By OkayGoal
Villarreal kicks off life under new manager Inigo Perez and Alex Freeman will be one of several players aiming to impress.
Freeman made nine appearances for Villarreal during the second half of last season following his winter transfer from Orlando City. The 22-year-old American full back showed positive moments over his first four months abroad, which carried over to the U.S. Men’s National Team’s FIFA World Cup involvement.
Freeman excelled in Mauricio Pochettino’s squad, starting in four of the Americans’ five matches in the tournament. Despite making his World Cup debut, the lights weren’t too bright for Freeman, who walked away as one of the team’s top performers.
He will now prepare to play a larger role for Villarreal this season, starting with Sunday’s La Liga opener against Racing Santander.
Elsewhere, Gianluca Busio and Venezia host Modena in Coppa Italia action. Aidan Morris and Middlesbrough face off with Lincoln City in their EFL Championship opener. George Campbell and West Bromwich Albion visit Norwich City on the same day. Johan Gomez and Eintracht Braunschweig take on Bochum in 2. Bundesliga action. Auston Trusty, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Celtic visit Dundee United seeking to advance in the Scottish League Cup.
Here is a closer look at this weekend’s Americans Abroad:
England
EFL Championship
Sebastian Berhalter, Aidan Morris, Max Arfsten and Middlesbrough host Lincoln City on Saturday.
Damion Downs and Southampton visit Watford on Sunday.
George Campbell and West Bromwich Albion visit Norwich City on Saturday.
Kristoffer Lund and Birmingham City visit Sheffield United on Saturday.
Charlie Kelman and Charlton Athletic host Derby County on Saturday.
Patrick Agyemang is OUT (Injury Recovery) for Derby County.
League One
Lynden Gooch and Huddersfield Town host AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.
League Two
Jonathan Tomkinson and Cheltenham Town host Rotherham United on Saturday.
Spain
La Liga
Alex Freeman and Villarreal visit Racing Santander on Sunday.
La Liga 2
Konrad De La Fuente and Sporting Gijon host Sabadell on Monday.
Germany
2. Bundesliga
John Tolkin and Holstein Kiel host St. Pauli on Friday.
Johan Gomez and Eintracht Braunschweig host Bochum on Friday.
Julian Green and Greuther Furth host Nuremberg on Saturday.
3. Liga
Terrence Boyd and Waldhof Mannheim visit Hansa Rostock on Sunday.
Mason Toye and Ingolstadt visit Preussen Munster on Saturday.
Italy
Coppa Italia
Gianluca Busio and Venezia host Modena on Saturday.
Ben Cremaschi and Parma host Vicenza or Catania on Friday.
France
Ligue 2
Mael Corboz and Grenoble host Metz on Friday.
Netherlands
Eredivisie
Ricardo Pepi, Sergino Dest and PSV visit Excelsior on Saturday.
Scotland
League Cup
Auston Trusty, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Celtic visit Dundee United on Saturday.
Denmark
Superliagen
Matthew Hoppe and Sonderjyske visit Gavin Beavers and Brondby on Monday.
Diego Kochen and Lyngby host Midtjylland on Sunday.
Austria
Bundesliga
George Bello, Sam Adineran and LASK host Ried on Friday.
Donovan Pines and Grazer AK visit Rapid Vienna on Sunday.
2. Liga
Jonathan Amon and SKN St. Poelten host BW Linz on Friday.
Croatia
HNL
Rokas Pukstas and Hajduk Split visit HNK Gorica on Sunday.
Belgium
First Division A
Marlon Fossey and Standard Liege host Cercle Brugge on Saturday.
Poland
Ekstraklasa
Maxi Dietz and Gornik Zabrze host Wisla Krakow on Sunday.
Mexico
Liga MX
Danny Leyva and Necaxa face Club Tijuana on Saturday.
Alex Zendejas and is OUT (Injury Recovery) for Club America.