What to Watch this Weekend
Gold Cup, MLS Headline Weekend Soccer on TV
DaMarcus Beasley, Landon Donovan, and Clint Dempsey all scored when the U.S. hosted Cuba in the Gold Cup in 2005. The Yanks won that game, 4-1, and are expected to win Saturday's match as well.
The United States will look to carry a 6-1 Gold Cup victory over Belize into its wweekend matchup with Cuba. (And yes, that extra "W" was intentional.) Here’s your curated guide to the top TV action.
7:30 p.m. (all times Eastern)
MLS Live
Jack McInerney’s presence was sorely missed by Philadelphia in Week 19. The Union fell 1-0 to the Houston Dynamo and suffered its first setback since May 25—and for the first time since Week 9, the team failed to score. The good news for Philadelphia? A visit from Chivas USA awaits the team on Friday. Problem solved.
3:30 p.m.
Fox
Cuba will pose more challenges than Belize, but the Yanks will be expected to win. Still, there is plenty of intrigue surrounding the game. Who will start? Will Jack Mac get capped? Who will make the sort of impact that catches Jurgen Klinsmann's eye? New England Revolution vs. Houston Dynamo
7:30 p.m.
MLS Live
Brush up on your MLS Cup history before Saturday. Two of the Eastern Conference’s traditional powers will do battle once more. Thanks to the Dynamo, the Revolution failed to capture the MLS Cup in 2006 and 2007. Revenge was served when New England captured a victory at BBVA Compass Stadium in Week 12. Now, Houston must return the favor at Gillette Stadium. If not, the Revolution will take over the fifth and final playoff spot in the East. FC Dallas vs. Real Salt Lake
9:00 p.m.
MLS Live
Just before the summer solstice Dallas found itself atop the Supporters' Shield standings. Not anymore. The Hoops enter the weekend riding a six-game winless streak, and the plot thickens in Week 20. A visit from Real Salt Lake—the current Supporters’ Shield leaders—awaits Dallas on Saturday. Another loss could sound the alarms in Frisco, Texas. Portland Timbers vs. Los Angeles Galaxy
11:00 p.m.
NBC Sports Network
For better or worse, American soccer fans have grown accustomed to after-hours soccer action. This time, it’s the Timbers and the Galaxy taking center stage. Both teams enter Week 20 tied with 30 points, and the two played to a scoreless draw in Week 17. Hopefully, the action will intensify at JELD-WEN Field on Saturday. Just make sure you have that extra pot of coffee on hand, East Coast.
FRIDAY
Philadelphia Union vs. Chivas USA7:30 p.m. (all times Eastern)
MLS Live
Jack McInerney’s presence was sorely missed by Philadelphia in Week 19. The Union fell 1-0 to the Houston Dynamo and suffered its first setback since May 25—and for the first time since Week 9, the team failed to score. The good news for Philadelphia? A visit from Chivas USA awaits the team on Friday. Problem solved.
SATURDAY
United States vs. Cuba3:30 p.m.
Fox
Cuba will pose more challenges than Belize, but the Yanks will be expected to win. Still, there is plenty of intrigue surrounding the game. Who will start? Will Jack Mac get capped? Who will make the sort of impact that catches Jurgen Klinsmann's eye? New England Revolution vs. Houston Dynamo
7:30 p.m.
MLS Live
Brush up on your MLS Cup history before Saturday. Two of the Eastern Conference’s traditional powers will do battle once more. Thanks to the Dynamo, the Revolution failed to capture the MLS Cup in 2006 and 2007. Revenge was served when New England captured a victory at BBVA Compass Stadium in Week 12. Now, Houston must return the favor at Gillette Stadium. If not, the Revolution will take over the fifth and final playoff spot in the East. FC Dallas vs. Real Salt Lake
9:00 p.m.
MLS Live
Just before the summer solstice Dallas found itself atop the Supporters' Shield standings. Not anymore. The Hoops enter the weekend riding a six-game winless streak, and the plot thickens in Week 20. A visit from Real Salt Lake—the current Supporters’ Shield leaders—awaits Dallas on Saturday. Another loss could sound the alarms in Frisco, Texas. Portland Timbers vs. Los Angeles Galaxy
11:00 p.m.
NBC Sports Network
For better or worse, American soccer fans have grown accustomed to after-hours soccer action. This time, it’s the Timbers and the Galaxy taking center stage. Both teams enter Week 20 tied with 30 points, and the two played to a scoreless draw in Week 17. Hopefully, the action will intensify at JELD-WEN Field on Saturday. Just make sure you have that extra pot of coffee on hand, East Coast.
