Everton vs. Fulham: the battle of American superstars

Fox Soccer brings viewers the ultimate showdown between America’s three biggest soccer superstars, when Landon Donovan and Tim Howard (Everton) take on Clint Dempsey (Fulham) during FA Cup action this Friday.

Dempsey became the first American to score a hat-trick in the Premier League, when he helped Fulham defeat Newcastle in a 5-2 comeback win on Jan. 21. Arguably the best American to ever play the English game, Deuce has 9 goals so far this season. But how will he fare against the combined power of USMNT mates and fellow Yanks abroad, Howard and Donovan?

Goalkeeper Howard has 4 shutouts on the season, and even made it onto the scoreboard once. (And, yes, that is only one goal behind Fernando Torres.) He’s only given up more than two goals in one Premier League game this season – a 3-1 loss to Chelsea on Oct. 15.

Donovan has already made an impact on the Everton midfield since his two-month loan began on Jan. 4, providing two assists in four games and a much-needed injection of skill and consistency to a weakened midfield. Toffee fans are once again clamoring for a permanent contract between the MLS star and the struggling club.

MORE: Donovan vs. Dempsey: MLS careers by the numbers

Everton and Fulham face off in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Friday at 3 p.m. ET. The game wasn’t initially scheduled to be televised for American audiences, however, after the teams were determined, Fox Soccer worked quickly with Everton and the FA to air the highly anticipated match live and in HD. The last time the two sides faced each other was in a Premier League match on Oct. 23, which Everton won 3-1.

Everton vs. Fulham > Fox Soccer > Friday at 3 p.m. ET

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