Edu ready for Champions League challenge

Today's UEFA Champions League action has an exciting fixture for soccer fans all over the world, but specifically for Americans and fans here at the University of Evansville.

When Glasgow Rangers FC takes on Manchester United today at Old Trafford, we will have US international Maurice Edu and former University of Evansville standout David Weir in the lineup for Rangers.

Edu is from Fontana, CA and was a standout for the US this past summer in the World Cup.

Weir, Rangers captain and former Purple Aces All-America, has represented his native Scotland over 60 times.

Another unique tie between Edu and Weir is that Edu's brother - Reggie - had been the captain here at the University of Evansville, having graduated this past Spring.

Paul Kennedy of Soccer America writes about the tremendous opportunity for Edu.

Maurice Edu says the chance to play in the UEFA Champions League was one of the reasons he was attracted to Scottish club Rangers, and he is looking to get a positive result on Tuesday at Manchester United.

"The Champions League is the best teams around the world and you always want to be involved in competitions like that," Edu said. "I knew, coming to a club like Rangers, I would get that opportunity. Unfortunately, the first year we weren't involved and last year I missed out because of injury. Hopefully, I can play my part and really enjoy it."

Edu says Rangers is ready to take on United at Old Trafford.

"You've got to go into games believing in yourselves," he added. "If you don't then you've already lost half the battle. If you mention Manchester United around the world, everybody knows about the club and the history there and how good their team is. But we're going to go there and try and get something out of the game. We'll all be up for that game and aim for a positive result and come back with something."

The only other American in the Champions League this fall is Jermaine Jones, the German-bred midfielder who plays for Schalke 04. Oguchi Onyewu wasn't included in AC Milan's roster for the group stage.