Southampton will be seeking an immediate bounce-back to the English Premier League but an opening day test against newly-promoted Wrexham could be a tough test for Will Still’s squad.
U.S. men’s national team forward Damion Downs will aim to make his competitive debut at the St. Mary’s Stadium on Saturday. Downs, who joined from German club Koln earlier in the summer, has quickly made a positive impression among his new teammates. The 20-year-old scored in friendly action against Espanyol, with USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino in attendance.
There will surely be pressure on Downs to help Southampton be among the promotion favorites this season, but after scoring 11 goals in the German second-tier last campaign, the young forward should be brimming with confidence.
Elsewhere in England, Josh Sargent could be playing in his final match for Norwich City. Haji Wright and Coventry City take on Hull City in EFL Championship play.
In Germany, Julian Green and Johan Gomez go head-to-head in 2. Bundesliga play.
In the Netherlands, Ricardo Pepi and Sergino Dest open Eredivisie play against Sparta Rotterdam. Zach Booth and Excelsior are back in the top flight.
In Scotland, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Celtic travel to Dante Polvara and Aberdeen.
Elsewhere, Donovan Pines should be in attendance to watch his new club Grazer AK face Red Bull Salzburg. Alex Zendejas and Club America return to Liga MX play. Griffin Yow and Westerlo continue through the early stages of the Belgian Pro League campaign. Konrad De La Fuente and Lausanne face FC Zurich. Benji Michel and HJK close the weekend against Ilves.
Here is a closer look at this weekend’s Americans Abroad:
England
Community Shield
Chris Richards and Crystal Palace face Liverpool on Sunday.
Championship
Haji Wright and Coventry City host Hull City on Saturday.
Caleb Wiley and Watford visit Charlton Athletic on Saturday.
Josh Sargent and Norwich City host Millwall on Saturday.
George Campbell and West Bromwich Albion host Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
Aidan Morris and Middlesbrough host Swansea City on Saturday.
Damion Downs and Southampton host Wrexham on Saturday.
Patrick Agyemang is OUT for Derby County.
Daryl Dike is OUT (Thigh Injury) for West Brom.
League One
Lynden Gooch and Huddersfield Town visit Reading on Saturday.
National League
Aidan Dausch and Forest Green Rovers visit Solihull Moors on Saturday.
Germany
2. Bundesliga
John Tolkin and Holstein Kiel host Arminia Bielefeld on Sunday.
Julian Green, Maxi Dietz and Greuther Furth visit Johan Gomez and Eintracht Braunschweig on Saturday.
John Brooks and Hertha Berlin host Karlsruher on Sunday.
3. Liga
Terrence Boyd and Waldhof Mannheim visit Hansa Rostock on Sunday.
Netherlands
Eredivisie
Sergino Dest, Ricardo Pepi and PSV host Sparta Rotterdam on Saturday.
Taylor Booth and FC Twente visit PEC Zwolle on Sunday.
Zach Booth and Excelsior visit NEC Nijmegen on Saturday.
Scotland
Premiership
Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty and Celtic visit Dante Polvara and Aberdeen on Sunday.
Belgium
Pro League
Bryan Reynolds, Griffin Yow and Westerlo host Mechelen on Saturday.
Marlon Fossey and Standard Liege host Genk on Sunday.
Austria
Bundesliga
George Bello and LASK visit WSG Tirol on Sunday.
Donovan Pines and Grazer AK visit Red Bull Salzburg on Saturday.
Croatia
HNL
Rokas Pukstas and Hajduk Split host HNK Gorica on Sunday.
Switzerland
Super League
Konrad De La Fuente and Lausanne host FC Zurich on Sunday.
Denmark
Superliagen
Jonathan Amon and Vejle visit Gavin Beavers and Brondby on Sunday.
Matthew Hoppe and Sonderjyske visit Viborg on Friday.
Finland
Veikkausligga
Benji Michel and HJK host Ilves on Monday.
Mexico
Liga MX
Cade Cowell, Richie Ledezma and Chivas visit Santos Laguna on Sunday.
Alex Zendejas and Club America host Queretaro on Saturday.
