U.S. Elsewhere: Soccer Weekend Ahead with Howard V Man U
By Doug Smith
Tim Howard has to put the defeat in Honduras behind him as he faces a major test with his club team Chelsea. They head to Old Trafford Sunday morning to take on table leaders Manchester United. Man U has not lost since November 17th against Norwich. Chelsea has three draws, including two by the count of 0-0, in the last five matches. The last time these two squared off it ended in a 4-4 draw. However, Man U has won four of the last five at Old Trafford against Everton. Howard’s squad are trying to keep pressure on Tottenham.
October 16, 2012; Kansas City, KS, USA; USA goalkeeper Tim Howard (1) reacts after allowing a goal from Guatemala during the world cup qualifying match at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
The Spurs face Newcastle Saturday morning on ESPN2. Tottenham’s current form is much better than Newcastle although the Magpies have won the last two. Tottenham and Clint Dempsey have not lost since December 9th. Spurs coach Andres Villas Boas is still ddebating strategy.
"There is the possibility we will continue with a 4-4-2 and try to find a solution with Gareth [Bale] as a striker plus [Clint] Dempsey."
Tottenham won the last meeting between the two teams 5-0.
Stoke City with Brek Shea and Geoff Cameron take on Reading in hopes of changing their recent form having lost four of the last five. Reading is still in the relegation fight while Stoke are marooned in the middle of the pack. It is unclear if Shea will be fit enough to make the bench, but it seems unlikely.
Aston Villa host West Ham as they try to get out of the relegation zone. Brad Guzan and Eric Lichaj look to find their first Premier League win since December 15.
In the German Bundesliga Jermaine Jones looks to right the ship for Schalke as they take on Bayern München. His story is on the front page of the league website, but they have quite the task ahead of them this weekend. The Royal Blues are still holding onto a Europa League qualifying spot but come off a loss to last place Greuther Fürth. Schalke has gone from second in the table to sixth only up on Mönchengladbach by goal differential. They will also be without Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
Hannover will be without Steve Cherundolo for the foreseeable future as the defender underwent knee surgery. They will play Hoffenheim with Fabian Johnson and Danny Williams. Williams has been a substitute for the last few weeks as his team continues to fight against relegation.
Timmy Chandler hopes to find his leagues for Nürnberg after they won their first match in the new year last weekend. They take on Eintracht Frankfurt.
In Liga MX action week six action includes Club Tijuana versus Club America at Estadio Caliente. This match up highlights the weekend in Mexico as the second and third place teams look to create a small window of separation. Joe Corona and Edgar Castillo should be up to the challenge.
San Luis Potosi takes on Puebla with Michael Orozco Fiscal and DaMarcus Beasley both expected to feature.
Herculez Gomez and Santos Laguna take on Pachuca in the last match up of the weekend on Sunday. Meanwhile Tigres, the table leader on goal differential takes on Toluca earlier on Sunday. Jose “Gringo” Torres has started three games for Tigres, but has only registered one shot.