FOR most Americans, it’s the time of year when sudden-death competition revolves around all things Superbowl. But for the more discerning Stateside sports fan, Goodison will be the venue of choice this weekend as three of the United States’ most vaunted national team stars enter combat.

Not a New York Giant or New England Patriot in sight. Instead, Everton and Fulham will do battle for a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup tomorrow evening and another step towards a showpiece Wembley date.

In opposition will be two key attacking figures for their country, Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey.

Donovan has already started proving the value of a second short-term loan at Everton, most notably with his threaded pass for Victor Anichebe to equalise at Aston Villa a fortnight ago.

Fulham’s Dempsey, meanwhile, followed his hat-trick in the FA Cup third round win over Charlton Athletic earlier this month with another last week in the 5-2 Premier League thrashing of Newcastle United.

Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard has spent much of his international career observing both at close quarters, and believes Dempsey will be the man to stop for David Moyes’s side.

“From a US national team standpoint, they are the key cogs,” says Howard. “We need to have Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey at their best for us to make waves and win competitions and qualify for World Cups and so on.

“It’s brilliant for me to have played alongside those players for so long and have them line up on opposite wings and getting at defenders.

“For me, they are top, top players and I think they continue to prove that every single year.”

A Goodison clash against Fulham will always have a special place in the heart of Moyes.

But history suggests the Everton manager may well notch an unwanted landmark tomorrow night.

Fulham visit Merseyside looking to extend a remarkable record of never having lost to their opponents in the FA Cup.

And an away win would mean a 150th defeat under Moyes against the team whom it all began with a 2-1 home Premier League win back in March 2002.

The teams have been drawn together on four previous occasions in the FA Cup, with all but one requiring a replay to separate the sides.

On each occasion, Fulham have progressed, the most recent of which came with Moyes at the Goodison helm in 2004.

That record contrasts greatly with Everton’s home league record against the Cottagers, with the Goodison outfit having never lost to Fulham while winning the last 18 meetings. Home comfort, though, has been hard to find this season for Moyes’s men.

Last Saturday’s disappointing 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers means Everton have won only three of their 11 Premier League games on their own turf this season.

That form is a major contributory factor to Moyes’s men languishing in 14th place in the standings rather than, as has been the case for much of his decade in situ, challenging for European qualification.

A concertinaed top-flight means the Goodison manager hasn’t given up hope of a repeat. And, despite Everton being jeered off by sections of the crowd last weekend, Moyes acknowledges the home support could prove crucial tomorrow.

“Over the past five seasons, we’ve finished in the top eight every time and qualified for Europe three times,” says the Scot.

“For a club like Everton, that has to be our benchmark in an extremely competitive market like the Premier League. It’s great credit to the players who have played and worked ever so hard, and continue to do so, and once again we’ll be striving to make it six out of six in the top eight and four out of six in European qualification.

“In saying that, we need the supporters in tough times to get right behind the players and help drive the team forward. We’ll need every roar from supporters to help us climb the table and get through in the FA Cup. Goodison has long been renowned for its atmosphere and I hope you all make sure that’s one thing that nobody can ever question.”

Skipper Phil Neville has echoed the calls to arms from his manager.

“Once again we’re approaching a period where the games are coming thick and fast,” he says. “It’s a testing time for the club but we all know that if we stick together then it can be a successful spell.

“The support we had in the recent away games at Spurs and Villa was unbelievable, and we look forward to that same backing.”

Everton have lost only one of their last seven meetings against Fulham, winning a dramatic Premier League game 3-1 at Craven Cottage in October.

And Howard says: “They’re a tough team just because of how good they are in attack but we’ve shown we can play against them. We will keep it tight and do what we’ve done when we’ve got results.”