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.

photo by Michael Janosz/ISIphotos.com

Robbie Rogers made it no secret that he wanted to play abroad once his MLS contract expired at the end of last season.

It appears his wish has been granted.

Rogers has agreed to join Championship club Leeds United, subject to him securing a work permit.

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.

Photo by Michael Janosz/ISIphotos.com

A day after locking up centerback Chad Marshall for the foreseeable future, the Columbus Crew may be on the verge of losing a key figure from its attack.

Winger Robbie Rogers is closing in on a deal with Leeds United, according to a report from England.

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.

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.

1. We will see a starting lineup very similar to the one used against France. The only differences will be Michael Orozco Fiscal for Clarence Goodson (please see prediction #3 vs. France) and DaMarcus Beasley for Danny Williams.

Mike Grella and Brentford escped their FA Cup game with a victory while the rest of the Americans did not find the field for their respective teams this weekend.

In Johnstone Paint Trophy round of 16 action, Brentford's Mike Grella did a hat trick alert one better. See for yourself...- Greg Seltzer

photo by Marc Atkins/ISIphotos.com

Mike Grella hasn't been lighting up the scoreboards ever since making the move to Europe in 2009, but that wasn't the case on Tuesday.

Grella enjoyed a career day by scoring four goals in Brentford's 6-0 win over rival Bournemouth in the quarterfinals of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

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

Seeing German-Americans playing along one another on the U.S. men's national team is becoming quite the trend, but for one weekend we'll see a portion of them doing battle.

Jermaine Jones is set to face off against fellow United States pool players Danny Williams and Fabian Johnson when Schalke 04 and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim play on Saturday.

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.

Anton Peterlin was the only American in action in England during the weekend, as Frank Simek, Mike Grella, Jemal Johnson and Jon-Paul Pittman were all out of action for their respective teams.

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.

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.

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 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.

Barcelona and Real Madrid put on a show during the Spanish SuperCopa, but those hoping to see the two powerhouses in action again sometime soon will have to wait a little while longer than expected.

Players in Spain's first and second division will be on strike for at least the first two scheduled weekends of the season, starting with what was supposed to be Saturday's opening day of the season.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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).

By FRANCO PANIZO

The chase for hardware in Europe continues this weekend, and a handful of Americans are still in the mix.

Sacha Kljestan and RSC Anderlecht are three points behind first-place Racing Genk in the Belgian playoffs, but they can close the gap with a win against the league leaders on Saturday.

By FRANCO PANIZO

It's been a tough season for Jonathan Spector and West Ham United, but they can still manage to climb out of the basement and avoid relegation with a strong run during the final month of play. That run will have to begin on Sunday as the Hammers go on the road to face one of the most talented teams in the Premiership.

photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

If he hasn't already, Clarence Goodson appears to be cementing a starting spot for Brondby IF.

Goodson started his second game of the season for Brondby on Monday, and he helped the club shutout Randers FC, 4-0, with a 90-minute performance.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Like many of the Championship and League One teams, Derby County has two games in a span of three days this weekend, meaning Conor Doyle is likely to get a chance to score his first goal at the club level.

The U.S. U-20 national team striker has not played for Derby County since assisting in the March 12 win against Swansea City, but that should change as Derby faces Burnley on Saturday and Norwich City (and American centerback Zak Whitbread) on Monday.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Oguchi Onyewu will hope to have fully recovered from the hip injury picked up against Argentina, as FC Twente has a colossal match this weekend.

Currently trailing PSV Eindhoven by one point for the top spot in the Eredivisie, Twente has its best chance to unseat the first place team as the two square off in one of Saturday's bigger matches.

It is a quick turnaround for the yanks in England's lower leagues with Frank Simek and Carlisle United hosting Yeovil Town while Mike Grella and Swindon Town welcome in Exeter City.

Frank Simek and Carlisle United dropped another home result, this time to Brentford while Mike Grella and Swindon Town succumbed to League One leaders Brighton.

Frank Simek and Carlisle United welcome in Brentford while Mike Grella and Swindon Town host League One leaders Brighton in a limited slate of weekend English action.

Eric Lichaj not only started two more matches and played them in their entirety, but he also had his loan to Leeds United extended through the end of the League Championship's regular season. Lichaj was brought in as a temporary replacement for the club's first-choice right back, who is nearing his return from injury; however, the extension will afford Lichaj more first-team minutes for a team in the thick of a promotion hunt.

By FRANCO PANIZO

If Hull City ends up getting promoted to the Premiership at season's end, the club might point to Brad Guzan's performance against Coventry City as one of key points of the season.

Having just joined Hull on loan for a second time this season, Guzan made his way back into the club's starting lineup on Saturday.