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5 to Watch This Weekend

Best U.S. TV Bets: Jermaine, Emerson, Eric, Gyasi, Edgar

What are the most interesting U.S. national team-centric matches this weekend? Don't look to the English Premier League, and we wouldn't bother with the Bundesliga either. Here's your curated guide.
BY John Godfrey Posted
August 29, 2014
6:46 PM
JURGEN KLINSMANN's roster announcement on Thursday heralded a new era for the United States men's national team, even if it didn't quite signify a changing of the guard.

Emerson Hyndman? Rubio Rubin? Jordan Morris?

Yes, yes, and yes.

Of course, the roster also features Brad Guzan, Jozy Altidore, and Mix Diskerud, so it's not as if Klinsmann has turned his back on everybody from the 2014 World Cup cycle. Still, there are new players to track these days, and the vast majority of them play somewhere other than the EPL and the German top-flight. Here's what we'll be watching this weekend.

Saturday

Sheffield Wednesday vs. Nottingham Forest
7:15 a.m.
beIN Sport

Eric Lichaj has done nothing but play well over the past few years, and yet he has struggled to catch the eye of Jurgen Klinsmann. It happened again on Thursday, as Lichaj was left out of the 22-man roster for the September 3 friendly against the Czech Republic. (ASN readers think it's a travesty, according to this poll.) Fair? Poor decision? Is Lichaj being punished for his reported scrap with Eddie Johnson during a U.S. camp late last year? (We think this is a reason to include him.) Regardless, we'll be watching Saturday morning to see if Lichaj has what the U.S. Is looking for at fullback.

Fulham vs. Cardiff City
10 a.m.
beIN Sport

What's this? Back-to-back beIN Sport matches on the Saturday docket. Yep. Eighteen-year-old central midfielder Emerson Hyndman—who, unlike Lichaj, did get a call from Klinsmann—is the primary reason to affix your gaze Craven Cottage on Saturday.(Or would you rather watch Jozy Altidore watch Sunderland play on your laptop?) Like so many Americans before him, Schellas Hyndman's grandson will look to build on the rich tradition of Yanks thriving at the London club.

Toronto FC vs. New England Revolution
5 p.m.
MLS Live

This time last year I would not have walked to the end of my driveway to watch these two teams play. But now, with Michael Bradley leading the charge for the Ontario squad and Jermaine Jones set to make his debut for the New Englanders, suddenly this matchup is transformed into Must-See MLS TV. Good for the league. Now hurry up and sign Mix Diskerud, Mr. Garber.

Atlas vs. Santos Laguna
10 p.m.
Univision Deportes

Edgar Castillo is a conundrum. He's a key player for the third-best team in Mexico, and yet he seems to struggle whenever he sports the Red, White and Blue. I'm going to watch this match closely and assess the situation. Join me, won't you?

Chivas USA vs. Los Angeles Galaxy
8 p.m.
MLS Live

Part Landon Donovan farewell, part Omar Gonzalez check-in, party Gyasi Zardes inspection, it's easy to set aside a few hours to watch this squad. The Los Angeles Galaxy are the most interesting team in Major League Soccer, and it's going to take something special to stop this team from winning its third MLS Cup in the last four years..

So what are you watching this week? Let us know in comments section below.

John Godfrey is the founder and editor in chief of American Soccer Now, and he welcomes your feedback below.

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