[AMERICANS ABROAD] As the World Cup gets closer, games take on greater importance for players who are fighting for berths on the U.S. national team and are playing abroad. Here are five games we'll be following this weekend ...

Saturday, 9:30 am ET: Ein. Frankfurt vs. Schalke 04.
Ricardo Clark might see his first action since joining Eintracht Frankfurt on a tree transfer in January.

Saturday, 9:30 am ET: Freiburg vs. Hannover.
Steve Cherundolo could return to action for Hannover, which is in the midst of a horrible slump. It's lost all seven Bundesliga games since the winter break and hasn't won sin ce Halloween.

Saturday, 10 am ET: Rangers vs. St. Mirren.
Maurice Edu came off the bench to score the Old Firm winner for Rangers Sunday. DaMarcus Beasley was outstanding in the last quarter of an hour Wednesday in Amsterdam. Both need to be playing consistently for Rangers to boost their chances of playing at the World Cup.

Saturday, 1 pm ET: Rennes vs. Monaco.
Since beating leader Bordeaux, Rennes has lost three in a row and fallen into 10th place in France's Ligue 1. (Its goal was a top top five finish.) A lot of the blame for Rennes' inconsistent form has been directed at its defense. Carlos Bocanegra started at left back last week after being taken off at halftime a week before that. Given the U.S. problems at left back, that's where Bocanegra might wind up at the World Cup ...

Sunday, 11 am ET: Everton vs. Hull City (TV: Fox Soccer Channel, live).
Game of the week: Tim Howard and Landon Donovan welcome Jozy Altidore to Goodison Park.