Last season, two Americans got their hands on the FA Cup as Chris Richards and Matt Turner lifted the trophy with Crystal Palace. This season, several others are on the hunt heading into the fifth round of the competition this weekend.
There are 16 teams left in the competition, and two of them feature high-profile Americans. Both will play on Sunday.
Up first will be Antonee Robinson and Fulham, who play host to Southampton in England’s afternoon. Robinson played a big role in helping the club advance in their last FA Cup win, putting in a solid shift in a 2-1 victory over Stoke City on Feb. 15.
Later that day, Brenden Aaronson and Leeds will also host an FA Cup match as they take on Norwich City. Aaronson, too, played in his club’s last FA Cup game, converting in the shootout to help Leeds hold on against Birmingham City.
Neither American is on a team favored to win the competition. The likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Newcastle are all still lurking in the field, headlining a group of 11 Premier League teams in the last 16. However, Palace proved last season that this trophy is there for the taking if a team takes it seriously, which should give Aaronson and Robinson hope if they make it past this round.