bristol Rovers

Swindon Town or Southampton v Charlton or Preston North End

Everton v West Brom

Crystal Palace or Wigan v Middlesbrough

Aston Villa v Bolton Wanderers

Stoke City v Tottenham Hotspurs

Manchester United have been drawn against Leeds United in the 3rd Round of the League Cup. The last time the teams faced each other was in the FA Cup the season before last, with our hated rivals leaving with a 1-0 win. They brought out t-shirts to mark the momentous occasion, replacing the "0″ with their own club badge.

Liverpool will play Cardiff City in the English League Cup final after a thrilling 2-2 draw at home against Manchester City completed a 3-2 aggregate success for Kenny Dalglish's side. Cardiff v Liverpool Tickets

The Premier League leaders twice took the lead at Anfield thanks to goals in either half from Nigel de Jong and Edin Džeko but the hosts responded swiftly on both occasions with Steven Gerrard's penalty and Craig Bellamy's strike booking a place in the showpiece on 26 February.

Carling Cup heroes Crystal Palace were rewarded for their shock win over Manchester United with an all Championship semi-final draw with Cardiff.

In the other semi-final, Manchester City's Roberto Mancini takes on Kenny Dalglish's Liverpool.

Palace and City will be at home for the first of the two legs, which will be held in the week of 9 January.

The players in Spain have gotten their way.

After going on strike in protest of unpaid wages to more than 200 players and an inability to seek employment elsewhere in the event of future unpaid wages, soccer players in Spain have had their demands met and will begin their respective seasons this weekend.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Tim Howard missed out on the Premiership's opening weekend as Everton's game versus Tottenham Hotspur was postponed due to rioting. But the wait to begin the season will end for Howard as he is set to man the pipes against Queens Park Rangers.

By FRANCO PANIZO

English Premier League defenses beware: Clint Dempsey is back and ready to pick up where he last left off.

Coming off a career season, Dempsey will begin his sixth season with Fulham on Saturday as the Cottagers host Aston Villa on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Robbie Findley did something on Tuesday that he hasn't done in over a year: score in an official game.

Findley netted his first goal abroad, scoring Nottingham Forest's second goal in a 3-3 Carling Cup draw with Notts County that had to be decided via penalty kicks.

Frank Simek and Carlisle United dropped their opener to Notts County while Jemal Johnson and Southend United picked up three points in a home win over Hereford United

photo by John Todd/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

Mix Diskerud may not have been called into the U.S. men's national team for its upcoming friendly against Mexico, but he's making quite the case for himself to get the call in September.

Diskerud continued his strong season with Stabaek IF on Friday, hitting the equalizing goal in the club's 2-1 victory over Fredrikstad.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Jozy Altidore's club troubles are well documented, but the opportunity to put it all past him begins this weekend.

Altidore kicks off his first season with AZ Alkmaar on Sunday, and he does so with a grueling test against heavyweight PSV Eindhoven.

The New England Revolution announced via press release yesterday that they waived 18-year old Nigerian right midfielder Michael Augustine. Augustine hadn't made a single senior appearance with the club, although he participated in reserve league and open cup matches. Given the team's poor play of late, it may have seemed strange to get rid of a player that hadn't had a chance to prove himself useless yet.

Grella in action for Leeds United.
Leeds United forward Mike Grella is training with New York Cosmos, according to Sky Sports.
The New York native represented the US at youth level, and in 2009 he was picked 34th overall by Toronto in the SuperDraft. Grella instead decided to try his luck in Europe, and signed a deal with the Yorkshire club.

USA & Canada Football League XI 2010/2011

In goal I have chosen Brad Guzan (USA) who had a spell on loan at Hull City. Across the back are the quartet Eric Lichaj (Leeds & USA), Zak Whitbread (Norwich City & USA), Frank Simek (Carlisle United & USA) and David Edgar (Burnley & Canada).

French Football League XI

Between the sticks is the unfortunate Romain Larrieu of Plymouth Argyle, he played eighteen games in an ultimately doomed season for the Pilgrims who were relegated to the fourth tier. Across the back is former Spurs and Wigan fullback Pascal Chimbonda of QPR, Jean-Yves M'voto of Oldham Athletic, Maxime Blanchard of Tranmere Rovers and Stephane Zubar of Plymouth Argyle.

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